[Info-vax] VMS on VAXstation 3100 Model 48

[Richard B. Gilbert]

Jan-Erik Söderholm wrote:
> polemon wrote:
>> On Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:22:58 -0800 (PST)
>> "Bart.Zorn at gmail.com" <Bart.Zorn at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> You could start by having a look at http://www.openvmshobbyist.com/
>>
>> I need to be a DECUS member if i want an account there.
>> Even so, I didn't find any info where to actually get VMS, I can get a
>> license, but I didn't find where I could actually download the Software.
>>
>> The system is ancient, so to say. It is made in 1987, I doubt any
>> recent OpenVMS will run on it...
>>
> 
> There is no OS with the backward compatibility for older
> hardware as OpenVMS. You can easily download the SPD
> (Software Product Descriptin) for the latest version
> running on VAX and check it out yourself :
> 
> http://docs.hp.com/en/12699/SPDAlpha731732VAX73.pdf

VMS will, indeed, run on very old hardware.  I think the 11/780 is still 
supported.  Why you would want to is another question entirely.  The 
older hardware is physically huge, requires a great deal of power, 
generates a great deal of heat which, in turn, requires a great deal of 
air conditioning capacity.

The newer VAX hardware; e.g. MicroVAX II, MicroVAX 3100, etc, is 
smaller, faster, supports more memory, supports SCSI disks (instead of 
SDI, can be plugged into a standard electric outlet, etc, etc.