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HP OpenVMS Systemsask the wizard |
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The Question is:
thanks before i start wizzard...
i acquired a piece of equipment that i was lead to believe was a UNIX
Server.
it is:
Digital
Model: 640QR-B2
Series: BA215
what do i have?
are manuals (white papers) available?
is it possible to install UNIX on it?
what are your recogmondations to do with it (be civil)?
do you mind me writing back and asking more questions once you respond?
thank you
Keith
The Answer is : From the information you have provided, the system is probably a MicroVAX 3300. It is based on a Q-BUS with DSSI disks. It is roughly 10 years old. The BA215 is a narrow cabinet providing 6 QBUS slots and 3 drive bays. The BA213 cabinet is compatible with this system, and will double the number of Q-bus slots available and add additional room for storage. The MicroVAX 3300 system could run OpenVMS, Ultrix (obsolete), or any other flavor of Unix which will run on a VAX. (Though the OpenVMS Wizard is not the appropriate source for information and suggestions on UNIX -- a hobbyist version of OpenVMS is available, please see the OpenVMS FAQ for details.) The MicroVAX 3300 is not especially fast (around 2.5 VUPs) and has fairly modest memory and disk capacity by todays standards -- this system has a maximum of 52 MB using three 16 MB MS650 modules plus the 4 MB resident on the KA640 system board. The RF74 3.57 GB full height drives, or SCSI via HSD adapter. There are Q-BUS adapters for a wide variety of devices, including SCSI tapes and CD-ROMs (but not magnetic disks) via KZQSA. The KA640 module has onboard ethernet and one serial port. Further, for the speed and capacity the MicroVAX 3300 consumes rather more power than a more modern system. On the other hand, it is built like a military tank and is highly reliable, even by today's standards: the Wizard recently saw a MicroVAX 3300 which had been running almost continuously for 9 years and had a total of only 30 power cycles in that time - uptime and power cycles can be determined from the DSSI disks.
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