nagy%warner.hepnet@LBL.ARPA (Frank J. Nagy/VAX Guru) (09/26/87)
>>Since we are going to buy the workstation to support some specific >>3rd-party software, and to interface with an instrument, the first >>question is: >> 1. Are the VAXstation 3200 and 3500 completely software compatible >> with the II/GPX? As I recall (never having looked at one of them), >> the GPX had some special hardware magic for graphics that the vanilla >> VAXstations didn't have. Is this stuff present in the 3xxx's? >> In fact, more generally, if someone out there could enlighten us >> all with a review of the *functional* differences among the various >> VAXstations (I, II, II/GPX, 2000, 3200, 3500 - did I miss any?), I >> for one would be very greatful. We don't have a VAXStation-3xxx (and our II/GPX's aren't even on order yet), but here goes... As far as I know, all the VAXStations (with maybe the except of the -I) are completely software compatibile (again, except that software which needs color might work on a monochrome but look funny). As far as the CPUs go, a VAX is a VAX is a VAX. For the display gear: - VS-I, VS-II and monochrome VS-2000 are like "Macs with hormones" in that the VAX CPU manipulates the video RAM directly and is responsible for diddling all the pixels itself. - the gray-level and color systems (VS-II/GPX, VS-2000 color and VS-3200/3500) use the Dragon chip set graphics co-processor which is responsible for off-loading the pixel diddling from the host CPU. The Dragon chip set is also used in the new VT330 and VT340 terminals. To some degree (and I refer you the the VAX Workstation Software documentation here), the software (UIS and UISDC levels or X-Windows under Ultrix), hides the differences from user applications. >>The salesman made some noises about the Q-bus being configured completely >>differently on the new systems, and therefore many old options apparently >>won't work. I wonder what this will mean for extensibility. Specifically, >> 2. If we get a 3500 with an RA70, can we later buy an expansion cabinet, >> add another KDA50, and slap in a couple of, say, RA82's? (I believe >> the BA213 cabinet will allow us to add one more RA70.) The difference is not electrical, but mechanical. Look at the Sales Update articles on the MicroVAX-3xxx systems. Basically, the Q-Bus cards on these new systems have larger inter-card separations and have metal stiffeners/latches on the end (where normally there are plastic handles). There is a difference in how cables attach also, but I'm unclear on that. Digital does have kits with the parts needed to change Q-Bus cards and has stated that most cards can be "easily" changed for the new configurations. >>The 3500 comes with a "single-user" VMS license, which our salesman claims >>really allows 2 users to log in. (So why don't they call it a "2-user" >>license??) I need to know if this is true, since we need to have at least >>two user processes logged in for our application. >> 3. How does the limited-user stuff work in VMS? Does the restriction >> apply equally to interactive logins (from the Workstation and from async >> lines), network logins, and batch jobs, or is there some distinction >> made? What about subprocesses/multiple sessions on the workstation? >> Can one upgrade to an n-user license? A) The 1-user license does allow 2 users. These are 2 distinct interactive user sessions. An interactive session is a login via a terminal line, a LAT terminal connection or a SET HOST network connection. Special provision is made for multiple (i.e., >2) interactive sessions via terminal emulator windows on the main display. Basically you have one person working via the main display and another can login via SET HOST or LAT. We commonly do this for system maintenance. B) Batch jobs, subprocesses, non-interactive detached process and network jobs are NOT counted in the 2-user limit. You can have an "unlimited" number of these process/job types. Similarly, you can have any number of terminal systems on the workstation as long as only 2 usernames are involved. C) Digital has disallowed any further upgrades of workstation license to greater than 2 users. >>Finally, when I added together the prices for the 3500 (with 16MB, an RA70, >>a TK70, 8 async lines, VMS, etc., etc.) and the "new, reduced" prices for a >>II/GPX (with 5MB, an RA70, a TK50, 4 async lines, VMS, etc.), the 3500 comes >>out only a few thousand more. >> 4. How the heck does DEC expect to sell any more GPX's? (What I'm really >> asking here is, have I missed some important thing the GPX has that the >> 3500 doesn't? - i.e., question 1 restated.) They must have their reasons. In our case, we are very cost sensitive since we are needing multiple systems so we get combinations of color VS-2000s, monochrome VS-2000s and VS-II/GPXs depending upon particular needs within our overall system. I haven't priced it outyet, but since we only need a 4-plane color system and none of the new VS-3200 systems have that configuration, it'll probably still be cheaper to get VS-II/GPXs. = Frank J. Nagy "VAX Guru" = Fermilab Research Division EED/Controls = HEPNET: WARNER::NAGY (43198::NAGY) or FNAL::NAGY (43009::NAGY) = BitNet: NAGY@FNAL = USnail: Fermilab POB 500 MS/220 Batavia, IL 60510