DEC-Now&YearsAhead

This document is a marketing brochure from Digital Equipment Corporation (Digital) promoting its VAX family of computer systems. The central theme is that VAX systems are designed for "now... And The Years Ahead," emphasizing their compatibility, scalability, performance, reliability, and comprehensive support.

Key aspects highlighted include:

• VAX Architecture and VMS Operating System: The document asserts that the VAX architecture and its standard VMS operating system (Virtual Memory System) ensure full compatibility across the entire family. This means data can be exchanged, and applications can run unmodified on any VAX system, protecting software investments and simplifying development.
• Broad Product Range: The VAX family spans a wide spectrum, from the desk-level MicroVAX I and entry-level minicomputer VAX-11/725, through the expandable VAX-11/730 and mid-range VAX-11/750, to the high-powered VAX-11/780 series (including 780, 782, 785 models) and the large-scale VAX 8600, catering to diverse needs from individual users to data centers.
• VAXclusters: A key innovation allowing multiple VAX processors and intelligent storage subsystems to function as a single, highly powerful system, offering redundancy, global data sharing, high performance, and incremental growth.

• Comprehensive Architectures:

  • VAX Information Architecture: Provides integrated tools for data management, reporting, and graphics (e.g., Common Data Dictionary, DATATRIEVE, Rdb/VMS).
  • Digital Network Architecture (DNA): With DECnet, it links VAX systems and enables communication with other vendors' systems (like IBM) via various networks, including Ethernet LANs.
  • Digital Storage Architecture (DSA): Ensures data protection, shared access, and high I/O performance through intelligent mass storage servers and flexible configurations.

• Reliability and Support: Digital emphasizes the dependability of VAX systems through built-in safeguards, concurrent diagnostics (allowing maintenance during operation), and low overall maintenance costs. Extensive support services include installation, hardware and software maintenance contracts, training programs, custom solutions, and a user community (DECUS).

• Configuration Flexibility: Customers can choose pre-packaged systems or utilize "System Building Block" options to design custom VAX systems with various software environments (VMS, ULTRIX-32, VNX, VAXELN) and expand them as needs evolve.

In essence, the document positions the VAX family as a future-proof, robust, and adaptable computing solution for businesses seeking consistent performance, simplified management, and long-term investment protection across all levels of their organization.