VAX 4000 Model 300 Technical Information

This document, "VAX 4000 Model 300 Technical Information," published by Digital Equipment Corporation in March 1990, provides a comprehensive technical overview of the VAX 4000 Model 300 system.

The manual is organized into three main chapters:

1. Base System Description: This section details the core components, including the BA440 enclosure, a 12-slot backplane, the KA670-AA/-BA Central Processing Unit (CPU) module (installed in slot 5), and the MS670-BA memory modules (up to four, in slots 1-4). It covers the system's firmware (console program, self-tests, bootstrap), power-on procedures, and the Console I/O Mode for system control, including a list of commands and control characters. A key feature highlighted is the Digital Storage System Interconnect (DSSI) architecture, with the KA670 CPU supporting two DSSI bus interfaces for mass storage, enabling up to 16 nodes (2 DSSI interfaces and 14 Integrated Storage Assemblies or ISAs). Detailed specifications for the KA670 CPU and MS670-BA memory, covering performance, power, and various interfaces (Ethernet, console serial line), are provided.

2. Option Specifications: This chapter extensively lists the specifications for various optional components supported by the VAX 4000 Model 300 system, grouped into:

   • Mass Storage: Includes internal devices like TK70 tape drives and RF-series Integrated Storage Assemblies (ISAs), and external options such as RRD40 compact disk subsystems, TU81-Plus and TSV05 tape drives, and RA-series disk drives, along with their respective controllers (e.g., KDA50, KFQSA, KLESI).
   • Communications: Covers asynchronous multiplexers (CXA16, CXB16, CXY08), Ethernet controllers (DESQA), synchronous controllers (DPV11, DSV11), and the DSRVB DECserver 200.
   • Real-Time: Details digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters (AAV11-S, ADQ32, ADV11-S, AXV11), parallel interfaces (DRQ3B, DRV1W), industrial controllers (IBQ01, IEQ11), and a programmable real-time clock (KWV11-S).
   • Printers: Lists various types, including line printers (LPV11-SA, LG series, LP29), dot matrix (LA series), ink jet (LJ series), laser (LN03 series), and letter-quality daisy wheel printers (LQP series).
   • Memory: Describes the MRV11-D programmable read-only memory module. For each option, the document typically provides functional information, ordering details, performance metrics, physical specifications, configuration information, and related documentation.

3. System Expansion: This section offers guidance on planning system expansion, emphasizing the need to assess if additional options can be accommodated. It provides a "Configuration Worksheet" to help users calculate power requirements for new modules and mass storage devices, advising consultation with Digital sales representatives for complex configurations due to potential loads and cabling.

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