Digital Equipment Corporation

Digital Equipment Corporation, founded in Maynard, Massachusetts in 1957, was for decades the second largest computer company in the world, known for the PDP and VAX minicomputer families and later for the 64-bit Alpha processor line. Its networking division produced the DEChub 900 MultiSwitch, a modular chassis carrying VNswitch bridging modules, DECconcentrator FDDI cards and Fast Ethernet interfaces. Compaq acquired Digital in 1998 and HP acquired Compaq in 2002, so much of the estate now sits under later part numbering while the hardware keeps its original DEC badge. Tech-Star supplies new and refurbished Digital hardware including DEChub 900 chassis power supplies, VNswitch 900 series modules, DECconcentrator FDDI cards, Fast Ethernet modules and AlphaServer systems. Refurbished DEC hardware remains in demand for maintaining legacy Alpha and DEChub installations still running in production. Submit any Digital part number via the enquiry form for current pricing, condition information and availability.

Digital, Compaq, HP, 3Com and H3C: how they connect

This chain spans several formerly separate companies whose hardware still carries its original badge. It starts with Digital Equipment Corporation.

  • 1998: Compaq acquired Digital Equipment Corporation, taking on the VAX, Alpha and DECnet lines along with the DEChub networking range.
  • 2002: HP acquired Compaq. ProLiant servers and the related enterprise lines continued under HP.
  • 2010: HP acquired 3Com, whose switching became HP Networking. The deal included H3C, originally the 2003 joint venture between Huawei and 3Com.
  • 2015: HP split into HP Inc and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). A split, not a sale; part numbers continued unchanged.

The badge on the unit dates it rather than changing what it is or what supports it. Tech-Star catalogues each part under its original badge: see Hewlett Packard, Compaq, 3Com and H3C.

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