VAXstation

thumb|VAXstation 4000 model 96 running [[OpenVMS 6.1 and DECwindows]]

The VAXstation is a discontinued family of workstation computers developed and manufactured by Digital Equipment Corporation using processors implementing the VAX instruction set architecture. VAXstation systems were typically shipped with either the OpenVMS or ULTRIX operating systems. Many members of the VAXstation family had corresponding MicroVAX variants, which primarily differ by the lack of graphics hardware. The VAXstation 100 was Digital's first workstation hardware for the VAX platform; the graphics terminal approach was selected due to the lack of a VLSI VAX CPU necessary to create a standalone VAX workstation when the project began in 1981. The VAXstation 100's design was based on two internal research projects at Digital - a dedicated VAX workstation named SUVAX (Single User VAX),

The VAXstation 100 consisted of a desk-side unit housing a Motorola 68000 processor, a dedicated bit blit accelerator built from AMD 2901 logic, and a total of 640KB of RAM (128KB for the CPU, and a 512KB frame buffer). Attached to this unit was a 19" monochrome monitor, an LK201 keyboard, a mouse, and optionally a graphics tablet and five-button puck. Application logic ran on the host's VAX CPU, and the code for displaying graphics ran on the VAXstation 100's processor. Third-party interfaces were developed for the VAXstation 100, most notably, the earliest versions of the X Window System.

VAXstation 500

The VAXstation 500 was a VAXstation system with color graphics, introduced in March 1985. It consisted of a MicroVAX I and a Tektronix 4125 colour terminal.

VAXstation 520

The VAXstation 520 was a follow-on to the VAXstation 500 which used a MicroVAX II as the host system instead of a MicroVAX I. At the time of its introduction in September 1985, a configuration with 2MB of memory, a 32MB hard disk and two 400KB floppy disk drives cost $40,790.

VAXstation I

Introduced in October 1984, it was code named "Seahorse", and used the KD32 CPU module containing a 4 MHz (250 ns) MicroVAX I processor.

VAXstation II

Code named "Mayflower", it used the KA630 CPU module containing a 5 MHz (200 ns) MicroVAX 78032 microprocessor. It was essentially a MicroVAX II in a workstation configuration.

VAXstation II/RC

A short-lived, lower-cost "Reduced Configuration" variant of the VAXstation II. Compared with the standard VAXstation II, a number of the slots on the backplane were filled with epoxy to limit the system's upgradability. It was discontinued when Digital discovered that enterprising customers were removing the epoxy, or replacing the backplane in order to convert the RC into a standard VAXstation II.

VAXstation II/GPX

Introduced in December 1985, it was code named "Caylith", and was a variant of the VAXstation II with hardware-enhanced, high-performance color graphics.

VAXstation 3100 Model 38 (WS42A-xx)

Code named "PVAX rev#7", it used the KA42-B CPU module containing a 16.67 MHz (60 ns) CVAX+ microprocessor with a 64KB external cache.

VAXstation 3100 Model 48 (WS42B-xx)

Code named "PVAX rev#7", it used the KA42-B CPU module containing a 16.67 MHz (60 ns) CVAX+ microprocessor with a 64KB external cache. whereas the 3500 used the BA213. As such, they were effectively workstation configurations of the MicroVAX III and MicroVAX 3500 respectively.

VAXstation 3520 and VAXstation 3540

The VAXstation 3520 and VAXstation 3540, code named "Firefox", were multiprocessor computers with two or four CVAX chip sets respectively, contained on KA60 CPU modules running at 12.5 MHz (80 ns cycle time).

It used the KA49-C CPU module containing a NVAX microprocessor operating at 100 MHz (10 ns cycle time) but was otherwise the same.

VAXstation 8000

The VAXstation 8000, code named "Lynx", CGS Digi-Design/ORIS, DECwrite and WordPerfect.

Mechanical CAE software:

Applicon Bravo (in 1988; with 3D-views),

SDRC applications (incl. FEM pre- and postprocessing, I-DEAS),

Prime GNC (GNC i.e. Graphical Numerical Control; a Numerical control application), MCS (Manufacturing & Consulting Services) ANVIL-5000, ISYKON (bought by Intergraph) Proren, EUCLID-IS, Unigraphics, and MEDUSA