Closer to the machinery, VME based computers contain the interface hardware, and run most real-time tasks under the VxWorks operating system. Hardware interfaces are provided to connect the telescope servos and instrumentation to the computer systems.
The real-time needs of the telescope are met using Motorola MVME-167 68040 based SBC's. Twelve of these run M&C code, while 2 others are supplied with the contractor's servo system. See Table 2 for the features found on the MVME-167.
| 68040 CPU, 33 MHz |
| 8 MB RAM |
| SCSI Interface |
| 10 Mbit/s Ethernet Interface |
| 4 Serial Ports |
| 1 Parallel Port |
| 4 Counter/Timers |
| Demonstrated MTBF: |
| Mean 147,507 hours (16.8 years) |
| 90% Confidence 85,522 hours(9.8 years) |