[HECnet] Bringing up a MicroVAX 3100-80

On Mar 26, 2020, at 7:57 PM, Supratim Sanyal <supratim at riseup.net> wrote: I have obtained a MicroVAX 3100-80 with a Storageworks pizza box, a CD-ROM drive, a tape drive, some cables and no monitor. It powers on, does not smoke or explode. The 8 LEDs at the back settle down to all on except 2 and 3 counting from zero on the right. I can hear a hard disk spin up. The cables include two MMJs. I have a PC with a 9-pin female serial connector. It runs Linux. The first two of many questions: does the ?0? connector connect to the console? What exactly do I need to do to connect the PC?s serial port to the MMJ cable? Note: I have passable soldering skills. This should do the job, you just need to verify the pinouts. A pin insert/remove tool might be a good investment to make adjustments in case the first choice of pinout turns out to be not what you want. Next question will be about the BNC connector and networking. One thing at a time. That is a 10Base2 connector. Next to it is an AUI connector. So if you have a 10Base2 repeater or switch, just run coax between the two. It most likely needs a T connector at this end with a terminator on the T (or going to other stations if you have more). The AUI connector could be used instead, for example if you have a 10BaseT transceiver that might be convenient. Those are still sold; Amazon lists one from Unicom for $30. Here are some pictures: https://photos.app.goo.gl/KduorZEimMQ73bMdA Nice! paul