----- Original Message -----
From: "chris" <cb(a)mythtech.net>
To: "Classic Computers" <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2003 11:13 AM
Subject: DEC Server 300
What does a DEC Server 300 look like? About how big
are we talking about?
I unloaded the dumpster pulls from last night, and one of the manuals was
marked DEC Server 300. So I'm kind of assuming that might be the DEC the
other parts came from. I'm thinking of going back for another dive
tonight, so I'm wondering what exactly I should be looking for. Or if
this is a large machine, I can pretty well say that it isn't in the
dumpster.
-chris
<http://www.mythtech.net>
A DECserver 300 is about 19"x12"x4.5", weighs 10-15 lbs (guessing), and
has
16 MMJ's (modified modular jack), an AUI (thickwire Ethernet), and a
10Base5 (coax Ethernet) connection on the rear. Mine has a "tabletop"
plastic shell on it with rubber feet under it, although many of these were
sold without the case and were rack mounted. My unit has a beige-ish plastic
shell over a gray metal box. Units without the plastic shell with be gray
and "gold" alodyne finished" aluminum.
The unit will say DECserver on both the front & back and have a sticker on
the rear with an Ethernet MAC address, something like: "08-00-26-19-ac-3b".
The address is used to tell a host computer how to locate it so that the
operating software can be downloaded into the unit when it is powered on.
It is NOT a computer (although it contains a computer) - it is a terminal
server, connecting serial terminals like VT220, VT320, etc. to VAX or other
system over Ethernet. The protocol used was typically LAT, a non-routable
but very efficient protocol.
Please PLEASE keep the book - I am sure someone will want it as they are
MUCH harder to locate than the device itself! I would ask for it but I
already have both the DECserver and a manual.
If you have more questions, and we seem to be talking about the same device,
please ask away. I am no "expert" on this thing, but I used one and worked
with it for many years.
Stuart Johnson