VAX 3100
Introduction
The VAX3100 family of VAXstations were low cost alternatives to full VAXservers. These small workstations featured graphics capability
and performance equivalent to larger VAX systems. For example, the VAXstation Model 76 had performance equivalent to 7 large VAX-11/780s,
yet occupied the same desktop footprint as an IBM AT PC.
The VAX 3100 was based on the company’s second microchip family, called CVAX, the C stood for CMOS. A conversion in technology from the earlier NMOS (N channel, metal oxide semiconductor) to CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) was due to the market’s relentless climbing power requirements.
This second-generation VLSI VAX microprocessor offered 2.5 to 3.5 times the power of its predecessor. It was the company’s first internally manufactured CMOS microprocessor. High performance came from features such as a macro-instruction pipeline, 1 K Byte on-chip data cache, and a 28 entry on-chip translation buffer. The CVAX chip was also much more complicated than the MicroVAX chip. The engineers had to develop the CPU/Floating Point functionaliy in VLSI and develop separate VLSI chips for Memory Control, the Q-Bus Interface, and a Support Chip which included the Time of Year Clock and Serial Line Interfaces. The complexity of these chips added significant challenges to the CVAX project.
The VAXstation 3100 was Digital's powerful, low-cost VAXstation for high-performance
graphics applications. The VAXstation 3100 was a full member of the
standard-setting VAX family of computers that had sold over 200,000 systems
since the introduction of the VAX 11/780. The VAXstation 3100 redefined low-end VAX computing by
delivering three times the performance of previous entry-level VAXstation workstations.
The VAXstation 3100 provided an integrated computing environment that offers a unique combination of desktop VAX computing, industry-standard personal productivity tools and transparent access to distributed applications and resources. Through DECwindows, the VAXstation 3100 enabled both sophisticated and novice users to access all the power of the network through their desktop applications.
Featuring a versatile packaging design, the VAXstation 3100 was configured as a disk-less network node, a standalone workstation, or a system that could simultaneously be a workstation and a server for up to seven other VAXstation 3100 workstations. The VAXstation 3100 could be configured for a broad range of needs, running applications that provided solutions from the factory floor to the executive offices.
High Performance Desktop System
The VAXstation 3100 delivered 2.6 to 7.6 times the CPU performance of previous
entry-level VAXstations by offering the same CMOS central processing unit found
in Digital's MicroVAX 3500/3600 systems and VAXstation 3200/3500 workstations.
The minimum configuration contained 8 MBytes of memory and was expandable to 32
MBytes. Each VAXstation 3100 system contained a single plane of 1024 x 864
video resolution, with an 8-plane graphics co-processor available as an option.
Both 15-inch and 19-inch monochrome and color monitors were available.
The VAXstation 3100 offered a choice of Digital's powerful 32-bit operating systems: VMS or ULTRIX. VMS is Digital's general-purpose, virtual-memory operating system that runs on all VAX systems, from the desktop to the data center. ULTRIX is Digital's native-mode UNIX operating system as well as the first POSIX-compliant operating system in the industry.
The VAXstation 3100 environment was further enhanced by Desktop-VMS Software. Based on DECwindows and compact disc drive technology, Desktop-VMS Software brings a new level of simplicity to the previously complicated tasks of installing and managing standalone workstations or connected groups of workstations. As distributed computing reached into new areas of organizations, new system management requirements were needed. Desktop-VMS Software enabled individuals with minimal system management experience to effectively manage their own systems or Workgroups, so more experienced systems personnel can focus on higher-level system management tasks.
Multiple networking protocols are supported by both VMS and ULTRIX, so an administrator can choose between TCP/IP and DECnet/OSI. Workgroups van be created by using either VAXcluster software (VMS) or NFS (ULTRIX).
DECWindows
With DECwindows running on a VAXstation 3100, a user could enjoy the same
advanced user interface regardless of the underlying operating system.
Digital's DECwindows is a high-performance, network-transparent windowing
system. It is a superset of the industry-standard X Window System Digital has
implemented for the ULTRIX, VMS, and MS-DOS operating systems. Through
DECwindows a user can view the output from any X application running on the
network, just as any X-compliant VAXstation 3100 application can be displayed
on other systems that conform to the X standard.
DECwindows uses Digital's X User Interface (XUI), ensuring a consistent look
and feel that is independent of hardware platform or operating system.
Standard applications delivered with DECwindows include mail and VT320
emulation (with ReGIS capability) as well as a number of other personal
productivity applications. Digital also offered layered products (available
separately) for the DECwindows environment that supported compound document
processing, graphics, and decision support. Many popular third-party
applications were also available on the DECwindows platform.
Investment in VMS VAXstation applications was protected because the VAXstation 3100 separately supported the VAX Workstation Software User Interface System (VWS/UIS). Investment protection continued with ULTRIX VAXstations because current applications would run without modification.
Model 30/40 Configurations
The VAXstation 3100 was available in two compact desktop packages - the Model 30
and the Model 40. Each system offered equal computing power, memory expansion,
and display capabilities, but differed in the amount of internal storage
capacity.
The VAXstation 3100 Model 30 was a compact desktop system that can be configured in three ways: (1) a complete starter system with disk and load/backup device; (2) a satellite workstation either disk-less or with paging/swapping disks; (3) a network workstation with disks to permit use as a connected yet independent system. The Model 30 system unit supported either three 3.5-inch half-height devices for a maximum of 208 MBytes of internal disk storage and a 1.44-MByte PS/2-compatible floppy or a combination of one 3.5-inch half-height device and one 5.25-inch half-height device for a maximum of 104 MBytes of internal disk storage with a TZ30 95MByte streaming tape.
The Model 40 featured a slightly larger system enclosure (approximately two inches taller) and could accommodate three 3.5-inch half-height disks and two 5.25-inch half-height load devices. This result was a 312-MByte system that has both a TZ30 95MByte streaming tape and an RRD40 Compact Disc Drive (providing 600MBytes of storage capacity) internal to the system box. This package, configured with 16MBytes of memory and dual SCSI channels enabled the Model 40 to become a "Serverstation", functioning as a server for up to seven other disk-less VAXstation 3100 workstations. At the same time, the Serverstation wad also a fully-functional workstation for an individual user. The Serverstation capability greatly reduced the entry-level cost of the VAXstation 3100 Model 40 for a small workgroup. A special version of the VAXserver 3400 was available for larger workgroups.
The Model 30 and Model 40 packages allowed for external storage and load expansion such as 332MByte full-height hard disks, 600MByte compact disc drives, and TK50 95MByte streaming tapes via the SCSI port. Both the Model 30 and Model 40 used this external port to enable future expansion using a variety of third-party peripherals.
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 disk-less VAXstation 3100 Model 30, running the VAXELN operating system.
The VXT2000 was an X terminal using the VAX II microprocessor set. This system was also essentially a VAXstation without any mass
storage and set up to network boot a VAXeln image that allowed it to be an X-Windows terminal.
| SPECIFICATIONS |
|---|
CPU
|
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.
| SPECIFICATIONS |
|---|
CPU
|
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.
| SPECIFICATIONS |
|---|
CPU
|
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.
| SPECIFICATIONS |
|---|
CPU
|
VAXstation 3100 Model 76
Code named "RigelMAX", it used the KA43-A CPU module containing a 35.71 MHz (28ns) Rigel microprocessor with a 128 KB external cache.
It provided two separate SCSI buses, one for internal devices and one for external.
| SPECIFICATIONS |
|---|
CPU
|
VAX MIL-SPEC Computers
VAX systems, due to their performance, network capabilities, and scalability found their way into many military and Department of Defense applications. Developers developed military/DoD programs for Command, Control, Communication, and Intelligence (C3I) applications.
United Technologies’ Norden Systems, a prime contractor located in New Hampshire, licensed the VAX architecture and developed a militarized version of the VAX on a chip called the MIL VAX II. The system’s cost was five times that of a commercial VAX system, but ran significantly faster than its civilian brother. This system met military environmental testing standards, including temperature, vibration, shock, salt, fog, dust, explosive atmosphere, and humidity. MIL VAX II was suited for database management, command, control, and intelligence operations aboard ships and airplanes and in-land installations.
Over the years, other VAX systems have been “ruggedized” by many third-party DoD contractors for use in less severe military applications. These systems were used on shipboard and mobile applications where they had to withstand the rigors of shock and vibration.
MIL VAX computers were also manufactured by Raytheon under license from Digital. The CPU card below was based on the CVAX architecture. The VAX chips are enclosed in military grade surface mount packages.
Guides
| Document Name | Order Part No. | Publication Date | Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| VMS Installation and Operations VAXstation 3100, MicroVAX 3100 Series | AA-NY74B-TE | January 1990 | SW |
| VAXstation 3100 Model 40 Owner's Manual | EK-266AA-OM-001 | January 1989 | HW |
| VAXstation 3100 Cover Letter | EK-393AA-CL-001 | December 1989 | SW |
| MicroVAX 3100 and VAXserver 3100 Owner's Manual | EK-A0371-OM-002 | August 1989 | HW |
| MicroVAX 3100 Model 85/95 Operator Information | EK-A0717-OP.801 | June 1994 | HW |
| MicroVAX 3100 Model 85/95 Customer Technical Information | EK-A0718-TI | June 1994 | HW |
| MicroVAX 3100 Model 85/95 Troubleshooting and Diagnostic Information | EK-A0719-TM.801 | June 1994 | HW |
| PV 3100 Field Maintenance Print Set | NA | January 1989 | HW |