[comp.os.vms] What to replace an 11/780 with?

danderer@sun.acs.udel.edu (Dave Anderer) (12/05/89)

This is a rather strange request.  I know precise answers aren't
possible at this point, but I've been out of touch with the Vax
product line for the past couple of years, and so a general answer
would help:


Our shop is running VMS on an 11/780.  The box has 16 Mb of memory,
an FPA, two RP-07s, a TU-78, 56 serial ports, and an Ethernet interface.
(All of that equipment is used except we have more serial ports than
we need - 32 would probably be sufficient.  Possibly less.)

I keep hearing that this is an antique configuration.  Possibly true,
but it still does the job we need it to.  (SW development under
VMS, specifically.)

I also keep hearing that we should replace it with a newer system to
lower our maintenance costs.  That's the question I need to look 
broadly at.

What equipment (DEC-only, for various reasons) would be an appropriate
replacement today for this configuration?  What CPU, which disks, etc?

Again, a general answer is fine.  I realize there are a multitude of
specifics to follow up on after this point (terminal servers vs. serial
ports, tape drive vs. dumping to a remote drive over the net, etc, etc..),
but what I really need today is that broad starting point.

Thanks.
-- 
Dave Anderer
Academic Computing and Instructional Technology/Research and Development
University of Delaware
		"Sinners can repent; stupid is forever."