CUNNINGHAMR%HAW.SDSCNET@LLL-MFE.ARPA (06/14/86)
Since I'm apparently not the only one trying to figure out what Ethernet boards
and TCP/IP software for our VMS (and BSD, and Ultrix...) VAXes, I thought I'd
offer some of the information I've picked up from various sources and
individuals. Some of which is probably incorrect. I offer it here in hopes
that someone out there will tell me what I might be wrong about, and offer more
information.
First, about Ethernet boards for VAXes...
Digital. DEUNA board works, but puts quite a load on a Unibus. Newer DELUA
replaces DEUNA, works, consumes a reasonable amount of Unibus power. Both
DEUNA and DELUA are "dumb boards" from a TCP/IP point of view: they handle the
Etherent packet data link protocol on the board, but no more. All of TCP/IP
has to be handled in software.
DEUNA specs include:
double board set
? processor, 10Mbps
? RAM
DMA controller
draws 15.0A at +5V, 1.0A at +15V
4 AC, 2 DC Unibus loads
DELUA specs include:
single board (DEUNA is two)
M68000 microprocessor, 10Mbps, 4Mbps thruput
80KB of RAM, primarily for buffering data
DMA controller
draws 8.0A at +5V, 1.0A at +15V (for transceiver)
4 AC, 1 DC Unibus loads
better temperature tolerance range than DEUNA
DEC sells TWG TCP/IP (though they'd rather sell you DECnet). Among the other
TCP/IP packages, at least NRC's "Fusion" TCP/IP works on DEUNAs and DELUAs.
Interlan. Their boards for VAXes work pretty much as the DELUA does. Price
competitive with DEC. Fusion TCP/IP works on their dumb boards, only
Interlan's TCP works on their smart boards under VMS (?) (they start shipping
production version of their TCP/IP for VMS on 1 July). Incidentally, both
their smart & dumb boards work with Bsd4.2 & 4.3 Unix.
Interlan NI1010A (dumb board) specs roughly similar to DELUA (are they still
making these?).
Interlan NP100 (smart board) specs include:
80186 microprocessor, 8MHz
82586 Ethernet coprocessor
256K (optional 512K) RAM, split between control & buffering
DMA controllers
draws 4.0-4.5A at +5V, 0.5A at +15V (for transceiver)
1 AC(?), 1 DC Unibus loads
Excelan. Their boards work. Only works with their TCP/IP software. Fine for
end nodes, but if your VAX needs to do internet routing, forget it since you
can't get to the IP. Some nice added functionality iff other nodes on the
network (PCs, etc.) also running Excelan software.
Excelan's EXOS 204 (smart board) specs include:
80186 microprocessor, 8MHz
256K (optional 128K or 512K) RAM, split between contro & buffering
DMA controller?
draws 5.5A at +5V, 0.5A at +15V
I don't know anything about Abel or any other vendors.
Note: "smart" boards offload the VAX cpu somewhat by doing IP, and possibly
some of the TCP protocol on the board. In general, that's fine for end
nodes, but if your VAX needs to do internet routing, it can create a problem
... you can't get at the IP portion. Probably a problem with Excelan, possibly
also with Interlan's smart boards?
Summary of TCP/IP software...
TWG TCP/IP works with different boards, except Excelan's smart board and
probably Interlan's smart board. Can buy either from them or from DEC.
Relatively expensive; compare to NRC's Fusion TCP/IP.
NRC's Fusion TCP/IP works with different dumb boards. Functionality equivalent
to TWG, but significantly cheaper. Some additional functionality if other
systems on the network run Fusion as well.
Interlan's TCP/IP only works with their boards.
Excelan's TCP/IP only works with their boards.
Otherwise, TCP/IP functionality seems roughly equivalent (although I might
be missing some key information here).