VAXstation
The VAXstation was a family of workstation computers developed and manufactured by Digital Equipment Corporation using processors implementing the VAX instruction set architecture. VAX stood for Virtual Address EXtension.
VAXstation I
Introduced in October 1984, it was code named "Seahorse", and used the KD32 CPU module containing a 4 MHz MicroVAX I processor.VAXstation II
Code named "Mayflower", it used the KA630 CPU module containing a 5 MHz MicroVAX 78032 microprocessor. It was essentially a MicroVAX II in a workstation configuration.VAXstation II/GPX
Introduced in December 1985, it was code named "Caylith", and was a variant of the VAXstation II with hardware-enhanced, high-performance color graphics.VAXstation 2000
Introduced in February 1987, it was code named "VAXstar" or "Kapri", and used the KA410 CPU module containing a 5 MHz MicroVAX II processor with no cache. It was essentially a MicroVAX 2000 in a workstation configuration.VAXstation 3100 Series
VAXstation 3100 Model 30 (VS42A-xx)
Code named "PVAX", it used the KA42-A CPU module containing an 11.12 MHz CVAX microprocessor with a 64 KB external cache.The VT1300 X terminal was essentially a diskless VAXstation 3100 Model 30, running the VAXELN operating system.
VAXstation 3100 Model 38 (WS42A-xx)
Code named "PVAX rev#7", it used the KA42-B CPU module containing a 16.67 MHz CVAX+ microprocessor with a 64KB external cache.VAXstation 3100 Model 40 (VS42S-xx)
Code named "PVAX", it used the KA42-A CPU module containing an 11.12 MHz CVAX microprocessor with a 64KB external cache. It used the same CPU module and system board as the Model 30, but was housed in a larger case which could hold additional 5.25" and 3.5" drives.VAXstation 3100 Model 48 (WS42B-xx)
Code named "PVAX rev#7", it used the KA42-B CPU module containing a 16.67 MHz CVAX+ microprocessor with a 64KB external cache.VAXstation 3100 Model 76
Code named "RigelMAX", it used the KA43-A CPU module containing a 35.71 MHz Rigel microprocessor with a 128 KB external cache. It provided two separate SCSI buses, one for internal devices and one for external.VAXstation 3200 and VAXstation 3500
Code named "Mayfair/GPX", it used the KA650 CPU module containing a CVAX chip set operating at 11.12 MHz with 64 KB of external secondary cache. They differed by the enclosure used, the 3200 using a BA23, whereas the 3500 used the BA213. As such, they were effectively workstation configurations of the MicroVAX III and MicroVAX 3500 respectively.VAXstation 3520 and VAXstation 3540
The VAXstation 3520 and VAXstation 3540, code named "Firefox", were multiprocessor computers with two or four CVAX chip sets respectively, contained on KA60 CPU modules running at 12.5 MHz. They were positioned as mid-range workstations. The first official announcement from Digital regarding these workstations was on 10 January 1989, although it was a "programme announcement" with no dates or prices provided.VAXstation 4000 Series
VAXstation 4000 Model VLC
The VAXstation 4000 VLC, aka VAXstation 4000 M30, was an entry-level workstation introduced on 30 October 1991. It was code named "PVAX2/VLC". It used the KA48 CPU module containing a 25 MHz SOC microprocessor. It had 8 to 24 MB of memory, using the MS40-BA SIMM, which was a low-height standard 72-pin 80 ns memory module with parity.VAXstation 4000 Model 60
The VAXstation 4000 Model 60, code named "PMariah", was announced on 30 October 1991 and became available on 25 November 1991. It used the KA46 CPU module containing a Mariah chip set operating at 55 MHz with 256 KB of external cache. It supported 8 to 104 MB of memory, with SIMMs installed in pairs. SIMMs used were the 4 MB MS44L-AA and the 32 MB MS44-DA, which both had parity. It was the first VAX system to use the TURBOchannel interconnect. The upgrade path was to the VAXstation 4000 Model 96.VAXstation 4000 Model 90
The VAXstation 4000 Model 90, code named "Cougar", was a further development of the VAXstation 4000 Model 60. Development of the VAXstation 4000 Model 90 began in mid-1991.The workstation used the KA49-A CPU module containing a NVAX microprocessor operating at 74.43 MHz with a 256 KB external secondary cache. The NVAX had a 64-bit data bus to the NMC two gate array. The system module contained eight SIMM slots, and the workstation supported 16 to 128 MB of memory with parity. 16 MB MS44L-BC and 64 MB MS44-DC memory kits were used to populate the SIMM slots. Each memory kit contained four SIMMs with capacities of 4 MB and 16 MB respectively.
The VAXstation 4000 Model 90 supported 3D graphics hardware, the SPXg and SPXgt options. These modules had their own connector on the system module.
I/O was based around the NCA, a gate array which implemented an input/output adapter. The I/O subsystem had two independent 32-bit buses that communicated with the I/O and graphics options available. One of the buses interfaced to a TURBOchannel slot, the firmware contained within ROMs and the graphics options. The other bus interfaced to the Ethernet and EDAL controllers. EDAL was a 16-bit general-purpose bus for I/O. The EDAL controller consisted of a CEAC and a SQWF chip.
Ethernet was provided by the SGEC chip. SCSI was provided by the NCR 53C94, which connected to the EDAL bus. Serial lines were provided by a DC7085 quad UART. The four serial lines were used for the keyboard, mouse, modem and printer/console. A 64-entry FIFO queue was provided for all four serial lines and was implemented by a small external SRAM. Voice-quality sound was provided by an AMD Am79C30.
The VAXstation 4000 Model 90 could be upgraded to a VAXstation 4000 Model 96.
VAXstation 4000 Model 90A
The VAXstation 4000 Model 90A, code named "Cougar+", was a faster version of the Model 90. It used the KA49-A CPU module containing a NVAX microprocessor operating at 83 MHz but was otherwise the same. The upgrade path was to the VAXstation 4000 Model 96.VAXstation 4000 Model 96
The VAXstation 4000 Model 96, code named "Cougar++", was a faster version of the Model 90A. It was discontinued on 30 September 1999, with the last shipments concluding on 31 December 1999.It used the KA49-C CPU module containing a NVAX microprocessor operating at 100 MHz but was otherwise the same.
VAXstation 8000
The VAXstation 8000, code named "Lynx", was a high-end workstation introduced on 2 February 1988. It was essentially a VAX 8250 packaged in a deskside enclosure with a 3D graphics pipeline developed jointly with Evans & Sutherland. It was the only VAXstation to use a Full VAX processor instead of a MicroVAX as its main CPU.VXT 2000
The VXT 2000 was an X terminal using the SOC microprocessor.VAXstation 100
The VAXstation 100 was a VAXstation-branded graphics terminal introduced in May 1983. It used a Motorola 68000 microprocessor and connected to its VAX host via Unibus. It was used for developing the X Window System.VAXstation 500
The VAXstation 500 was a VAXstation-branded successor to the VAXstation 100 with color graphics, introduced in October 1985. It consisted of a MicroVAX I and a Tektronix 4125 colour terminal.Software
for VMS on the VAXstation included Interleaf IWPS/IWPS-Plus, CGS Digi-Design/ORIS, DECwrite and WordPerfect.Mechanical CAE software:
Applicon Bravo,
SDRC applications,
Prime GNC, MCS ANVIL-5000, ISYKON Proren, EUCLID-IS, Unigraphics, MEDUSA