[Info-vax] OT: RX2600 Itanium boxes on eBay

[Richard Maher]

Hi Neil,

"Neil Rieck" <n.rieck at sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:9d36fa2f-1a20-42ed-9578-97b005e6ac2b at l13g2000yqb.googlegroups.com...
On Oct 17, 8:30 pm, JF Mezei <jfmezei.spam... at vaxination.ca> wrote:
> Today, I placed an order for an Xserve. According to specs, it should
> be just a tad faster than a Microvax II with enough memory to exceed the
> 32 bit limit (forcing OS-X to boot in 64 bit mode).
>
> The power supply for my DS10L workstation failed some time ago, the
> DS10L was replaced by a new Mac.
>
> And now, the Xserve will eventually replace the "server" DS10L, as well
> as the one remaining VAX running a 400-600.
>
> Ironically, The VAX is likely to outlive the last Alpha since the
> services provided by the Alpha are readily *moveable* to the Unix server
> (DHCP, DNS, web, ftp, imap, pop, smtp) while the VAX still host ALL-IN-1
> and provides serial ports so that functionality will need to be *ported*
> (read: totally redevelopped).
>
> It will take a while to accomplish this as I still need to sharpen my
> unix skills and really get comfortable with the booting system used by
> apple (launchd).
>
> And in the longer term, SIMH will provide my "archive" of node VELO
> (vax) which started life in 1987 but got its "VELO" name in 1989.
>
> This is the first time that I get a brank spanking new server. In the
> past, I had always had used equipment. And HP got 0 dollars for me this
> year where I essentially replaced my computing infrastructure.
>
> I am unsure how to dispose of my old DEC equipment.
>
> For the 4000-200 and later the 600 as well as a DSSI cabinet, I could
> strip them down and then call up a local recycling outfit that will
> gladly take that steel.
>
> Since transportation costs would be huge for those, I doubt it would be
> worth selling as a unit on ebay. Thoughts ? Would selling individual
> boards to a reseller or on ebay be worth the hassles ? It isn't so much
> for the money, it is more whether it would be of help to someone needing
> those parts.
>
> The 4000-600 is a very nice machine. It isn't that much slower than the
> DS10 for daily use. (but for large compiles, the difference become
> visible). When I had both a 4000-200 and the 4000-600 in the cluster,
> the DSSI provided some really neat functionality.
>
> Yes, VMS clustering will be a found memory. I had been able to
> transition from a microvax II in the Q5 cabinet with a 3100 workstation
> to a 4 node cluster with a DS10L, 4000-200, 4000-600 (al;l 3 in the Q5
> cabinet) as well as the 3100 workstation) without losing the cluster
> uptime and with continued web server running ! Moving the node names
> around in a running cluster was not obvious and required "reboot"
> cycling to get the cluster to forget about the old node in order to
> re-introduce the old node name onto new hardware.
>
> (consider than the "in cabinet" upgrade required some work with hammers
> and lots of sweat to remove a cross bar in the middle of the cabinet to
> move it to the top), rejig all the clips/crews, install the solid tracks
> at bottom to hold both 4000s (one at each end of cabinet) as well as
> build a new "H-kit" out of fibreglass to hold the MVII's original DB25
> serial ports (installed below the 4000-600).
>
> My view of HP worsened quite a bit this year. Now, when cycling past
> their offices, I see some faceleless corporation optimised to milk
> customers, draw blood from employees and discard them at will. (And in
> the case of their montreal (kirkland) office, they also waste much water
> by directing lawn sprinklers to water the road instead of their lawn).
>
> So, I am very glad to say that I didn't reward HP in any way for its
> decisions to optimise VMS away.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Not sure how much an Xserve will cost you, but have you checked out
any of the used RX2600 Itanium boxes on eBay? There are several repo
companies always selling 2 or 3 chassis for between $500 and $750
(total). These companies usually don't ship to Canada but the friendly
folks at www.systemresale.ca have volunteered to broker (not for free)
a cross-border deal on my behalf.

NSR
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

I really recommend this option! They are great little boxes (If just noisy
enough to interrupt your tinking)

BTW. Anyone know what the power consumption is like on these and if the
excess from the  240V is just going up in heat?

Cheers Richard Maher