Sun Microsystems manual Sun Fire 880 Server Product Notes December

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SunVTS dpmtest fails on dual-loop internal storage array (BugID 4487855)

If you use SunVTS 4.4 software on a Sun Fire 880 system that includes a Sun StorEdge PCI Dual Fibre Channel Host Adapter card to control Loop B of the internal storage array, the SunVTS dpmtest will fail. This test failure results from a problem in the SunVTS diagnostic code and should not be interpreted as a problem with the server or its internal storage array.

Note Patch 111854-01 or later fixes this issue. See “Required And Recommended Software Patches” on page 3.

Wrong packet error seen by loopback subtest in dpmtest (Bug ID 4493252)

On Sun Fire 880 systems running SunVTS 4.4 and executing the dpmtest concurrently on both fibre and I2C interfaces, a rare race condition exists in which commands from each side may arrive at the backplane essentially simultaneously and the response from one may overwrite part of the other, causing a false error message in Sun VTS. The error message will be similar to the following message:

VTSID 6021 dpmtest.do_fibre_loopbacks.ERROR ses0:Sent loopback packet 0x8B on ses0 but received packet 0x0 Probable_Cause(s): (...)

This condition is self-correcting, and will not occur in rapid succession except in a true failure situation. Therefore, if this message is seen in isolation, or with at least 10 minutes separation from any other occurrence of the same message, it can be safely disregarded.

Note For further information about this issue, see the SunSolve Online web site.

prtdiag reports fan failures as ENABLED with a speed of 0 (BugID 4431194)

On Sun Fire 880 systems running the Solaris 8 7/01 or 8 10/01 operating environment, the Solaris prtdiag command will sometimes report a failed fan as being ENABLED. This situation can arise when a fan tray assembly has failed and there is no redundant fan tray assembly for the system to activate. In this case, the fan tray with the faulty fan remains ENABLED (it continues to receive power) so that the other fan in the fan tray can continue to operate. The ENABLED status should not be interpreted as an OK status. It simply indicates that the fan tray is

22 Sun Fire 880 Server Product Notes • December 2001

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Contents Sun Fire 880 Server Product Notes Please Recycle Contents Open Issues Contents Vi Sun Fire 880 Server Product Notes December Product Name Equivalence Document Revision HistoryAvailable Online Documentation System Software RequirementsRequired And Recommended Software Patches Required Software Patches for Solaris 8 10/01Required Software Patches for Solaris 8 07/01 Sun Fire 880 Required Patches for Solaris 8 07/01Sun PCI Cards That Support PCI Hot-Plug Highly Recommended Sun Fire 880 PatchSun Fire 880 Server Product Notes December OpenBoot Firmware Documentation FC-AL Disk Drive Firmware IssuesInstalling Sun Fire 880 FC-AL Backplane Firmware Place the security keyswitch in the Normal position System Hang Recovery Procedure Place the security keyswitch in the Locked positionSun Fire 880 Server Product Notes Supported Sun Rack for the Sun Fire Sun Fire 880 Server Rackmounting Caution ReminderCorrection to the Motherboard Fan Tray Removal Procedure Documentation ErrataCorrection to Disk Drive Installation Procedure Correction to FC-AL Disk Cage Installation Procedure Correction to FRU Part NumbersKey Description Part Number Ok boot -s Correct Usage of the ifconfig Command for PCI Hot-Plug Correction to the diag-triggerSetting for Enabling ASRCorrection to Displaying Post Results Open Issues Correction to the Attachment Point IDs for DR ProceduresSun Fire 880 Server Product Notes December Sun Fire 880 Server Product Notes Sun Fire 880 Server Product Notes December Intermittent picld errors during power supply hot-plug BugID Hsfs hsnode table full BugIDs 4082275Resetting scsi bus, data overrun CE memory reporting is ambiguous BugID PCI Hot-plug insert message is wrong for slots 7 and 8 BugID PCI attachment points should be generic BugIDStatus LED may not shut off after PCI hot-plug BugID Sun Fire 880 Server Product Notes December

880 specifications

The Sun Microsystems 880 is a prominent series of workstations and servers that played a significant role in the computing landscape during the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was known for its innovative technologies and robust performance, making it a favored choice for both developers and enterprises. The 880 series was powered by the SPARC (Scalable Processor ARChitecture) architecture developed by Sun, which provided enhanced speed and efficiency.

One of the standout features of the Sun 880 was its multiprocessing capability, allowing multiple processors to work simultaneously. This capability ensured high performance for demanding tasks, making it ideal for applications in scientific research, graphics, and large databases. The architecture supported a wide range of operating systems, with SunOS being the most notable, providing a stable and powerful environment for users.

The Sun 880 also incorporated advanced memory management features, including support for virtual memory, which allowed for more effective use of system resources. Users could run multiple applications simultaneously without compromising system performance. The system architecture was designed to handle large amounts of RAM, which was essential for memory-intensive applications, further enhancing its suitability for professional use.

Another characteristic of the Sun 880 series was its modular design, which allowed for easy upgrades and maintenance. This modular approach meant that users could customize their systems according to their specific needs, whether that involved adding more memory, upgrading processors, or incorporating additional storage solutions. The high flexibility made it appealing to businesses that required tailored solutions.

In terms of connectivity, the Sun 880 featured a variety of ports and interfaces, enabling integration with various peripheral devices. This made it possible to connect printers, scanners, and other essential tools, facilitating seamless operation in office environments.

The Sun 880's impressive combination of processing power, expandability, and superior memory management made it a cornerstone in the evolution of workstations and servers during its time. As technology progressed, the Sun 880 helped pave the way for subsequent generations of computing systems, leaving a lasting legacy in the realm of high-performance computing. The architecture and design principles laid down by the Sun 880 continue to influence modern computing technologies today.