VAX 4000 Model 300 Technical Information

This document, "VAX 4000 Model 300 Technical Information" by Digital Equipment Corporation, provides a technical summary of the VAX 4000 Model 300 system and its supported components.

The manual is organized into three main parts:

1. Base System Description: Details the core VAX 4000 Model 300 hardware, including the BA440 enclosure (with a 12-slot backplane), the KA670-AA/BA Central Processing Unit (CPU) module, and MS670-BA/CA memory modules (supporting up to 512 Mbytes total). It describes the system's firmware (console program, self-tests, bootstrap) and how to control the system via console I/O mode commands. A key feature is the integrated Digital Storage Systems Interconnect (DSSI) architecture, with two 4 Mbytes/second DSSI bus interfaces supporting up to 14 Integrated Storage Elements (ISEs) and enabling dual-host configurations for enhanced performance.
2. Option Specifications: Lists and provides detailed specifications for various optional hardware components that can be added to the system. These options are categorized into:
   • Mass Storage: Includes a wide range of disk drives (RA-series, RF-series ISEs), CD-ROM subsystems (RRD40, RRD42), and various tape drives (TF-series, TK-series, TLZ-series, TSZ-series, TSV-series, TU81-Plus), along with their respective controllers.
   • Communications: Covers asynchronous and synchronous multiplexers, Token Ring and Ethernet Q-bus adapters, and asynchronous controllers with integral modems.
   • Real-Time: Describes various controllers and converters (e.g., digital-to-analog, analog-to-digital, programmable real-time clocks) designed for interfacing with laboratory or manufacturing processes.
   • Printer Interface: Details the LPV11-SA printer interface.
   • Graphics Adapter: Specifies the VS30U high-resolution color graphics adapter. For each option, the document provides functional information, ordering details, performance metrics, physical specifications, and configuration notes.
3. System Expansion: Offers guidelines and worksheets for planning system upgrades, including details on expanders that can add Q22-Bus slots and storage capacity. It emphasizes the importance of consulting a Digital sales representative for complex configurations to ensure compatibility and account for power and bus load limitations.

In essence, the document serves as a comprehensive technical reference for understanding, configuring, and expanding the VAX 4000 Model 300 system.