Upgraded my VAXstation 3520...

Patrick Finnegan pat at computer-refuge.org
Wed Mar 14 23:36:59 CDT 2007


The VAXstation 3520 (and 3540) are dual and quad processor pedestal vaxes 
(BA213-sized chassis) that DEC breifly tried to sell, with a weird (only 
used on those models) processor/memory bus called the "M bus".  I was 
hoping that I could get more than 4 CPUs to function in the machine, and 
after a lot of effort (module order did matter!), I got some encouraging 
results.  I bet no one else here can claim that they've got a "VAXserver 
3560"...

------------------------

KA60 V1.2
F..E..D..C..B..A..9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2..1..0
 7   01010004  L2003    3  ?  V1.3
1 SSC     00000001
2 DZ      00031200   ?
3 NI      19210770   ?
4 SCSI    00000901
5 SYS     00000001


Tests completed.

08-E1,P1
0B-E1,P1
0C-E1,P1
0F-E1,P1
14-E1,P1
17-E1,P1
08

<snipped OpenVMS 7.2 boot>

$ show cpu

VS3200, a VAXserver 3560
Multiprocessing is ENABLED. Streamlined synchronization image loaded.
Minimum multiprocessing revision levels: CPU = 3 FBIC = 1.

PRIMARY CPU = 08
Active CPUs:      08 11 12 15 20 23
Configured CPUs:  08 11 12 15 20 23

---------------------------------------------

Note that "VS3200" is the name of the system as the disk was supposed to 
go into a VAXstation 3200.  Also, the system doesn't seem to be 
completely reliable in bringing up all 6 processors, but that may be 
related to a firmware version mis-match between processor boards (and/or 
timing issues when you've got 3 CPU boards).

I set out to try to do this 3 years ago now, and finally have managed to 
obtain enough spare parts (via ebay) to try it out.

Pat
-- 
Purdue University ITAP/RCAC       --- http://www.rcac.purdue.edu/
The Computer Refuge               --- http://computer-refuge.org



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