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From: amr@rti-sel.UUCP.UUCP
Newsgroups: mod.computers.vax
Subject: Re: VaxStar's and bigger disks
Message-ID: <8703200327.AA16303@rtisel>
Date: Thu, 19-Mar-87 22:27:19 EST
Article-I.D.: rtisel.8703200327.AA16303
Posted: Thu Mar 19 22:27:19 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 22-Mar-87 17:11:11 EST
References: <8703191522.AA29458@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU>
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Reply-To: rti-sel!rti-sel.UUCP!amr@mcnc.org (Alan Roberts)
Distribution: world
Organization: Research Triangle Institute, RTP, NC
Lines: 36
Approved: info-vax@sri-kl.arpa

In response to the query about placing RD54s in VAXstation 2000's, there
"could be" at least two technical problems with the system:

	1.  Power consumption for the RD54 might be worse than for
		the RD53, and could exceed limits on the 2000's
		power supply.  5.25 in. hard disks seem to vary
		greatly in power consumption, especially when
		you look at startup (spinning up) surge currents.

	2.  Heat could also be a problem.  The VAXstation has
		one (1), quiet (i.e. less airflow) fan, compared
		to the several higher airflow fans in a BA123
		box (I can certainly attest to this, I can't 
		even begin to hear the VAXstation 2000 across
		the room from my desk due to the noise from the
		GPX that I use).

I too would be interested in knowing whether either of these problems
actually "do" exist, so post the results if you decide to perform a
test.

Consider standalone operation carefully though, even if you do add an
RD54 to a VAXstation 2000.  With EITHER an RD53 or an RD54 in the box,
there is no space for other disk storage IN THE SYSTEM UNIT (not even
the floppy drive).  These systems will have no removeable media for
backups or file transfer.  Either the TK50 expansion box or contact
with a network (along with use of DECnet and RSM, LAVC, or NFS) will
almost certainly be needed for reliable backup purposes.
-- 


					Cheers,

					Alan Roberts
					Research Triangle Institute
					(decvax!mcnc!rti-sel!amr)