===== AlphaStation 200, 205, 250, 255, 400, and AlphaServer 300, 400 (Avanti) ===== ^ AlphaStation 200, 205, 250, 255, 400, AlphaServer 300, 400 ^^ ^ Codename | Mustang (200), LX3 (205), M3 (250), LX3+ (255), Avanti (400), Melmac (AlphaServer 300) | ^ CPU | [[wp>Alpha_21064|21064]], [[wp>Alpha_21064#Alpha_21064A|21064A]] | ^ Core logic | [[hardware:chipsets#21071_and_21072|21071/21072]] (APECS) | ^ Memory | SIMMs; up to 192 MiB (AlphaStation 400), 256 MiB (250), 512 MiB (AlphaServer 300), 1 GiB (255) | ^ Buses | 33 MHz PCI, ISA | ^ Firmware | SRM (last V7.0-9; V7.2-1 on the AlphaStation 400), ARC; AlphaBIOS on the AlphaStation 255 | ^ Kernel option | ''CONFIG_ALPHA_AVANTI_CH'' | ^ Linux | Linux 6.9 and earlier | The Avanti family is Digital's first generation of 21064 and 21064A desktop workstations and small servers with PCI. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1998-March.mbox#L30004|"Re: AlphaServer 800"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 25 Mar 1998)] ==== Specifications ==== The [[hardware:systems:xl|Alpha XL 233 and 266]] are close relatives, and some early XL machines are in fact Avantis. A true XL has a different motherboard, on which Avanti kernels and MILO images do not work correctly; it can be identified by its 82379AB PCI-to-ISA bridge, where Avanti systems have the 82378IB or 82378ZB. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1996-March.mbox#L6843|"Alpha XL Support"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 22 Mar 1996)] [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1996-July.mbox#L2473|"RE: SRM/bootp questions"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 13 Jul 1996)] === AlphaServer 300 === [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_300:alphaserver_300_users_guide.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 300 User's Guide}}, pp. 1-1, A-2)] * DECchip [[wp>Alpha_21064#Alpha_21064A|21064A]] at 266 MHz * DECchip 21072-AA (APECS) core logic * 2 MiB write-back secondary cache * Memory controller with a 128-bit data bus to main memory and a 128-bit bus to the secondary cache, longword parity protected * Expandable to 512 MiB of memory, added as options of four SIMMs each in 32, 64, 128, or 256 MiB sizes [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_300:alphaserver_300_users_guide.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 300 User's Guide}}, p. 4-7)] * 33 MHz PCI: one PCI-only slot, one shared PCI/ISA slot, and one half-size ISA-only slot * PCI-based embedded SCSI-2 controller supporting seven peripherals, and a PCI-based Ethernet adapter * Floppy disk controller supporting a floppy drive and one CD drive * Keyboard and mouse ports, two serial ports, one enhanced bidirectional parallel port === AlphaStation 200 === The AlphaStation 200 takes "72-pin, 70ns, 36-bit PC-type SIMMs if they meet the standard specs"; the SIMMs Digital shipped in the system may be 33-bit parts that will not work in a PC. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/comp-unix-osf-osf1-mbox/googlegroups-1995-March.mbox#L24345|"Re: alphastation 100/166/233 running osf1"]], Steve Lionel, comp.unix.osf.osf1, 9 Mar 1995)] === AlphaStation 250 === [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_250:alphastation_250_user_information.pdf?linkonly|Digital AlphaStation 250 Series User Information}}, pp. 2-1, C-2)] * DECchip [[wp>Alpha_21064#Alpha_21064A|21064A]], with a jumper pair (J7 and J32) setting the CPU clock rate * DECchip 21072-AA core logic * 2 MiB write-back secondary cache * 128-bit data bus to main memory and a 128-bit bus to the secondary cache, longword parity protected * Memory expandable to 256 MiB, 33 MHz PCI * One PCI-only slot, one PCI/ISA slot, and one half-size ISA-only slot, on a riser card * PCI-based embedded SCSI-2 controller for up to seven devices, a PCI Ethernet adapter, and a sound card * Floppy disk controller supporting a floppy drive and one further drive, keyboard and mouse ports, two serial ports, one enhanced bidirectional parallel port === AlphaStation 255 === [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_255:alphastation_255_user_information.pdf?linkonly|Digital AlphaStation 255 Family User Information}}, pp. 2-9, B-2)] * Socketed DECchip [[wp>Alpha_21064#Alpha_21064A|21064A]] with DECchip 21071-AA core logic * 1 MiB write-back secondary cache * Two PCI, one PCI/ISA combination, and one ISA-only slot on a riser card, PCI at 33.33 MHz * Two banks of four SIMMs, expandable to 1 GiB "when 128-MB SIMMs are available" * Twisted-pair Ethernet on the motherboard, with an optional media adapter unit for ThinWire, and onboard audio jacks * A switchpack replaces the AlphaStation 250's SROM and boot jumpers: switches 1 and 2 select the SROM mini-console, booting the console image from floppy, or clearing the RTC and NVRAM [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_255:alphastation_255_user_information.pdf?linkonly|Digital AlphaStation 255 Family User Information}}, p. B-11)] The AlphaStation 255's onboard Ethernet is a 10 Mb/s 21040. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/1997-January.mbox#L9283|"SUMMARY: onboard AS255 Ethernet: 10 or 10/100?"]], Jay Sekora, alpha-osf-managers, 22 Jan 1997)] === AlphaStation 400 === [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_400:alphastation_400_user_information.pdf?linkonly|Digital AlphaStation 400 Series User Information}}, pp. 2-1, C-1)] * CPU on a daughtercard: the PB50C-BA module carries a 233 MHz DECchip 21064A (EV4S) with 16 KiB instruction and 16 KiB data caches, DECchip 21071-AA core logic, 512 KiB of direct-mapped writeback secondary cache, 1 MiB of flashROM holding the ARC and SRM consoles, PALcode, and diagnostics, a 64 KiB diagnostic ROM, 8 KiB of NVRAM, and an 8-bit diagnostic LED display [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_400:alphastation_400_cpu_module_information.pdf?linkonly|Digital AlphaStation 400 Series CPU Module Information}}, p. 1-1)] * Six SIMM sockets on the motherboard, expandable to 192 MiB * 32-bit PCI at 33 MHz: two PCI slots, three ISA slots, and one combination PCI/ISA slot * SCSI-2 controller with internal and external buses for up to seven devices * Floppy disk controller supporting two floppy drives or one floppy and one tape drive, keyboard and mouse ports, two serial ports, one enhanced bidirectional parallel port * Three 5.25-inch half-height bays, one hidden 3.5-inch half-height bay, and one 3.5-inch diskette drive, on a 300 W power supply Digital also sold the AlphaStation 400's boards to OEMs as the AXPpci 233XL module set, the same modules used in the AlphaStation 400 4/233. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_400:axppci_233xl_module_set_oem_design_guide.pdf?linkonly|Digital AXPpci 233XL Module Set OEM Design Guide}}, EK-AXPXL-DG.A01, January 1995, pp. 1-2)] ==== Firmware ==== * Early units have both the ARC and SRM consoles; later units have only one, and the other can be loaded from the firmware CD with ''update ARC'' or ''update SRM'' at the update utility's ''Apu->'' prompt. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/comp-unix-osf-misc-mbox/googlegroups-1996-February.mbox#L70|"Re: how to load arc firmware."]], Kenny House, comp.unix.osf.misc, 20 Feb 1996)] * The AlphaStation 200 and 255 need different firmware images; flashing the 255 image into a 200 leaves its ARC console in a loop. On the AlphaStation 200, jumper J2 forces a firmware boot from floppy for recovery. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/1997-September.mbox#L4441|"SUMMARY: Firmware Update Problems with AlphaStation 200 4/166"]], Patrick McCormick, alpha-osf-managers, 25 Sep 1997)] * On the AlphaStation 255, clearing the NVRAM with the configuration switches sets ''console'' to ''serial'', so power-up messages go to COM1 and the graphics head shows only a blinking cursor. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_255:alphastation_255_customer_letter.pdf?linkonly|AlphaStation 255 customer letter}}, EK-VLLXA-FL.A01, 8 February 1996)] ==== Linux ==== Linux 6.9 was the last version to support the Avanti systems, with ''CONFIG_ALPHA_AVANTI_CH''; Linux 6.10 removed support for processors older than the EV56 (21164A). [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=430ad3f0ddd7|"alpha: remove LCA and APECS based machines"]], Linux 6.10)] They boot from SRM with [[software:boot_loaders:aboot|aboot]]. To MILO and the kernel, the AlphaStation 200 is identical to the other Avanti systems, although its motherboard does not use a CPU daughtercard. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1996-April.mbox#L9214|"Re: AlphaStation info"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 18 Apr 1996)] * MILO must not be written to flash on Avanti systems, which do not support it. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1998-July.mbox#L59698|"Re: Questions."]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 23 Jul 1998)] Booting from SRM works cleanly. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1998-December.mbox#L16159|"Re: Kernel 2.1.131 compiles but hangs..."]], Richard Henderson, axp-list, 7 Dec 1998)] * The built-in 21040 and 21041 Ethernet controllers on the AlphaStation 200, 250, 255, and AlphaServer 300 do not work reliably with the ''de2104x'' driver. The same source suggested the ''de4x5'' driver instead, [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2006-January.mbox#L4129|""no link beat found" on digital alpha-station 255"]], Jay Estabrook, debian-alpha, 17 Jan 2006)] but Linux 5.19 removed ''de4x5'', leaving ''de2104x'' as the only driver for these chips. [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/torvalds/c/32c53420d2a0|"eth: de4x5: remove support for Generic DECchip & DIGITAL EtherWORKS PCI/EISA"]], Linux 5.19)] * The AlphaStation 200 and 400 have an onboard NCR 53C810 fast SCSI-2 controller, and the AlphaStation 200 a DECchip 21040 Ethernet controller on its riser card; [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_200:alphastation_200_400_technical_information.pdf?linkonly|Digital AlphaStation 200/400 Series Technical Information}}, EK-PCDSA-TI.A01, April 1995, p. 1-18)] the 53C810 uses the ''sym53c8xx'' driver. [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/scsi/sym53c8xx_2/sym_glue.c?h=v7.3-rc1|drivers/scsi/sym53c8xx_2/sym_glue.c]], Linux 7.3)] * Digital offered an upgrade from the AlphaStation 255 to an [[hardware:systems:alcor|AlphaStation 500]] in the same enclosure; [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/biz-digital-announce-mbox/googlegroups-1996-March.mbox#L150|"Press/AlphaStation 255 and 500 Workstations Lead In Price/Performance"]], Digital Press and Analysts News, biz.digital.announce, 11 Mar 1996)] of the AlphaStation 500 models, only the 500/400 and 500/500 run current kernels. * For a serial console on COM1, see [[documentation:srm#serial_console|Using the SRM Console: Serial console]]. * S3 Trio64 cards are unreliable, particularly in the AlphaStation 200 and 400 (see [[hardware:other#pc_graphics_cards|Other Hardware]]). ==== History ==== Digital announced the AlphaStation 200 4/166 and 4/233 and the AlphaStation 400 4/233 on 3 November 1994, as the PCI/ISA systems that would replace its low and mid-range TURBOchannel DEC 3000 workstations. The 200 is a slimline desktop with three slots and four bays; the 400 is a mini tower with six slots and five bays. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/biz-digital-articles-mbox/googlegroups-1994-November.mbox#L5308|"AlphaStation 200 Family of 64-bit Desktop Workstations"]], Customer Update, biz.digital.articles, 3 Nov 1994)] [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/biz-digital-articles-mbox/googlegroups-1994-November.mbox#L5552|"AlphaStation 400 4/233 -- 64-bit Computing in PCI/ISA Based Workstation"]], Customer Update, biz.digital.articles, 3 Nov 1994)] The two differ in how they are upgraded: the AlphaStation 200 was to be upgraded by "a user-installable chip replacement", the AlphaStation 400 "via future CPU daughter card replacement". [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/biz-digital-articles-mbox/googlegroups-1994-November.mbox#L5308|"AlphaStation 200 Family of 64-bit Desktop Workstations"]], Customer Update, biz.digital.articles, 3 Nov 1994)] [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/biz-digital-articles-mbox/googlegroups-1994-November.mbox#L5552|"AlphaStation 400 4/233 -- 64-bit Computing in PCI/ISA Based Workstation"]], Customer Update, biz.digital.articles, 3 Nov 1994)] The AlphaStation 200 4/100 followed on 2 March 1995 as an entry-level desktop, [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/biz-digital-articles-mbox/googlegroups-1995-March.mbox#L902|"AlphaStation 200 4/100 Entry Level 64-bit Desktop Workstation"]], Customer Update, biz.digital.articles, 2 Mar 1995)] [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/biz-digital-announce-mbox/googlegroups-1995-February.mbox#L1524|"Press/New Entry-Level Alpha Workstation Is Price/Performance Leader"]], Digital Press and Analysts News, biz.digital.announce, 24 Feb 1995)] together with the AlphaServer 400 4/166, a 166 MHz uniprocessor server in the mini tower enclosure, taking up to 192 MiB of SIMM memory. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/biz-digital-articles-mbox/googlegroups-1995-March.mbox#L1177|"AlphaServer 400 4/166 Mini Tower Server"]], Customer Update, biz.digital.articles, 2 Mar 1995)] Digital announced the AlphaStation 250 4/266 on 3 April 1995. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/biz-digital-announce-mbox/googlegroups-1995-April.mbox#L1|"Press/Digital Announces World's Fastest Workstation"]], Digital Press and Analysts News, biz.digital.announce, 17 Apr 1995)] The AlphaStation 255/233 and 255/300 followed on 8 March 1996, and could be upgraded to an [[hardware:systems:alcor|AlphaStation 500]] within the same enclosure. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/biz-digital-announce-mbox/googlegroups-1996-March.mbox#L150|"Press/AlphaStation 255 and 500 Workstations Lead In Price/Performance"]], Digital Press and Analysts News, biz.digital.announce, 11 Mar 1996)] ==== Documentation ==== ^ Document ^ Part number ^ Date ^ | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_300:alphaserver_300_users_guide.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 300 User's Guide}} | EK-AS300-UG.A01 | November 1996 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_300:alphaserver_300_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 300 Release Notes}} | EK-AS300-RN.A01 | December 1996 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_200:alphastation_200_400_technical_information.pdf?linkonly|Digital AlphaStation 200/400 Series Technical Information}} | EK-PCDSA-TI.A01 | April 1995 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_200:alphastation_200_user_information.pdf?linkonly|Digital AlphaStation 200 Series User Information}} | EK-PCDTA-UI.E01 | July 1995 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_200:alphastation_200_upgrade_information.pdf?linkonly|Digital AlphaStation 200 Series Upgrade Information}} | EK-ALPST-UP.A01 | October 1994 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_200:alphastation_200_4-233_cpu_upgrade_information.pdf?linkonly|Digital AlphaStation 200 4/233 CPU Upgrade Information}} | EK-PCDTA-CP.A01 | December 1995 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_200:alphastation_200_4-166_cpu_upgrade_information.pdf?linkonly|Digital AlphaStation 200 4/166 CPU Upgrade Information}} | EK-PCDTA-PU.A01 | December 1995 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_200:alphastation_200_illustrated_parts_breakdown.pdf?linkonly|Digital AlphaStation 200 Series Illustrated Parts Breakdown}} | EK-PCDTA-IP.A01 | | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_200:alphastation_200_installation_information.pdf?linkonly|AlphaStation 200 Series Installation Information}} | EK-PCDTA-II.B01 | 1996 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_200:alphastation_200_drive_bracket_note.pdf?linkonly|AlphaStation 200 Series Drive Bracket Note}} | EK-PCDTA-BN.A01 | | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_200:alphastation_200_customer_letter.pdf?linkonly|AlphaStation 200 Series System Customer Letter}} | EK-PCDTT-CL | March 1995 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_200:alphastation_200_4-100_systems_and_options_catalog.pdf?linkonly|AlphaStation 200 4/100 V2.1, Digital Systems and Options Catalog}} | | 1996 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_200:alphastation_200_4-233_systems_and_options_catalog.pdf?linkonly|AlphaStation 200 4/233 V2.1, Digital Systems and Options Catalog}} | | 1996 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_200:alphastation_200_golden_eggs_poster.pdf?linkonly|AlphaStation 200 4/100 166 233, Golden Eggs Visual Configuration}} | GEAW200A | February 1996 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_200:alphastation_200_mach64_installation_guide.pdf?linkonly|AlphaStation 200 4/100 mach64 Graphics Accelerator Installation Guide}} | EK-PCDGA-DI.A01 | February 1995 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_250:alphastation_250_user_information.pdf?linkonly|Digital AlphaStation 250 Series User Information}} | EK-PCCTA-UI.A01 | January 1995 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_250:alphastation_250_installation_information.pdf?linkonly|Digital AlphaStation 250 Series Installation Information}} | EK-PCCTA-II.B01 | | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_250:alphastation_250_upgrade_information.pdf?linkonly|AlphaStation 250 Model 4/266 Upgrade Information}} | EK-AL250-UG.A01 | May 1995 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_255:alphastation_255_user_information.pdf?linkonly|Digital AlphaStation 255 Family User Information}} | EK-VLLXA-UI.B01 | March 1996 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_255:alphastation_255_cpu_upgrade_information.pdf?linkonly|AlphaStation 255 4/300 CPU Upgrade Information}} | EK-VLLXA-CP.B01 | August 1996 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_255:alphastation_255_media_adapter_unit_installation.pdf?linkonly|AlphaStation 255 Family Media Adapter Unit Installation Information}} | EK-VLLXA-MI.B01 | August 1996 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_255:alphastation_255_illustrated_parts_breakdown.pdf?linkonly|AlphaStation 255 Series Illustrated Parts Breakdown}} | EK-VLLXA-IP.A01 | | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_255:alphastation_255_customer_letter.pdf?linkonly|AlphaStation 255 customer letter on cleared NVRAM defaults}} | EK-VLLXA-FL.A01 | February 1996 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_400:alphastation_400_user_information.pdf?linkonly|Digital AlphaStation 400 Series User Information}} | EK-PCDSA-UI.B01 | November 1994 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_400:alphastation_400_cpu_module_information.pdf?linkonly|Digital AlphaStation 400 Series CPU Module Information}} | EK-PCDSA-CI.A01 | August 1994 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_400:alphastation_400_upgrade_information.pdf?linkonly|Digital AlphaStation 400 Series Upgrade Information}} | EK-AVAXP-UP.A01 | October 1994 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_400:alphastation_400_illustrated_parts_breakdown.pdf?linkonly|Digital AlphaStation 400 Series Illustrated Parts Breakdown}} | EK-PCDSA-IP.A01 | | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_400:axppci_233xl_module_set_oem_design_guide.pdf?linkonly|Digital AXPpci 233XL Module Set OEM Design Guide}} | EK-AXPXL-DG.A01 | January 1995 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_500:alphastation_500_255_replacement_bezel_installation.pdf?linkonly|Replacement Bezel Installation Instructions for DIGITAL AlphaStation 500/255 Series System Enclosures}} | EK-ALSRE-IN.B01 | | {{tag>hardware system 21064 digital}}