[HECnet] Thinning the herd...

[John H. Reinhardt]

This is just a preliminary thing, but time had come I need room in my basement and I have some systems and parts I'm not using and probably won't.   So I'm doing a test to see who on this list is close enough to me in the SW Ohio, USA area (i.e. Cincinnati suburb) so as to avoid shipping heavy stuff and might be interested in some older, but not really ancient DEC/Compaq items.

Items would be for sale, trade or just outright gifts.   I'd prefer they go to someone who will preserver the "DEC way" and actually get some use out of them.

A short and non-comprehesive list of items:

2 Alphaserver 800's.   500MHz CPU, I think they have 2GB of memory each and a couple 9GB hard drives in the disk slots.   Each has at least one SCSI card and a 1GB FC card. I think they have a DEC DE500 or a Compaq NC31xx series 100Meg network card.

2 Alphaserver 1200's.   One is actually a "whitebox" 5305.   Each of these has two 500MHz CPUs and also 2GB of memory.   They each have several of the DEC Storagework disk "bricks" and at least 2 SCSI cards and a 1GB FC card.   They also have a DEC DE500 or a Compaq NC31xx series 100Meg network card.

I have 3 Microway clones of a DS20E.   667MHz dual CPU. 2GB memory, 18 or 36GB hard drive and a CDrom.   I'm keeping at least one for my use, maybe one as a spare.   OpenVMS sees them as a DS20E and they the regular Alpha firmware updates work on them - not that there are any new updates to apply. ;)

I have 2 DS10L systems with the 667MHz CPU.   1GB of memory (I think), some crappy internal IDE drive, a CDrom and a floppy (that usually doesn't work). Neither has a graphics card. I think I have some Radeon's around that might work.   Currently each has a 1GB FC card in the only PCI slot.

I have 5 Itanium systems - 1 ZX2000, 2 ZX6000, 2 RX2600.   The ZX2000 and one ZX6000 will probably be available.   The ZX2000 is a 1.4GHz system, faster than most out there.   Has 1GB of memory and I have 2GB here that I never got around to installing.   It's got two 250GB IDE drives, 1 IDE CDRom and a Plexor PX-716a SCSI cd burner.   Currently it's got Windows 2000 server (IA64 version) on it. Theoretically OpenVMS can be installed but you need a SCSI card/drives.   I think I bought a compatible SCSI card but I never got around to installing it.

The ZX6000 is either a dual 1.3GHz or 1.4GHz system.   Memory is unknown but I've got enough around here to put up to 6GB in it.   I haven't run it in a while so I have to check it out first.

The ZX2000 is a pretty quiet system and the ZX6000 is in the floor pedestal case with the office friendly fans.

I also have a PWS533 that hasn't been run in a while. Configuration unknown.

I have an Alphastation 255 that won't boot due to a hardware fault.   Might be memory but I never looked into it.   IIRC, memory for that system was tough to come by.

The major non-system hardware I have is a DEC RA7000/RA8000 4x6 storage array.   Currently it has in it two HSG80's and is set up for FC access.   I have 2 or 3 HSZ70 controller cards that came in it originally and they worked at the time of removal.   However, I'd been told that there is a NVRAM battery on board them that if it dies, the controller dies and can't be restored.   Since they have been in storage for about 7 years I'd say they were toast (assuming what I'd been told was correct).   It has a range of drives in it from 9.1Gb to 18.2 or maybe 36GB.   I have to check it out.   Some of my DEC brick drives had died so I opened them up and replaced them with Seagate drives of larger capacity.   I have a few extra empty containers as well as some extra power supplies.

I also have a Compaq HSG80 storage shelf - Model 2200 I think, and 3 M4300/4200 series SCSI shelves to go with it.   These shelves have a variety of 9.1, 18.2 and 36.4GB drives installed.   At least pairs as each was mirrored.

I have a TL891 tape library with two TK89 DLT drives.   Was in working condition when upgraded with

A Compaq SSL2020 library with 2 Sony AIT-2 drives   50/100GB capacity tapes.   Also was in working condition when it was replaced with a newer library.

I have several Compaq/HP SAN switches.   1 really old Compaq 1GB 16-port switch, a somewhat newer Compaq 1GB 16-port and 2 HP branded Emulex DB32B2 32-port 2GB fabric switches.

I have several Modular Data Routers with LVD or HVD SCSI ports, a couple N1200 series Network Storage Routers.

I nearly a complete HP EVA5000 (Google it).   All I don't have is the controller system you need to run it.   I have the software. If you have a rack to put the stuff in and can get the thing to work, then I'll make you a deal. ;)

I have some Non-VMS related things - 3 HP DL380 G2 dual Xeon systems with about 4GB of memory each and 6 36GB hard drives. Also 3 or 4 HP DL360 G1 and G2 P3 and Xeon systems.   1-4GB memory, 2 SCSI drives 9.1GB or 18.2GB size.   Also a couple other old, oddball P3 systems and 3 Dual Xeon homebrews with 1 or 2GB memory and Compaq 5300 raid controllers.   I used them as firewall/routers, VMWare servers and the such.

I'll probably find more as I dig through boxes.   I know I have spare fans, power supplies, network card, scsi cards, etc.   Some I have to keep as spares, some will be available.   I have a crap-ton of fibre channel stuff.   It's really pretty nice to work with.

What do I want?   Mostly to clear out some space and get my wife off my back. ;)   But also I'd really consider trading for some PDP-11 stuff.   Something in a BA32 or BA215 pedestal system would be nice.   I'm open.   Most of what I want to do can be done with simh or Ersatz11 but I'd like one actual hardware PDP-11.

I always wanted to set up a DEC fan site as well but my home situation isn't conductive so trading for some sort of hosting would be an option, too. (Dave?)

There is no big hurry on this.   My time frame is to clean it out by sometime this summer.   Maybe schedule some delivery trips or halfway meetings.   Eventually I will get all this stuff checked out as to it's current health and post pictures somewhere for people to see.

Right now I'm mostly on a recon mission to see what interest there might be.

Thanks!

John H. Reinhardt