waters@ois5.dec.com (09/06/86)
DIGITAL announces the VAXmate!
Attached is the fact sheet given to the Press:
========================================================================
Product Name: VAXmate
Function:
VAXmate is Digital's industry-standard personal computer designed
specifically for networking. The system offers both industry-
standard personal computing and access to VAX-based services and
capabilities in a single workstation. VAXmate, along with specially
designed system and server software, like VAX/VMS Services for MS-DOS
and PC ALL-IN-1, provides a framework for integrating personal
computers into an organization's total information system.
Key Features:
o Basic hardware system includes one-piece (16" wide,
15.5" deep) system unit/monitor, keyboard and mouse (3-button),
RS 423, and a high-speed ThinWire Ethernet port.
o Compatible with the IBM PC/AT
o Keyboard functions compatible with both Digital (VT220, VT240, etc.)
and IBM PC, IBM PX/XT, and IBM PC/AT applications.
o System CPU is based on Intel 80286 chip running at 8 MHz.
o 1 Mb memory included in base system.
o 14" amber or green monitor supports Digital graphic modes
(800 x 250; 640 x 400 for MS-Windows) and IBM (CGA) graphics modes
(300/640 x 200).
o The 5.25-inch 1.2 Mbyte diskette drive provides read and write
(and format) access to IBM PC/AT (1.2 Mbyte) and Digital RX50
(Rainbow 400 Kbyte formatted diskettes), and read access to IBM PC
and PC/XT (360 Kbyte) diskettes.
o Graphics support for LA75, LA50, and IBM PC graphics-compatible
printers.
o Full one-year, on-site warranty service.
System Options:
o Expansion box containing a 20-Mbyte, half-height hard disk and
controller, plus two (16-bit PC/AT compatible) option slots.
o Integral 2-Mbyte RAM for a total of 3-Mbytes of RAM
[this does NOT use a slot, but is installed in the system box;
third party memory boards may still be used in the expansion slots]
o Internal 300/1200/2400-baud modem (U.S. only) [hayes compatible,
and mounts inside the system unit and does not use a slot]
o 80287 math coprocessor
Pricing/Availability:
The VAXmate system hardware is priced at $4,045 and the software
license [one time] costs $250; both are available immediately.
Network integration kits for IBM PCs and Rainbows will be available
in 1987 to provide users with Thinwire Ethernet support.
=======================================================================
The above fact sheet was wriiten by DEC's corporate PR and is
really dry, so I've included some additional comments below. This
information is supplied to the best of my knowledge and represents
no commitment by Digital Equipment Corporation, my plants, or my
writing ability.
HARDWARE:
o VAXmate has received Future Computing's highest rating for AT
compatibility. The VAXmate is not just compatible at the BIOS
level, but also at the hardware level.
o Intel 80286 CPU operating at 8 Mhz.
o 1 Mb of memory in the system unit which is partioned into 640 Kb
for the normal real mode (PC) address space, 256 Kb above the
1 Mb address range which can be used by protected mode systems or
as a RAMdrive, and a 128 Kb private memory space in the real address
space somewhere above the 640 Kb memory. Most of the network software
and buffers are placed in the private RAM so that more memory in the
normal 640Kb address space is available for applications.
ERGONOMICS:
The VAXmate features a small footprint, non-glare video with
special high-resolution mode for MS-Windows, an award-winning mouse
(Industrial Designers Society of America certificate for design
excellence), and a monitor which may be tilted as desired. The unit
is convection cooled giving it quiet operation.
SOFTWARE:
The software kit includes MS-DOS 3.10, MS-WINDOWS [this DEC
implementation supports the higher resolution video of the VAXmate],
MS-NET with DECnet as transport software, LAT (Local Area Transport)
which provides high-speed terminal access to VAXen via the Ethernet),
an extensive (Windows-based) User Information (Help) System, a
Windows-based VT220 emulator and non-windows based VT240 emulator,
both which support multiple terminal sessions with LAT and the serial
line. The VT240 emulator supports full REGIS capabilities.
The primary interface to the DEC PCSA (Personal Computing Systems
Architecture) is Windows, but is by no means restricted to Windows.
Transparent network access is available at the MS-DOS command level.
The design center for the VAXmate features complete DECnet/Ethernet
network integration from the desktop to the mainframe. Built in high
performance thinwire Ethernet subsystem. True file sharing -
PC to PC, VAX to PC with full VMS and MS-Net security features is
supported.
The network software allows files and printers on another VAXmate
or a VAX/VMS system to be accessed and shared transparently over the
network. A VAX/VMS directory can simply appear as an MS-DOS drive
designator (such as G:). The DECnet transport not only allows access
on a LAN (Local Area Network) basis, but also on a WAN (Wide Area Network)
basis. You can have a VAXmate Server or a VMS-based Server on the other
side of the world and access it transparently. Most applications require
no changes to operate in the network environment.
True file services are provided by the VAXmate Server as well as
the VMS Server for MS-DOS. Files on the VAX may be edited (i.e., with
EDT) and then edited with a PC editor without any conversion. This is
not a "virtual disk" implementation, but true file sharing.
Full file and byte range locking are supported.
The network software includes a SETHOST utility, providing WAN
terminal access across a DECnet network.
A 128Kb private memory area unique to the VAXmate allows most of
the network software to be loaded without consuming a large portion of
the normal 640Kb address space.
The VAXmate can reliably read and write Rainbow RX50 diskettes with
no special commands. Files can be shared by compatible applications.
A GRAPHICS utility provided with the MS-DOS distribution provides
print-screen support for a wide variety of printers. Graphics print-screen
operations may even take place across the network!
Complete documentation is provided, including an extensive user's
guide, a step-by-step system administrator's guide (for software
installation and network configuration), a setup guide for the VAXmate,
and an extensive Technical Reference manual (really excellent and VERY
detailed!).
In short, the system is designed for the corporate customer. The
base unit comes standard with the network hardware, mouse, serial port,
printer port, monitor, graphics adapter, keyboard, software (MS-DOS,
Windows, Net Software), and on-site support for a year, etc. for $4,295.
The design center is a network environment, though not required. It is
not priced to be a clone-competitor and may not ever be sold through
typical retail channels [though I don't know for sure].
DISCLAIMER:
The information provided may or may not be entirely accurate and
does not necessarily represent the views or commitments from Digital
Equipment Corporation, its' employees, or me.
This message brought to you from the VAXmate Announcement Center
in Merrimack, NH. :-)