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Groups > sci.electronics.design > #453316

Re: big drives

From Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid>
Newsgroups sci.electronics.design
Subject Re: big drives
Date 2017-03-23 18:54 -0700
Organization A noiseless patient Spider
Message-ID <ob1u2v$l1m$1@dont-email.me> (permalink)
References <rpn2dc9nqndp7glvfi5pdedb8ujgmf7pln@4ax.com> <fPqdnafUM7f-00nFnZ2dnUU7-c-dnZ2d@earthlink.com> <ob1kua$u3q$1@dont-email.me> <ObKdneYVnNMm8UnFnZ2dnUU7-YfNnZ2d@supernews.com> <ob1t5u$im8$1@dont-email.me>

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On 3/23/2017 6:38 PM, Don Y wrote:
> On 3/23/2017 3:29 PM, Phil Hobbs wrote:
>> On 03/23/2017 07:18 PM, Don Y wrote:
>>> On 3/23/2017 3:38 PM, Michael A. Terrell wrote:
>>>> John Larkin wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> I just happened to open my recycle bin and there was 42 Gbytes of
>>>>> junk.
>>>>>
>>>>> I remember 256 Kbyte hard drives.
>>>>
>>>>    Don't you mean a floppy drive?
>>>
>>> My first *hard* disk had a capacity of 256K words (words were 12b).
>>> The "disk" (i.e., the actual storage medium) weighted 100 pounds.
>>> The (single) platter was 14 inches in diameter, IIRC.  There were
>>> 16? head assemblies arranged around the drive -- the only access
>>> delay was rotational (wait for the data to move under the appropriate
>>> head; no need to MOVE the heads!)
>>>
>>> The controller weighed a bit less (though both units had to typically
>>> be mounted in a "rack" so you're looking at probably 500 pounds to have
>>> *a* disk spinning (though the controller could handle a total of
>>> four such disks -- a whopping million words of storage!)  You'd need
>>> a *second* rack to install drives 3 and 4.
>>>
>>> The medium was "word accessible".  So, you'd specify which word you
>>> wanted to start with and how many words following it in which you were
>>> interested.  Data rate was something like 60KHz (that's K for KILO).
>>>
>>> To power a controller and 4 attached drives, you'd need a 20A branch
>>> circuit
>>> AND would have to sequence the startup (spinup) commands for the individual
>>> drives lest you blow that breaker (I think each drive required ~500W).
>>
>> I call BS.
>>
>> What system was that, and when, exactly?  The original hard drive was the IBM
>> RAMAC, demonstrated in 1956, which had a capacity of 5 million characters.  Was
>> yours built in somebody's garage, maybe?
>
> RS08 with an RF08 controller.  Google is your friend.

<http://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/pdf/dec/pdp8/disc/DEC-08-HIEA-DA_RF08_Jun70.pdf>

Photo of controller and ONE drive in a standard DEC rack on page 10 of PDF.
Exposed view of components on page 12 (OK, maybe it was a 16 inch platter?)
Specifications on page 13:
    "Each RS08 stores 262,144 13-bit words"
    "Four RS08's can be controlled by one RF08 to proide storage for up
     to 1,048,576 words"
    "16.0us per word" (~60KHz)
    "128 data tracks"
    "2048 words per track"
    "150W" for controller
    "300W" for EACH drive
    "Motor run: 4A continuous at 115VAC"
    (Page 16 of PDF claims need for a 30A circuit @ 115VAC; I misremember)
    "Weight of an RF08, RS08, power supply and rack 500pounds"
    "Weight of an RF08, TWO RS08's, power supply and rack 600 pounds"
    (i.e., drive weight 100 pounds)

DEC's facilities weren't exactly "garages" -- though the old mill wasn't
what you'd call "tech" by today's standards!

> How do you like your "crow" served?  :>
>

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Thread

big drives John Larkin <jjlarkin@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-21 10:21 -0700
  Re: big drives bitrex <bitrex@de.lete.earthlink.net> - 2017-03-21 13:47 -0400
    Re: big drives George Herold <gherold@teachspin.com> - 2017-03-21 12:42 -0700
      Re: big drives dagmargoodboat@yahoo.com - 2017-03-21 12:55 -0700
        Re: big drives George Herold <gherold@teachspin.com> - 2017-03-21 13:37 -0700
          Re: big drives bill.sloman@ieee.org - 2017-03-21 21:51 -0700
            Re: big drives George Herold <gherold@teachspin.com> - 2017-03-22 07:26 -0700
  Re: big drives Winfield Hill <hill@rowland.harvard.edu> - 2017-03-22 03:38 -0700
    Re: big drives Don Kuenz <g@crcomp.net> - 2017-03-22 14:23 +0000
      Re: big drives David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2017-03-22 16:43 +0100
        Re: big drives Don Kuenz <g@crcomp.net> - 2017-03-22 18:35 +0000
          Re: big drives David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2017-03-23 10:24 +0100
            Re: big drives Don Kuenz <g@crcomp.net> - 2017-03-23 16:11 +0000
              Re: big drives krw@notreal.com - 2017-03-23 13:05 -0400
                Re: big drives Don Kuenz <g@crcomp.net> - 2017-03-23 17:39 +0000
                Re: big drives krw@notreal.com - 2017-03-23 21:05 -0400
                Re: big drives Don Kuenz <g@crcomp.net> - 2017-03-24 03:01 +0000
                Re: big drives krw@notreal.com - 2017-03-23 23:09 -0400
                Re: big drives Don Kuenz <g@crcomp.net> - 2017-03-24 04:15 +0000
                Re: big drives krw@notreal.com - 2017-03-24 22:34 -0400
      Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-22 12:25 -0700
        Re: big drives dplatt@coop.radagast.org (Dave Platt) - 2017-03-22 13:57 -0700
          Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-22 16:03 -0700
        Re: big drives krw@notreal.com - 2017-03-22 20:29 -0400
  Re: big drives tabbypurr@gmail.com - 2017-03-22 04:36 -0700
    Re: big drives Spehro Pefhany <speffSNIP@interlogDOTyou.knowwhat> - 2017-03-22 08:57 -0400
      Re: big drives Phil Hobbs <pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> - 2017-03-22 11:59 -0400
        Re: big drives krw@notreal.com - 2017-03-22 13:23 -0400
          Re: big drives Jon Elson <jmelson@wustl.edu> - 2017-03-22 16:38 -0500
            Re: big drives krw@notreal.com - 2017-03-22 20:31 -0400
            Re: big drives gray_wolf <g_wolf@nospam.com> - 2017-03-23 20:59 -0500
            Re: big drives gray_wolf <g_wolf@nospam.com> - 2017-03-23 21:00 -0500
        Re: big drives Robert Baer <robertbaer@localnet.com> - 2017-03-23 22:21 -0800
    Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkin@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-22 07:51 -0700
      Re: big drives krw@notreal.com - 2017-03-22 13:23 -0400
      Re: big drives Robert Baer <robertbaer@localnet.com> - 2017-03-23 22:19 -0800
      Re: big drives tabbypurr@gmail.com - 2017-03-24 04:26 -0700
        Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkin@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-24 08:38 -0700
    Re: big drives Jon Elson <jmelson@wustl.edu> - 2017-03-22 16:37 -0500
      Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkin@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-22 16:07 -0700
        Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-22 16:21 -0700
          Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkin@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-22 16:45 -0700
            Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-22 23:21 -0700
              Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkinxyxy@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-24 13:06 -0700
                Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-24 16:56 -0700
                Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkinxyxy@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-24 17:35 -0700
                Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-24 21:47 -0700
      Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-22 16:19 -0700
        Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkin@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-22 16:50 -0700
          Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-22 17:58 -0700
            Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkin@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-22 21:00 -0700
              Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-22 22:50 -0700
                Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkin@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-23 08:27 -0700
                Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-23 12:25 -0700
      Re: big drives tabbypurr@gmail.com - 2017-03-24 04:31 -0700
        Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-24 06:38 -0700
          Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkin@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-24 08:41 -0700
            Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-24 11:38 -0700
              Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkinxyxy@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-24 13:55 -0700
              Re: big drives tabbypurr@gmail.com - 2017-03-24 17:14 -0700
                Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkinxyxy@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-24 17:41 -0700
                Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-24 18:00 -0700
  Re: big drives Joerg <news@analogconsultants.com> - 2017-03-23 09:35 -0700
  Re: big drives "Michael A. Terrell" <mike.terrell@earthlink.net> - 2017-03-23 18:38 -0400
    Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-23 16:18 -0700
      Re: big drives Phil Hobbs <pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> - 2017-03-23 18:29 -0400
        Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-23 18:38 -0700
          Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-23 18:54 -0700
            Re: big drives pcdhobbs@gmail.com - 2017-03-23 19:16 -0700
              Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-23 19:28 -0700
                Re: big drives pcdhobbs@gmail.com - 2017-03-23 19:55 -0700
                Re: big drives krw@notreal.com - 2017-03-23 23:04 -0400
                Re: big drives pcdhobbs@gmail.com - 2017-03-23 22:00 -0700
                Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkin@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-24 08:46 -0700
                Re: big drives krw@notreal.com - 2017-03-24 22:38 -0400
                Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-23 22:22 -0700
                Re: big drives pcdhobbs@gmail.com - 2017-03-23 23:08 -0700
                Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-24 00:21 -0700
                Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkin@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-24 09:00 -0700
                Re: big drives David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2017-03-24 17:14 +0100
                Re: big drives tabbypurr@gmail.com - 2017-03-24 09:19 -0700
                Re: big drives David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2017-03-24 17:47 +0100
                Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-24 12:01 -0700
                Re: big drives Jasen Betts <jasen@xnet.co.nz> - 2017-03-24 20:30 +0000
                Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkinxyxy@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-24 14:06 -0700
                Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-24 11:55 -0700
                Re: big drives "Michael A. Terrell" <mike.terrell@earthlink.net> - 2017-03-25 04:00 -0400
                Re: big drives upsidedown@downunder.com - 2017-03-24 22:18 +0200
                Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkinxyxy@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-24 14:15 -0700
                Re: big drives Tauno Voipio <tauno.voipio@notused.fi.invalid> - 2017-03-25 13:21 +0200
                Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkin@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-25 07:54 -0700
                Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-25 10:53 -0700
                Re: big drives upsidedown@downunder.com - 2017-03-25 23:11 +0200
                Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-25 15:14 -0700
                Re: big drives upsidedown@downunder.com - 2017-03-26 12:18 +0300
                Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-26 03:33 -0700
                Re: big drives Phil Hobbs <pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> - 2017-03-26 16:36 -0400
                Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkin@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-26 14:13 -0700
                Re: big drives Tauno Voipio <tauno.voipio@notused.fi.invalid> - 2017-03-25 21:04 +0200
                Re: big drives pcdhobbs@gmail.com - 2017-03-24 19:03 -0700
                Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkin@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-24 08:53 -0700
                Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-24 12:12 -0700
                Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkinxyxy@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-24 14:20 -0700
                Re: big drives krw@notreal.com - 2017-03-24 22:43 -0400
                Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkin@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-24 20:10 -0700
                Re: big drives krw@notreal.com - 2017-03-24 23:23 -0400
                Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkin@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-24 22:25 -0700
                Re: big drives Tauno Voipio <tauno.voipio@notused.fi.invalid> - 2017-03-25 13:23 +0200
        Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkin@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-23 19:36 -0700
      Re: big drives upsidedown@downunder.com - 2017-03-24 10:14 +0200
        Re: big drives Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-03-24 01:31 -0700
    Re: big drives John Larkin <jjlarkin@highlandtechnology.com> - 2017-03-23 16:21 -0700
      Re: big drives "Michael A. Terrell" <mike.terrell@earthlink.net> - 2017-03-24 08:54 -0400

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