Technology Overview

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Xserve G5

Technical Specifications

Hardware

Processor

Single or dual 2GHz PowerPC G5 processors

PowerPC processor architecture with 64-bit data paths and registers

Native support for 32-bit application code

512K on-chip L2 cache running at processor speed

Parallel execution architecture supporting up to 215 simultaneous in-flight instructions

Simultaneous issue of up to 10 out-of-order operations

Dual-pipeline Velocity Engine for 128-bit single-instruction, multiple-data (SIMD) processing

Two independent double-precision floating-point units

Two integer units

Advanced three-component branch prediction logic

64-bit, 1GHz DDR frontside bus per processor, each supporting up to 8GB/s data throughput

Point-to-point system controller with support for ECC memory

Memory

128-bit data paths for up to 6.4GB/s memory throughput

512MB or1GB of PC3200 (400MHz) DDR SDRAM

Data protection using Error Correction Code (ECC) logic

Eight slots supporting up to 8GB of DDR SDRAM using the following DIMMs (in pairs):

256MB DIMMs (128-bit-wide, 128- or 256-Mbit technology)

512MB DIMMs (64-bit-wide, 256-Mbit technology)

1GB DIMMs (64-bit-wide, 256-Mbit technology)

I/O connections

Two open11-inch, 64-bit PCI-X slots, running at up to133MHz with one card installed or up to 100MHz with two cards installed; support for 32-bit or 64-bit 3.3V Universal PCI cards running at 33MHz or 66MHz6

Two independent 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit) RJ-45 Ethernet interfaces on the main logic board

Two 1.2MHz HyperTransport interconnects with the following throughput:

Up to 4.8GB/s (2.4GB/s each way) between system controller and PCI-X

Up to1.6GB/s (800MB/s each way) between system controller and I/O controller

Two FireWire 800 ports on back panel and one FireWire 400 port on front panel; 15W total power

Two USB 2.0 ports (480Mb/s each)

One DB-9 serial port (RS-232)

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Apple Xserve G5 manual Technical Specifications, Hardware, Processor, Memory, Connections

Xserve G5 specifications

The Apple Xserve G5 was a powerful rack-mounted server that was introduced by Apple in 2004. Built on the robust PowerPC architecture, it marked a significant entry into the enterprise server market for the company, reflecting its commitment to high-performance computing and advanced technology solutions.

One of the main features of the Xserve G5 was its dual dual-core PowerPC G5 processors, which allowed for exceptional computation performance. This configuration enabled up to 8 processing cores in a single server unit, significantly enhancing multitasking capabilities and making it suitable for high-demand applications. With support for up to 16GB of DDR SDRAM, the server ensured ample memory for intensive operations and large-scale data processing tasks.

In terms of storage, the Xserve G5 featured a versatile design that supported up to four hot-swappable Serial ATA (SATA) drive bays. This capability enabled users to easily replace or upgrade hard drives without downtime, which is crucial in enterprise environments. The server also supported RAID configurations, offering options for increased reliability and data redundancy.

Networking capabilities were another highlight of the Xserve G5. It came equipped with dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, providing robust network throughput and redundancy. This feature was particularly valuable for mission-critical applications where uptime and performance were essential. Additionally, the Xserve G5 was compatible with various networking protocols and featured built-in support for Active Directory, simplifying integration into existing IT infrastructures.

The operating system of choice for the Xserve G5 was Mac OS X Server, which offered a user-friendly interface along with powerful server management tools. The software provided a wide range of services, including file sharing, web hosting, and email services, tailored for small to medium enterprises and education institutions.

For those seeking expandability, the Xserve G5 boasted a PCI-X expansion slot, allowing users to add various hardware components such as additional network interfaces or specialized processing cards.

In terms of its physical design, the Xserve G5 had a sleek, 1U form factor, making it easy to integrate into existing server racks while maintaining a modern aesthetic. The efficient cooling system was designed to keep the unit running optimally, ensuring reliability during extended periods of use.

In conclusion, the Apple Xserve G5 represented a significant advance in server technology with its powerful dual G5 processors, ample memory and storage options, and robust networking capabilities. Its combination of performance and user-friendly Mac OS X Server made it a notable choice for organizations seeking reliable computing solutions in the mid-2000s.