Acton, Massachusetts-based start-up, Advanced Modular Solutions Inc, is combining Intel Corp and VAX processors in a line of modular servers that include integrated software services aimed at easing VAX sites along the path to client-server computing, reports PC Week. Advanced Modular is the company formed to do modular client-server systems that are being manufactured for it by IBM Corp (CI No 2,273). The servers provide networking, communications and storage services for mixed VAX and personal computer environments. The MST 200, 300, and 400 models comprise a complex instruction set-based VAX CPU running VMS 5.4 or 6.1 and a 66MHz 80486DX2 CPU running a pre-loaded version of NetWare 3.12. The VAX and Intel servers are integrated via the company’s high-speed FDDI board. The systems include Modular X Window Services that lets X Window System or Motif applications on the VAX be accessed from the personal computer client and the Modular Messaging Client that lets users of local network-based electronic mail packages communicate with DEC’s OpenVMS/VAX Mail via a gateway and the Global Message Handling Service capabilities built into NetWare, which resides on the Intel server. The MST 200 provides up to 42Gb of storage, while the MST 300 and 400 accommodate 63Gb and 70Gb, respectively. The servers are out now $100,000 to $200,000. The company says that PowerPC and Alpha AXP based servers will follow in the future.
