VAX 4000 Model 500A/505A/600A/700A/ 705A Technical Information

This document is the "Technical Information" manual for the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) VAX 4000 series computers, specifically models 500A, 505A, 600A, 700A, and 705A. It provides a comprehensive summary of technical details, specifications, and guidelines for configuring and expanding these systems.

The manual is organized into three main chapters:

1. Base System Description: Covers the core components of the VAX 4000 system, including:

   • A system overview detailing the BA440 enclosure, CPU modules (KA6nn-AA series), and MS690 memory modules.
   • An overview of the system firmware (console program, self-tests, bootstrap program) and power-up procedures.
   • Detailed information on the Console I/O Mode, including control characters and various commands (e.g., BOOT, CONFIGURE, EXAMINE, SET, SHOW).
   • Description of the Digital Storage Systems Interconnect (DSSI) architecture, its characteristics (e.g., 4 MB/s bandwidth, up to eight nodes per bus), and its role in mass storage.
   • Specific CPU specifications for the KA681-AA, KA691-AA, KA692-AA, and KA694-AA, covering addressing modes, clock rate, data path, instructions, memory management, cache details, Q22-bus interface, Ethernet port, and console serial line.
   • Specifications for MS690 memory modules, including performance and capacity (32 MB, 64 MB, 128 MB options).

2. Option Specifications: Details a wide range of optional hardware components supported by the VAX 4000 system, categorized as:

   • Mass Storage Options: Various disk drives (RA60, RA70E, RA81, RA82, RA90, RA92), integrated storage elements (RF36, RF72, RF73, RF74), optical compact-disc subsystems (RRD43, RWZ01), and tape drives (TF85, TF86, TK70, TLZ06, TLZ07, TSZ07, TSV05, TU81-Plus, TZ85), along with their respective controllers/adapters (KDA50, KFQSA, KLESI, KZQSA).
   • Communication Options: Asynchronous multiplexers (CXA16, CXB16, CXY08), Ethernet (DESQA) and Token Ring (DEFQA, DEQRA) Q-bus adapters, synchronous controllers (DPV11, DSV11), and the DSRVB DECserver 200.
   • Real-Time Options: Digital-to-analog converters (AAV11-S), analog-to-digital converters (ADQ32, ADV11-S, AXV11), parallel interfaces (DRQ3B, DRV1W), and a programmable real-time clock (KWV11-S).
   • Printer Interface: LPV11-SA controller.
   • Graphics Adapter: VS30U graphics adapter.
   • For each option, the document provides functional information, ordering details, performance data, configuration requirements, and references to related documentation.

3. System Expansion: Provides guidelines for planning and executing system expansion, including:

   • How to determine if the system can accommodate additional options by listing existing and desired components on a configuration worksheet.
   • Details on power requirements for various modules and devices.
   • Information on expander units (B400X, R400X, SF-series) that increase Q22-Bus slots and storage capacity.
   • A note on configuring new options by assigning control and status register (CSR) addresses and interrupt vectors, typically performed by Digital service representatives.

In essence, the document serves as a comprehensive technical reference for the VAX 4000 series, detailing its internal workings, supported peripherals, and expansion possibilities.