The VAXft Model 310, introduced as the VAXft 3000 Model 310, code named "Cirrus", was introduced in February 1990 and shipped in June. It was the first VAXft model, and was DEC's first fault-tolerant computer that was generally available. At the 1991 launch of new VAXft models, the VAX 3000 Model 310 was renamed to follow the new naming scheme, becoming the VAXft Model 310. The Model 310 had a theoretical maximum performance of 3.8 VUPs.[4]
When announced, the Model 310 had a starting price of US$200,000. In August 1990, slow sales prompted DEC to reduce the US price of the Model 310 to US$168,000.
It used the KA520 CPU module containing a 16.67 MHz (60 ns cycle time) CVAX+ chip set with 32 KB of external secondary cache. The system contained two such CPU modules, one in each zone, running in lock-step.
The VAXft Model 110, code named "Cirrus", was an entry-level model announced on 18 March 1991 alongside three other models. The Model 110 was essentially a low-cost model of the VAXft Model 310, and had a theoretical maximum performance of 2.4 VUPs.
It contained two zones packed side by side in an enclosure. Compared to the Model 310, it was limited in expandability in regards to memory, storage capacity and available options. It was available in either a pedestal or rackmount configuration. The rackmount configuration was a pedestal without the plastic covers or casters that fitted in a standard 19-inch RETMA cabinet.[5]
Each zone had a five-slot backplane for a KA510 CPU module, one to three 32 MB MS520 memory modules, one or two KFE52 system I/O controller modules and one or two DEC WANcontroller 620 (DSF32) wide area network (WAN) communications adapters. The leftmost slot was the first slot. The primary system controller resided in the first slot, the CPU module in the second, and the memory modules in the third, fourth and fifth slots. The second system I/O controller resided in either the fourth and fifth slots and the WAN communications adapters also in the fourth and fifth slots. The most basic system contained a CPU module, a memory module and a system I/O controller.
The DEC WANcontroller 620 was designed for use in VAXft systems. It provided two synchronous lines, each with a bandwidth of 64 KB. The lines could be operated as two independent lines or paired to provide redundancy.
The VAXft Model 410, code named "Cirrus II", was a mid-range model announced on 18 March 1991 alongside three other models. Originally supposed to ship in June or July 1991, it was delayed until September 1991, with the reason given by DEC being that it wanted to tune a new release of VMS for the system. The Model 410 was identical to the Model 310, but used the KA550 CPU module containing a 28.57 MHz (35 ns cycle time) SOC microprocessor with 128 KB of external secondary cache. It supported up to 256 MB of memory. The Model 410 had a theoretical maximum performance of 6.0 VUPs.
The VAXft Model 610, code named "Cirrus II", was a mid-range model announced on 18 March 1991 alongside three other models. Originally supposed to ship in June or July 1991, it was delayed until September 1991, with the reason given by DEC being that it wanted to tune a new release of VMS for the system.
The Model 610 was architecturally identical to the Model 410, except that the two zones were packaged vertically a 60" high cabinet, with Zone A above Zone B. The cabinet had more storage capacity than the systems packaged in pedestals, and for this reason the Model 610 was intended for data centers. It could have one or two expander cabinets placed on the left and right of the system for additional storage devices. These cabinets were front to rear cooled.
The VAXft Model 612 was a high-end model announced on 18 March 1991 alongside three other models. Originally supposed to ship in June or July 1991, it was delayed until September 1991, with the reason given by DEC being that it wanted to tune a new release of VMS for the system. The Model 612 was a VAXcluster of two VAXft Model 610s with an expansion cabinet positioned between the two systems as standard. It had a theoretical maximum performance of 12.0 VUPs. A second expansion cabinet could be added between the two system cabinets.
