VAX 2000
Introduction
The MicroVAX 2000, code named TeamMate, was a low-cost MicroVAX introduced on 10 February 1987.
The MicroVAX 2000 was the first VAX system targeted at both universities and VAX programmers who
wanted to work from remote locations. The MicroVAX 2000 used the same microprocessor and floating-point co-processor as the
MicroVAX II, but was feature reduced in order to lower the cost. Limitations were a reduced maximum memory capacity, 14 MBytes
versus 16 MBytes in MicroVAX II systems and the lack of Q-Bus or any expansion bus. The system could have one Shugart-based disk drive
with ST412 interface and MFM encoding. Supported operating systems were VMS and ULTRIX. It was packaged in a compact desktop form factor with
a folding carrying handle built into the back of the unit for carrying.
A flip of an on-board jumper could change the MicroVAX 2000 to a VAXstation 2000 (see below).
The VAXstation 2000 was a step down in size from the MicroVAX II. Like the MicroVAX II system, it was built around the MicroVAX II chip. Where the MicroVAX II was housed in a small, desk-side cabinet and supported a variety of PDP-11 peripheral devices, the VAXstation 2000 came in a shoe box-sized cabinet. All the essential functions: CPU, graphics display controller, disk controller, and two serial ports were integrated on a single circuit board. Its peripherals were limited to a keyboard, monitor, and mouse, plus up to two fixed disks, and a floppy disk and tape drive. In return for those limitations, it delivered near VAX-11/780 performance for a USD $5,000 entry price. Customers called it a MIP on a stick. At that price it became the highest selling workstation in the industry.
In its first year, the VAXstation 2000 sold 60,000 systems. This demonstrated the principle of elasticity, showing that if you have a capability and you bring its price down, you enhance its marketability.
Memory Expansion
The base memory was 2MBytes. Space for an extra board of 4M, 8M or 12MBytes for a maximum of 14MBytes. Clearpoint produced a 16MBytes
board that also included an updated ROM required for the VAX to accept the board (parity).
It is useful to have a VAX2000 around, if only to format MFM hard disks. DEC MFM disk come pre-formatted when purchased. A regular MFM disk cannot be simply added into a VAX, or formatted on a PC. It must be purchased pre-formatted with DEC's proprietary file system on the disk. The VAX2000 is the only DEC computer that can format MFM disks. The formatter is present in the VAX2000 ROM under the TEST 70 command.
The system board contains most of the functions of the computer with exception for the network interface which reside on a separate board, although the thin Ethernet connector sits on the main board. It is based on the same CPU and FPU chip set as used in the MicroVAX II. The design specification, micro code source and the micro code documentation are also available for study.
The VAX2000 mother board includes the CPU chip, DC333, the FPU chip DC337, 2MByte of DRAM memory, 256KByte of EPROM for boot and diagnostics. There were also four serial ports, a disc controller for floppy disk and ST506 type hard disk, a SCSI controller as a tape drive interface. The main clock generator is 40 MHz which is divided down to 5 MHz which feeds the CPU and FPU chips. As the same board is used in the VAXStation 2000 the board include a 128KByte frame buffer to provide a 1024 x 864 one bit per pixel display. The jumper to select between MicroVAX 2000 and VAXStation 2000 is located on the motherboard.
| SPECIFICATIONS |
|---|
CPU
Source: Text adapted from gunkies.org. |
Guides
| Document Name | Order Part No. | Publication Date | Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| VAXstation 2000 and MicroVAX 2000 Technical Manual | EK-VTTAA-TM.001 | July 1987 | Sales |