[Info-vax] Alpha CPU revision & serial number, blank?

[Steven Schweda]

> Device PKA0:, device type SYM53C895 LVD SCSI, [...]

   Around here, the built-in is:

Device PKA0:, device type Qlogic ISP1020 SCSI port, [...]

which is yet another reason for calling a DS10 "better" than
an XP1000.  Currently, the only thing on the built-in SCSI
bus is a DVD-ROM drive ("Disk ALP$DKA600:, device type
TOSHIBA DVD-ROM SD-M1711").

> Device PKB0:, device type HP LSI1030 Ultra320 SCSI, [...]

   As I recall, I looked at some LSI1030 cards, but I was
looking for the fastest (cheap) thing from which I could
boot, so the firmware limitations eliminated them.

> What kind of external disks and tapes do you use, if I may
> ask?

   Nothing exotic.  A couple of SCSI disks ("SEAGATE
ST336607LC" and "SEAGATE ST373207LSUN72G", in Sun 611 boxes),
a little-used CD-writing drive ("YAMAHA CRW2100S" ), and a
backup tape drive ("QUANTUM DLT7000").  (Some people seem
willing still to pay real money for a DLT8000, or I'd've
invested in a couple of those, instead.)

   Having a (relatively) large disk available (back-up not
required) was a practical requirement for large-file testing
of the Info-ZIP programs and VMSTAR.  They're not used much
now, but they're powered through an X-10 appliance module, so
I can leave them powered off until I need them, even when I'm
away from home.