Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!csd4.milw.wisc.edu!srcsip!pserv!stevem
From: stevem@pserv.UUCP (Steve Mestad)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec
Subject: Questions on 5400 systems
Keywords: 5400, vax, risc, ultrix, 3000, dec
Message-ID: <106@pserv.UUCP>
Date: 8 Aug 89 03:10:39 GMT
Reply-To: stevem@pserv.UUCP (Steve Mestad)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Honeywell CFS/MO, MPLS, MN
Lines: 29

I have several questions about Dec's new 5400 systems....
(Many of these have been given to the local office in the past
 with less than helpful responses)

Our sales reps state that the 5400 qbus can run 8 meg and disk io will be
about 2.5 times better than on our Microvax II's....Has anyone experienced this?
How fast do the dssi drives run....or is the kda a better way to go?

The 5400 uses the same box as the Microvax 3000 line.....These cabinets dont
use cabinet kits....How are the connections brought out?  On the edge of the
card like the Sun 3?  Just run out a hole?  Special fan out lines?
How about board interchange between the Microvax II, 3000's, 5400?
Did the card size change from the II to the 3000?  Does the 8 meg bus in
the 5400 eliminate the use of existing cards due to its faster speed?
Or do the third party 3000 series card run fine in the 5400??

How about the Risc Ultrix?  Full of porting bugs or identical to the
Vax Ultrix?  Third party applications getting ported or are they too busy
or not interested.....

I know its a large number of questions/details...but the 5400 looks like
a nice setup.....and this info will be helpful in machine selection...
Will post summary of responses if there's interest.....

For those into proper number use, substitute as follows:
Sun3-->Sun 3/260......Microvax 3000 line-->3400, 3500, 3600...

Thanks....
Steve Mestad  (email stevem%pserv@src.honeywell.com)