DECsystem

DECsystem was a line of server computers from Digital Equipment Corporation. They were based on MIPS architecture processors and ran DEC's version of the UNIX operating system, called Ultrix. They ranged in size from workstation-style desktop enclosures to large pedestal cabinets.

The DECsystem (or DECSYSTEM) name was also used for later models of the PDP-10 mainframe, namely the DECsystem-10 and DECSYSTEM-20 series.

Models

DECsystem 3100

Identical to the DECstation 3100, but was intended to be used as a multiuser system. It was announced in early May 1989 at the UniForum exhibition in San Francisco. It was shipped in June 1989. Code name PMAX.^[1]

DECsystem 5000 Series

Rebranded Personal DECstation 5000 Series without any graphics. Code name MAXINE.

DECsystem 5000 Model 100 Series

Rebranded DECstation 5000 Model 100 Series without any graphics. Codename 3MIN.

DECsystem 5000 Model 200 Series

Rebranded DECstation 5000 Model 200 Series without any graphics. Code name 3MAX. (5000/260 3MAX+)

DECsystem 5100

A desktop uniprocessor entry-level server. It replaced the DECsystem 3100. Code name MIPSMATE.

DECsystem 5400

A pedestal uniprocessor system based on the Q-Bus. It shared many hardware options with the 3x00-series MAYFAIR VAXes, including TK70 tape drive, MS650-BA memory and DSSI disk drives. SCSI was not available except with third party add in hardware. The unit shipped with a MicroVAX diagnostic processor, which would run similar ROM diagnostics to the MicroVAX series, as well as boot the tape based MicroVAX Diagnostic TK70 tape. Once the console transferred control of the computer to the MIPS processor the MicroVAX sat essentially unused until the next boot. Code name MIPSFAIR.

DECsystem 5500

A pedestal uniprocessor system based on the Q-Bus. It replaced the DECsystem 5400. The 5500 came with native SCSI support, as well as support for DSSI disk drives. Code name MIPSFAIR-2.

The DECsystem 5500 is shipped in a BA430 enclosure, which provides a 12-slot backplane and room for four mass storage devices. The base system contains the following:

   * A KN220-AA module set. This consists of a KN220 I/O module in slot 1 and a KN220 CPU module in slot 2.
     The CPU module contains:
         o 30 MHz R3000 CPU with R3010 FPU.
         o 512 kBytes of Prestoserve (NFS accelerator) battery backed RAM. 
     The I/O module contains:
         o Q22-bus interface
         o SGEC Second Generation Ethernet Controller
         o DSSI Digital Storage System Interconnect port
         o SII-based SCSI port. 
   * From 1 to 4 MS220-AA 32MB memory modules, installed in slots 3 through 7.

DECsystem 5800 Series

The DECsystem 5800 Series are high-end multiprocessor systems. The series comprised the DECsystem 5810, 5820, 5830, and 5840, with the third digit referring to the number of processors. These systems can be considered to be the MIPS/RISC alternatives of the VAX 6000 operating the XMI and BI bus.^[2] The 5810 and 5820, using 25 MHz R3000 microprocessors and R3010 floating-point coprocessors, were introduced on 11 July 1989.^[2] Code name ISIS.

DECsystem 5900 and DECsystem 5900/260

The DECsystem 5900 and DECsystem 5900/260 are rack-mounted DECstation 5000 Model 240 and DECstation Model 260 workstations, respectively, positioned as mid-range servers by Digital. The DECsystem 5900 was introduced in early December 1991.^[3] Both models were discontinued on 28 January 1994. Their intended replacement was the DEC 3000 Model 800S AXP packaged in a similar rack-mountable enclosure.

The DECstation system module is repackaged in a CPU drawer, which is mounted in a rack with a mounting kit which permits the drawer to be slid in and out. The CPU module also contained an integrated TURBOchannel Extender, the power supply and a blower, which cooled the system. However, as the system module that these systems use does not feature multiprocessing capabilities, the presence of two CPU drawers in a rack simply meant that there were two separate systems. The mass storage drawers, in such a case, would be divided between the CPU drawers, with a minimum of one per a CPU drawer.

There are two models of mass storage drawers. One model may contain one to four 5.25-inch full-height non-removable, one 5.25-inch full-height removable or non-removable and two 5.25-inch half-height removable devices. The other model may contain one to five 5.25-inch full-height non-removable, one 5.25-inch removable and two 5.25-inch half-height removable devices. In both models, a 400 W power supply is located at the rear of the drawer.

The H9A00 enclosure, a 19-inch rack, contains a minimum of one CPU drawer and one mass storage drawer. A power controller at the bottom of the enclosure distributed power to the CPU and mass storage drawers. The rack can contain a maximum of two CPU drawers and four mass storage drawers.

The DECsystem 5900 has a width of 61 cm (24 in), a height of 170 cm (66.9 in), a depth of 86.4 cm (34 in) and a weight of 265 to 485 kg (480 to 1,070 lb) depending on the configuration.

See also

• DECstation
• PDP-10
• K-RM-58AMA-0-0 Rev A, DECSystem 5800 System Revision Matrix, 1989
• http://www.netbsd.org/ports/pmax/models.html

References

1. ^ Computergram. "DEC Pulls Multi-User MIPS RISC Rabbit out of UniForum Hat". Computer Business Review, 3 March 1989.
2. ^ ^{a b} Computergram. "DEC Announcements". Computer Business Review. 12 July 1989.
3. ^ Craig Stedman. "DEC adds RISC/Unix stations". Electronic News, December 9, 1991.