HP OpenVMS Systems

Help identifying MicroVAX?

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The Question is:

 
thanks before i start wizzard...
 
i acquired a piece of equipment that i was lead to believe was a UNIX
Server.
 
it is:
         Digital
         Model: 640QR-B2
         Series: BA215
 
what do i have?
 
are manuals (white papers) available?
 
is it possible to install UNIX on it?
 
what are your recogmondations to do with it (be civil)?
 
do you mind me writing back and asking more questions once you respond?
 
thank you
 
Keith
 
 

The Answer is :

 
  From the information you have provided, the system is probably a
  MicroVAX 3300. It is based on a Q-BUS with DSSI disks.  It is roughly
  10 years old.
 
  The BA215 is a narrow cabinet providing 6 QBUS slots and 3 drive bays.
  The BA213 cabinet is compatible with this system, and will double the
  number of Q-bus slots available and add additional room for storage.
 
  The MicroVAX 3300 system could run OpenVMS, Ultrix (obsolete), or any
  other flavor of Unix which will run on a VAX.  (Though the OpenVMS
  Wizard is not the appropriate source for information and suggestions
  on UNIX -- a hobbyist version of OpenVMS is available, please see
  the OpenVMS FAQ for details.)
 
  The MicroVAX 3300 is not especially fast (around 2.5 VUPs) and has
  fairly modest memory and disk capacity by todays standards -- this
  system has a maximum of 52 MB using three 16 MB MS650 modules plus
  the 4 MB resident on the KA640 system board.  The RF74 3.57 GB full
  height drives, or SCSI via HSD adapter.  There are Q-BUS adapters for
  a wide variety of devices, including SCSI tapes and CD-ROMs (but not
  magnetic disks) via KZQSA.  The KA640 module has onboard ethernet and
  one serial port.
 
  Further, for the speed and capacity the MicroVAX 3300 consumes rather
  more power than a more modern system.  On the other hand, it is built
  like a military tank and is highly reliable, even by today's standards:
  the Wizard recently saw a MicroVAX 3300 which had been running almost
  continuously for 9 years and had a total of only 30 power cycles in that
  time - uptime and power cycles can be determined from the DSSI disks.
 

  

     

     
answer written or last revised on ( 15-FEB-1999 )
     
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