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AlphaServer is a series of server computers, produced from 1994 onwards by Digital Equipment Corporation, and later by Compaq and HP. AlphaServers were based on the DEC Alpha 64-bit microprocessor. Supported operating systems for AlphaServers are Tru64 UNIX (formerly Digital UNIX), OpenVMS, MEDITECH MAGIC^[1] and Windows NT (on earlier systems, with AlphaBIOS ARC firmware), while enthusiasts have provided alternative operating systems such as Linux, NetBSD, OpenBSD and FreeBSD.

Parts of this article (those related to current support status (dated to c. 2012, etc. currently)) need to be updated. (March 2020)

Quick Facts Developer, Type ...

AlphaServer
AlphaServer 2000 running Red Hat Linux
Developer	DEC (1994-1998) Compaq (1998-2002) HP (2002-2007)
Type	Server
Release date	1994 (1994)
Discontinued	27 April 2007 (27 April 2007)
CPU	DEC Alpha

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AlphaServer 1000A

Inside a DEC AlphaServer 1000A

Alphaserver 1000A CPU board

AlphaServer 2100A

The Alpha processor was also used in a line of workstations, AlphaStation.

Some AlphaServer models were rebadged in white enclosures as Digital Servers for the Windows NT server market. These so-called "white box" models comprised the following:

Digital Server 3300/3305: rebadged AlphaServer 800
Digital Server 5300/5305: rebadged AlphaServer 1200
Digital Server 7300/7305/7310: rebadged AlphaServer 4100

As part of the roadmap to phase out Alpha-, MIPS- and PA-RISC-based systems in favor of Itanium-based systems at HP, the most recent AlphaServer systems reached their end of general availability on 27 April 2007. The availability of upgrades and options was discontinued on 25 April 2008, approximately one year after the systems were discontinued. Support for the most recent AlphaServer systems, the DS15A, DS25, ES45, ES47, ES80 and GS1280 is being provided by HP Services as of 2008. These systems are no longer supported by HP.

In approximate chronological order, the following AlphaServer models were produced:

Avanti Family

More information Model, Code name ...

Model		Code name	# of CPUs	CPU	CPU MHz	B-cache	Chipset	Max. Memory	Expansion	Enclosure	Introduced	Discontinued
200	4/100	Mustang	1	21064 (EV4)	100	512 KB	21071	8 to 384 MB	1 PCI 1 or 2 PCI/ISA 1 ISA	Desktop	?	?
	4/166			21064 (EV4)	166						?	?
	4/233			21064A (EV45)	233						?	?
400	4/166	Mustang S	1	21064 (EV4)	166	512 KB	21071	8 to 384 MB (6x 72-pin SIMMs, 3 banks)	2 PCI 1 PCI/ISA 3 ISA	Mini-tower	?	?
400	4/233	Mustang S	1	21064A (EV45)	233	512 KB	21071	8 to 384 MB (6x 72-pin SIMMs, 3 banks)	2 PCI 1 PCI/ISA 3 ISA	Mini-tower	?	?
300	4/266	Melmac	1	21064A (EV45)	266	2 MB	21072	512 MB (8x 72-pin SIMMs, 2 banks)	1 PCI 1 PCI/ISA 1 ISA	Desktop or Rack	?	?

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Sable Family

More information Model, Code name ...

Model		Code name	# of CPUs	CPU	CPU MHz	B-cache	Chipset	Memory	Expansion	Enclosure	Introduced	Discontinued
2100	4/200	Sable	1, 2, 3 or 4	21064 (EV4)	200	1 MB / CPU	?	2 GB (1 GB if 4 CPU)	3 PCI, 8 EISA	Pedestal or rack	?	?
	4/233	Sable45		21064A (EV45)	233	1 MB / CPU	?				?	?
	4/275	Sable45		21064A (EV45)	275	4 MB / CPU	?				?	?
	5/250	Gamma-Sable		21164 (EV5)	250	4 MB / CPU	?				?	?
	5/300			21164 (EV5)	291		?				?	?
	5/375			21164A (EV56)	375		?				?	?
2000	4/200	Demi-Sable	1 or 2	21064 EV4	190	1 MB / CPU	?	640 MB	3 PCI, 7 EISA, 1 PCI/EISA	Pedestal	?	?
	4/233	Demi-Sable45		21064A (EV45)	233	1 MB / CPU	?	1 GB	3 PCI, 7 EISA		?	?
	4/275	Demi-Sable45		21064A (EV45)	275	4 MB / CPU	?				?	?
	5/250	Demi-Gamma		21164 (EV5)	250	4 MB / CPU	?				?	?
	5/300			21164 (EV5)	291	4 MB / CPU	?				?	?
	5/375			21164A (EV56)	375	4 or 8 MB / CPU	?				?	?

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The AlphaServer 2100 was briefly sold as the Digital 2100 before the AlphaServer brand was introduced.

Mikasa Family

More information Model, Code name ...

Model		Code name	# of CPUs	CPU	CPU MHz	B-cache	Chipset	Memory	Expansion	Enclosure	Introduced	Discontinued
1000	4/200	Mikasa	1	21064 (EV4)	200	2 MB	21071²	512 MB	2 PCI, 1 PCI/EISA, 7 EISA	Pedestal or Rack	?	?
	4/233	Mikasa+		21064A (EV45)	233		21071²	?			1995	?
	4/266	Mikasa+		21064A (EV45)	266		21071²	1 GB (20× 72-pin SIMMs, 4 banks)¹			?	?
	5/300	Mikasa-Pinnacle		21164 (EV5)	300		?	1 GB (20× 72-pin SIMMs, 4 banks)¹			?	?
^1 Each bank contained five SIMMs. The initial four SIMMs were used for data; the fifth SIMM was used for ECC. ^2 AlphaServer 1000 Service Guide EK-DTLSV-SV. B01, page 5-2

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Noritake Family

More information Model, Code name ...

Model		Code name	# of CPUs	CPU	CPU MHz	B-cache	Chipset	Memory	Expansion	Enclosure	Introduced	Discontinued
1000A	4/233	Noritake	1	21064A (EV45)	233	2 MB	21071²	1 GB (20x 72-pin SIMMs, 4 banks)¹	7 PCI 2 ISA	Pedestal or Rack	?	?
	4/266	Noritake		21064A (EV45)	266		21071²				?	?
	5/300	Noritake-Pinnacle		21164 (EV5)	300		?				?	?
	5/333	Noritake-Pinnacle		21164 (EV5)	333		21171²				?	?
	5/400	Noritake-Primo		21164A (EV56)	400		21171²				?	?
	5/500	Noritake-Primo		21164A (EV56)	500	8 MB	?				1997-04-14^[2]	?
800	5/333	Corelle	1	21164A (EV56)	333	2 MB	21171³	2 GB (8x ECC EDO DIMMs, 2 banks)³	3 PCI 2 EISA 1 PCI-X/EISA³	Mini-tower (can be converted to Rack)	1997-04-14^[2]	?
	5/400				400		21171³				1997-04-14^[2]	?
	5/500				500		21171³				1997-10-27^[3]	?
^1 5 modules per bank, 5th module used for ECC, later 1000A 5/500 systems have 16 slots, 4 modules with ECC per bank ^2 AlphaServer 1000A Technical Summary, page 6 ^3 AlphaServer 800 Service Guide EK–ASV80–SG. A01

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Rawhide Family

More information Model, Code name ...

Model		Code name	# of CPUs	CPU	CPU MHz	B-cache / CPU	Chipset	Memory	Expansion	Enclosure	Introduced	Discontinued
4000	5/300	Wrangler/Durango	Up to two	21164 (EV5)	300	2 MB	?	4 GB	8-16 PCI (including 3 shared PCI/EISA)	Pedestal/Rack	1996-09-04^[4]	?
	5/400			21164A (EV56)	400	4 MB	?				1996-09-04^[4]	?
	5/466				466	4 MB	?				?	?
	5/533				533	4 MB	?				1997-10-27^[3]	?
	5/600				600	8 MB	?				?	?
4100	5/300E	Dodge	Up to four	21164 (EV5)	300	None	Custom	32 MB to 8 GB	5 PCI, 3 PCI/EISA	Pedestal/Rack	?	?
	5/300			21164 (EV5)	300	2 MB					?	?
	5/400			21164A (EV56)	400	4 MB					?	?
	5/466				466						?	?
	5/533				533						?	?
	5/600				600	8 MB					?	?
1200	5/400	Tincup	Up to two	21164A (EV56)	400	4 MB / proc.	?	4 GB	4 PCI-X, 1 PCI, 1PCI-X/EISA	Pedestal	1997-10-27^[3]	?
1200	5/533	Tincup	Up to two	21164A (EV56)	533	4 MB / proc.	?	4 GB	4 PCI-X, 1 PCI, 1PCI-X/EISA	Pedestal	1997-10-27^[3]	?

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Turbolaser Family

More information Model, Code name ...

Model		Code name	# of CPUs	CPU	CPU MHz	B-cache / CPU	Chipset	Memory	Expansion	Enclosure	Introduced	Discontinued
8200	5/300	TurboLaser	2 to 6	EV5	300	4 MB	Custom ASICs	12 GB	132 PCI slots, 8 EISA slots	Rack	1995-04-11	?
	5/350			EV5	350	4 MB					?	?
	5/440			EV56	437	4 MB					?	?
	5/625			EV56	612	4 MB					?	?
8400	5/300	TurboLaser	Up to 12 (later 14)	EV5	300	4 MB	Custom ASICs	28 GB	144 PCI, 8 EISA, XMI	Cabinet	1995-04-11	?
	5/350			EV5	350	4 MB					?	?
	5/440			EV56	437	4 MB					?	?
	5/625			EV56	612	4 MB					?	?
GS60	6/525	TL6	2 to 6	EV6	525	4 MB	?	12 GB	132 PCI, 8 EISA	Rack	1998-10-19^[5]	?
GS60	6/700	TL6	2 to 6	EV67	700	8 MB	?	12 GB	132 PCI, 8 EISA	Rack	1999-11-11	?
GS60E	6/525	TL6	2 to 6 (later 8)	EV6	525	4 MB	?	12 GB	132 PCI, 8 EISA	Rack	1999-07-19	?
GS60E	6/700	TL6	2 to 6 (later 8)	EV67	700	8 MB	?	12 GB	132 PCI, 8 EISA	Rack	1999-11-11	?
GS140	6/525	TL6	2 to 14	EV6	525	4 MB	?	28 GB	144 PCI, 8 EISA, 24 XMI	Cabinet	1998-10-19^[5]	?
GS140	6/700	TL6	2 to 14	EV67	700	8 MB	?	28 GB	144 PCI, 8 EISA, 24 XMI	Cabinet	1999-11-11	?

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Lynx Family

More information Model, Code name ...

Model		Code name	# of CPUs	CPU	CPU MHz	B-cache	Chipset	Memory	Expansion	Enclosure	Introduced	Discontinued
2000A		Demi-Lynx (EV45), Demi-Gamma-Lynx (EV5)	Up to two	EV45, EV5 or EV56	233, 250, 275, 300, 375, 400	?	?	?	?	Pedestal	?	?
2100A	4/275	Lynx	Up to 4	21064A (EV45)	275	4 MB	?	2 GB, 1 GB for 4 CPU	8 PCI, 3 EISA	Pedestal	?	?
	5/250	Gamma-Lynx		21164 (EV5)	250	4 MB	?				?	?
	5/300				300	4 MB	?				?	?
	5/375				375	8 MB	?				?	?

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Tsunami Family

More information Model, Code name ...

Model		Code name	# of CPUs	CPU	CPU MHz	B-cache	Chipset	Memory	Expansion	Enclosure	Introduced	Discontinued
DS10	6/466	WebBrick	1	EV6	466	2 MB	21272 (Tsunami) ^[6]	2 GB	3 PCI-X, 1 PCI	desktop	1999-05-10	?
DS10	67/600	WebBrick	1	EV67	600	2 MB	21272 (Tsunami)	2 GB	3 PCI-X, 1 PCI	desktop	?	?
DS10L	6/466	Slate	1	EV6	466	2 MB	21272 (Tsunami) ^[6]	1 GB	1 PCI-X	Rack (1U)	?	?
DS10L	6/600	Slate	1	EV67	600	2 MB	21272 (Tsunami)	1 GB	1 PCI-X	Rack (1U)	2000-04-10^[7]	?
DS20	6/500	Goldrush	Up to 2	21264 (EV6)	500	4 MB	?	4 GB	5PCI-X, 1 PCI-X/ISA	pedestal/Rack	1999-01-02^[8]^[9]^[10]	?
DS20E	6/500	Goldrack	Up to 2	EV6	500	4 MB	21272 (Tsunami) ^[6]	4 GB	5PCI-X, 1 PCI-X/ISA	pedestal/Rack	?	?
	6/667			EV67	667	8 MB	21272 (Tsunami)				2000-04-10^[7]	?
	68/833			EV68AL	833	8 MB	?				2001-07-16	?
DS20L	68/833	Shark	2	EV68AL	833	4 MB	21271(Tsunami)	2 GB	2 PCI-X	Rack (1U)	2001-07-16	?
ES40	6/500	Clipper	Up to 4	EV6	500	4 MB	21272(Tsunami/Typhoon)^[11]	Model 1: 16 GB Model 2: 32 GB^[12]	Model 1: 6 PCI-X Model 2: 10 PCI-X	pedestal/Rack	1999-04-22^[8]^[13]^[14]	?
	6/667			EV67	667	8 MB	21272(Tsunami/Typhoon)^[15]				2000-04-10^[7]	?
	68/833			EV68AL	833	8 MB	?				2001-02-12	?

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Titan Family

More information Model, Code name ...

Model		Code name	# of CPUs	CPU	CPU MHz	B-cache	Chipset	Memory	Expansion	Enclosure	Introduced	Discontinued
DS15	68/1000	HyperBrick	1	EV68CB	1000	2 MB	?	4 GB	4 PCI-X 33 MHz or 2 PCI-X 66 MHz	Tower	2003-10-20	2007-04-27
DS25	68/1000	Granite	Up to 2	EV68CB	1000	8 MB	?	16 GB	6 PCI-X	Tower/5U Rack	2002-08-04^[16]	?
ES45	68/1000	Privateer	Up to 4	EV68CB	1000	8 MB	?	1: Up to 16 GB 2: Up to 32 GB	1: AGP 4x, 6 PCI-X 2: 10 PCI-X	Pedestal/8U Rack, tower	?	?
ES45	68/1250	Privateer	Up to 4	EV68CB	1250	16 MB	?	1: Up to 16 GB 2: Up to 32 GB	1: AGP 4x, 6 PCI-X 2: 10 PCI-X	Pedestal/8U Rack, tower	2002-08-04^[16]	?

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Wildfire Family

More information Model, Code name ...

Model	Code name	# of CPUs	CPU	CPU MHz	B-cache	Chipset	Memory	Expansion	Enclosure	Introduced	Discontinued
GS80	Wildfire	Model 4: 2 to 4 Model 8: 2 to 8	21264A (EV67)	731	4 MB	Custom	Up to 64 GB	33 MHz PCI-X: Up to 16 buses, 56 slots	Rack	2000-05-16^[17]	?
			21264C (EV68CB)	1001	4, 8 MB					?	?
			21264C (EV68CB)	1224	4, 8, 16 MB					2002-08-04^[16]	?
GS160	Wildfire	Model 8: 2 to 8 Model 16: 2 to 16	21264A (EV67)	731	4 MB	Custom	Up to 128 GB	33 MHz PCI-X: Up to 32 buses, 112 slots	Rack(s)	2000-05-16^[17]	?
			21264C (EV68CB)	1001	4, 8 MB					?	?
			21264C (EV68CB)	1224	4, 8, 16 MB					2002-08-04^[16]	?
GS320	Wildfire	Model 24: 2 to 24 Model 32: 2 to 32	21264A (EV67)	731	4 MB	Custom	Up to 256 GB	33 MHz PCI-X: Up to 64 buses, 224 slots	Rack(s)	2000-05-16^[17]	?
			21264C (EV68CB)	1001	4, 8 MB					?	?
			21264C (EV68CB)	1224	4, 8, 16 MB					2002-08-04^[16]	?

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AlphaServer SC

More information Model, Code name ...

Model	Code name	# of CPUs	CPU	CPU MHz	B-cache	Chipset	Max. Memory	Expansion	Enclosure	Introduced	Discontinued
SC20 68/833	?	8 to 256	21264B EV68AL	833	2 MB	?	2 GB/node	2 PCI-X	Rack(s)	2002-05-02^[18]	?
SC40 67/667	Sierra	64 to 512	21264A EV67	667	8 MB	?	24 GB/node	10 PCI-X	Rack(s)	1999-11-17^[19]	?
SC40 68/833	Sierra	64 to 512	21264B EV68AL	833	8 MB	?	24 GB/node	10 PCI-X	Rack(s)	?	?
SC45 68/1250	Sierra	16 to 4096	21264C EV68CB	1250	16 MB	?	32 GB/node	10 PCI-X	Rack(s)	?	?

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The AlphaServer SC was a supercomputer constructed from a set of individual DS20L, ES40 or ES45 servers (called "nodes") mounted in racks. Every node was connected to every other node using a Quadrics elan3 interconnect and the systems were designed and used primarily for high-performance technical computing. An AlphaServer SC45 supercomputer was still ranked #6 in the world as late as November 2004.^[20]

Marvel Family

More information Model, Code name ...

Model	Code name	# of CPUs	CPU	CPU MHz	Scache	Chipset	Memory	Expansion	Enclosure	CPU Drawers	Introduced	Discontinued
ES47^[21]	?	1 to 2	21364 (EV7)	1000 1150	1.75 MB	?	Up to 16 GB	1 AGP 5 PCI/PCI-X slots	Tower	n/a	2003-01-20^[22]	2007-04-27
ES47^[21]	?	1 to 4	21364 (EV7)	1000 1150	1.75 MB	?	Up to 32 GB	Up to 4 AGP Up to 32 PCI/PCI-X slots	Rack	1 to 2 2-CPU drawers	2003-01-20^[22]	2007-04-27
ES80^[21]	?	4 to 8	21364 (EV7)	1000 1150	1.75 MB	?	Up to 64 GB	Up to 8 AGP Up to 64 PCI/PCI-X slots	Rack	1 to 4 2-CPU drawers	2003-01-20^[22]	2007-04-27
GS1280^[21]	?	8 to 64	21364 (EV7)	1150	1.75 MB	?	Up to 512 GB	Up to 64 AGP Up to 704 PCI/PCI-X slots	Rack(s)	1 to 8 8-CPU drawers	2003-01-20^[22]	2007-04-27
GS1280^[21]	?	8 to 64	21364 EV7z	1300	?	?	Up to 512 GB	Up to 64 AGP Up to 704 PCI/PCI-X slots	Rack(s)	1 to 8 8-CPU drawers	2004-08-16	2007-04-27

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The AlphaServer GS1280 originally supported a maximum of 16 microprocessors. In October 2003, the number of microprocessors supported was increased to 64 and the supported memory capacity was doubled to 8 GB per microprocessor.

[1]
MEDITECH MAGIC on the Compaq Alpha platform
[2]
Davis, Jim (1997-04-14). "Digital makes servers available". CNET News.
[3]
Davis, Jim (1997-10-27). "Digital has new Alpha, Intel servers". CNET News.
[4]
Davis, Jim (1996-09-04). "DEC: more power, less money". CNET News.
[5]
Shankland, Stephen (1998-10-19). "Compaq rolls out Alpha server". CNET News.
[6]
Exploring Alpha Power for Technical Computing Compaq Technology Brief
[7]
Announcing enhanced high availability AlphaServer systems and new NonStop™ eBusiness solutions
[8]
"Compaq News (Apr 1999)". Archived from the original on 1999-04-22. Retrieved 2021-04-23.
[9]
New Compaq AlphaServer DS20 Boasts 64-Bit Alpha Power, Entry-Level Price
[10]
Compaq AlphaServer DS20 System
[11]
AlphaServer ES40Service Guide (Order Number:EK–ES240–SV. A01), Appendix D - 21264 (EV6) internal processor registers, 21272 (Tsunami/Typhoon) system support chipset registers, dual-port RAM registers
[12]
AlphaServer ES40 Technical Summary
[13]
Announcing the Compaq AlphaServer ES40 system
[14]
Compaq AlphaServer ES40 product information
[15]
AlphaServer ES40 Service Guide (Order Number:EK–ES240–SV. B01), Appendix D - 21264 (EV6/EV67) internal processor registers, 21272 (Tsunami/Typhoon) system support chipset registers, dual-port RAM registers
[16]
ComputerWire (2002-08-04). "HP refreshes midrange PA, Alpha servers". The Register.
[17]
New AlphaServer GS Systems Set Standard for RISC Servers Press Release
[18]
Announcing the HP AlphaServer DS20L compute engine and the HP AlphaServer SC20 supercomputer
[19]
Compaq (1999-11-17). Compaq Flexes Alpha Muscle with Launch of New "Supercomputer" – the AlphaServer SC Series. Press Release
[20]
"November 2004 | TOP500 Supercomputer Sites". Top500.org. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
[21]
Hewlett-Packard (2004-06-01). HP AlphaServer ES47/ES80/GS1280 User Information Version 3.0. HP AlphaServer ES47/ES80/GS1280 User Information Version 3.0
[22]
HP Press Release (2003-01-20). "HP Introduces Most Powerful Generation of AlphaServer Systems". HP Press Release.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to AlphaServer.

HP AlphaServer range
DIGITAL Product Catalogue Winter 1997, Digital Equipment International, 1997.
Compaq Alpha System and Model Code Names (at archive.org)
HP Introduces Most Powerful Generation of AlphaServer Systems At archive.org HP Press Release (2003-01-20).
HP AlphaServer ES47/ES80/GS1280 User Information Version 3.0 (at archive.org)
FreeBSD/alpha 6.1 Hardware Notes
About NetBSD/alpha
The OpenBSD/alpha port
Debian Alpha system types

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