VAXstation

VAXstation

Company type	Product line
Industry	Computer workstations
Founded	May 1983
Founder	Digital Equipment Corporation
Products	Workstation computers based on VAX instruction set architecture

The VAXstation series represents a now-obsolete line of workstation computers created by Digital Equipment Corporation that utilized processors based on the VAX instruction set architecture. These systems were commonly delivered with either the OpenVMS or ULTRIX operating systems installed. Numerous models had analogous MicroVAX versions, primarily distinguished by the lack of integrated graphics hardware.

VAXstation 100

Introduced by Digital in May 1983 for the VAX-11 family, the VAXstation 100 was designed as an intelligent graphics terminal. As Digital’s inaugural VAX workstation hardware, it was developed as a graphics terminal due to the absence of a standalone VLSI VAX CPU during its initial design phase in 1981. Its architecture was influenced by two internal initiatives: SUVAX (Single User VAX) and a Smalltalk-80 adaptation for the VAX-11/780 featuring a bitmap display, with the latter significantly shaping the final design. Digital recommended deployment scenarios ranged from multiple VAXstation 100 units linked to a large VAX-11/78x system to individual terminals connected to smaller hosts such as the VAX-11/725 for dedicated single-user environments.

The VAXstation 100 included a desk-side chassis housing a Motorola 68000 CPU, a specialized bit blit accelerator constructed from AMD 2901 bit-slice components, and 640KB of memory (128KB dedicated to CPU operations and a 512KB frame buffer). It interfaced with a 19-inch monochrome display, an LK201 keyboard, mouse, and optionally offered support for a graphics tablet and a five-button puck device. Connectivity to the host VAX was established via a fibre optic cable extending up to 300 meters, terminating at a Unibus card known as the Unibus Window Module. While application processing took place on the host’s VAX CPU, rendering tasks were handled by the VAXstation’s processor, which had direct access to a 256KB segment of host memory for efficient data and command exchange.

Digital’s proprietary software package, VAX Display Subsystem Software (VDSS), operated under VAX/VMS and provided fundamental graphical user interface capabilities alongside terminal emulation. Developers could create custom graphical applications utilizing the VAXstation Display Management Library (VSTA) and the VAXstation Core Graphics Library. Additionally, early versions of the X Window System were supported through third-party software interfaces.

VAXstation 500

Launched in March 1985, the VAXstation 500 was a color graphics-enabled system that integrated a MicroVAX I with a Tektronix 4125 color display terminal.

VAXstation 520

The VAXstation 520 followed as an enhancement over the VAXstation 500 by employing a MicroVAX II host instead of the original MicroVAX I. Released in September 1985, one configuration featured 2MB of RAM, a 32MB hard drive, and dual 400KB floppy disk drives, retailing at $40,790.

VAXstation I

Debuting in October 1984 under the code name "Seahorse," the VAXstation I incorporated the KD32 CPU module which contained a 4 MHz (250 ns) MicroVAX I processor.

VAXstation II

Known internally as "Mayflower," the VAXstation II was built around the KA630 CPU module, which contained a 5 MHz (200 ns) MicroVAX 78032 microprocessor. Essentially, it was a MicroVAX II adapted to serve as a workstation.

VAXstation II/RC

The VAXstation II/RC represented a budget-friendly "Reduced Configuration" version of the VAXstation II. To limit upgrade options, several backplane slots were sealed with epoxy. However, this model was discontinued after users circumvented these restrictions by removing the epoxy or swapping the backplane, effectively converting it into a standard VAXstation II.

VAXstation II/GPX

Released in December 1985 and codenamed "Caylith," this iteration of the VAXstation II incorporated hardware-accelerated, high-performance color graphics capabilities.

VAXstation 2000

Introduced in February 1987 under the names "VAXstar" or "Kapri", this system utilized the KA410 CPU module housing a 5 MHz MicroVAX II processor without cache memory. It was essentially a MicroVAX 2000 tailored as a workstation.

VAXstation 3100 Model 30 (VS42A-xx)

With the internal codename "PVAX," this model featured the KA42-A CPU module equipped with an 11.12 MHz (90 ns) CVAX microprocessor and included a 64 KB external cache. The VT1300 X terminal was a diskless variant running the VAXELN operating system.

VAXstation 3100 Model 38 (WS42A-xx)

Referred to as "PVAX rev#7," this version employed the KA42-B CPU module with a faster 16.67 MHz (60 ns) CVAX+ microprocessor and maintained the 64 KB external cache.

VAXstation 3100 Model 40 (VS42S-xx)

Also known as "PVAX," this model shared the KA42-A CPU and motherboard with the Model 30 but came in a larger chassis that accommodated extra 5.25" and 3.5" drives.

VAXstation 3100 Model 48 (WS42B-xx)

Another "PVAX rev#7" configuration, it utilized the KA42-B CPU module running at 16.67 MHz with a CVAX+ microprocessor and featured a 64 KB external cache.

VAXstation 3100 Model 76

Codenamed "RigelMAX," this workstation incorporated the KA43-A CPU module powered by a 35.71 MHz (28 ns) Rigel microprocessor alongside a larger 128 KB external cache. It also offered dual SCSI buses for connecting both internal and external devices.

VXT 2000

The VXT 2000 was an X terminal based on the CVAX System-on-Chip processor, effectively functioning as a diskless version of the VAXstation 3100 Model 30 designed to boot a VAXELN image over the network for use with the X Window System.

VAXstation 3200 and VAXstation 3500

Internally referred to as "Mayfair/GPX," these models both employed the KA650 CPU module featuring a CVAX chipset operating at 11.12 MHz (90 ns cycle time) with a 64 KB external secondary cache. The primary distinction between them lay in their cases: the VAXstation 3200 used the BA23 enclosure, while the VAXstation 3500 came with the BA213 chassis. These were workstation adaptations of the MicroVAX III and MicroVAX 3500, respectively.

VAXstation 3520 and VAXstation 3540

The VAXstation 3520 and VAXstation 3540, collectively codenamed "Firefox," were multiprocessor workstations that incorporated either two or four CVAX chipsets on KA60 CPU modules running at a frequency of 12.5 MHz (80 ns cycle time). Based on Digital’s experimental DEC Firefly multiprocessor architecture, these systems targeted mid-range workstation users. Officially announced by Digital on January 10, 1989, no pricing or availability information accompanied their introduction.

VAXstation 4000 Model VLC

The VAXstation 4000 VLC (Very Low Cost), also identified as VAXstation 4000 M30, was introduced on 30 October 1991. Known internally as "PVAX2/VLC", it was equipped with the KA48 CPU module featuring a 25 MHz (40 ns cycle) SOC microprocessor. Its memory capacity ranged from 8 to 24 MB, utilizing low-profile, parity-checked MS40-BA SIMMs.

VAXstation 4000 Model 60

Launched alongside the VLC on 30 October 1991 and released on 25 November, the VAXstation 4000 Model 60 ("PMariah") incorporated the KA46 CPU module powered by a Mariah chipset running at 55 MHz (18 ns cycle) with a 256 KB external cache. It accommodated between 8 and 104 MB of parity memory through paired SIMMs (4 MB MS44L-AA and 16 MB MS44-DA). This model marked the debut of the TURBOchannel interconnect in the VAX line and provided an upgrade route to the Model 96.

VAXstation 4000 Model 90

The VAXstation 4000 Model 90 ("Cougar"), developed starting mid-1991 as an advancement of the Model 60, utilized the KA49-A CPU module featuring an NVAX processor clocked at 74.43 MHz (14 ns cycle) and a 256 KB external cache. Memory support ranged from 16 to 128 MB of parity-protected RAM across eight SIMM slots, using four-SIMM kits (16 MB MS44L-BC and 64 MB MS44-DC).

This workstation offered support for sophisticated graphics options (SPXg and SPXgt) through dedicated connectors. Its input/output design was centered on the NCA gate array, which implemented two independent 32-bit buses: one bus interfaced with TURBOchannel slots, firmware ROMs, and graphics components; the other connected Ethernet and EDAL controllers. Ethernet functionality was handled by the SGEC chip; SCSI operations were managed by an NCR 53C94 controller via EDAL; serial communication was facilitated by a DC7085 quad UART managing keyboard, mouse, modem, and printer/console ports; sound output at voice quality was provided by an AMD Am79C30 chip.

Upgrading from this model to the Model 96 was supported.

VAXstation 4000 Model 90A

The VAXstation 4000 Model 90A, codenamed "Cougar+", featured an enhanced KA49-A CPU module with an NVAX microprocessor operating at a higher clock speed of 83 MHz (12 ns cycle time), delivering improved performance over its predecessor, the Model 90. It also allowed for an upgrade path to the VAXstation 4000 Model 96.

VAXstation 4000 Model 96

The VAXstation 4000 Model 96, known internally as "Cougar++", represented a faster version of the Model 90A by employing the KA49-C CPU module with a NVAX processor running at 100 MHz (10 ns cycle time). This model was discontinued on 30 September 1999, with final units shipped before year-end.

VAXstation 8000

Released on 2 February 1988, the VAXstation 8000 ("Lynx") served as a high-performance workstation based closely on the VAX 8250. It was housed in a deskside chassis and featured a specialized three-dimensional graphics pipeline developed in collaboration with Evans & Sutherland. Unlike other VAXstations, it employed a Full VAX processor rather than a MicroVAX CPU.

Software

Prominent desktop publishing applications available for VMS running on VAXstations included Interleaf IWPS/IWPS-Plus, CGS Digi-Design/ORIS, DECwrite, and WordPerfect.

Mechanical computer-aided engineering (CAE) software compatible with these systems encompassed Applicon Bravo (with support for three-dimensional visualization), SDRC tools for FEM pre/postprocessing and I-DEAS, Prime GNC (Graphical Numerical Control), MCS ANVIL-5000, ISYKON (later acquired by Intergraph), Proren, EUCLID-IS, Unigraphics, and MEDUSA4. These software packages reinforced VAXstations’ standing within engineering and manufacturing sectors.

Additional resources

• Michael A. Callander, Sr. and colleagues, "The VAXstation 4000 Model 90". Digital Technical Journal, Vol. 4, No. 3, Summer 1992. Digital Equipment Corporation.