DEC 7000/10000 AXP, VAX 7000/10000 Systems Overview

This document provides an overview of the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) 7000/10000 AXP and VAX 7000/10000 computer systems, along with their associated hardware documentation.

It details how these systems share a common hardware platform, enabling seamless upgrades from VAX (CISC-based) to the faster Alpha AXP (RISC-based) architecture while protecting hardware investment. The overview covers system components, I/O expansion, power configurations (including redundancy and battery backup), console operations for configuration and booting, and self-diagnosing power-up tests.

The document also outlines the comprehensive hardware documentation available, categorizing it into user information (shipping with the system, like installation and operations guides), time-sensitive updates (release notes, technical bulletins, diagnostics CD-ROM), detailed reference materials for advanced users and programmers, and service information kits for maintenance and troubleshooting. The target audience includes system owners, customer service engineers, and self-maintenance customers.