1.2.1.4 Network Controller
A network controller lets you connect to an Ethernet network. With a network
connection and appropriate DECnet software, you can use network services such
as mail, access data stored on other systems, perform operations such as editing
and printing on remote systems, and share resources such as laser printers.
Your system has an onboard Ethernet controller that is part of the CPU. The
system can connect to an Ethernet network through standard Ethernet cable or
ThinWire Ethernet cable. Connectors for both types of cables are on the console
module.
1.2.1.5 CPU DSSI Controllers
Your system has up to four Digital Storage System Interconnect (DSSI) adapters,
two of which are built into the CPU. They provide a path to two separate DSSI
buses (0 and 1) through which the CPU can communicate with DSSI devices.
Each adapter can support eight nodes, with the adapter and each DSSI storage
device counting as one node. Therefore, each adapter can support seven DSSI
storage devices.
The adapters also let you link one of the DSSI buses to another system to form
a DSSI VAXcluster configuration, described in Section 1.3. When a DSSI bus
is extended to a second system, both systems can share up to six DSSI storage
devices. When a DSSI bus is extended to a third system, the systems can share
up to five DSSI storage devices.
1.2.2 Optional Components
System options can include multiples of components that are part of the base
system (for example, additional memory modules) and the following kinds of
options.
• Mass storage devices and controllers
• Mass storage subsystems
• Mass storage expanders
• Communication controllers
• Real-time controllers
• Printer interfaces
• DSSI bus adapters
System Overview 1–21
