Hardware Overview 25

approaches to the abstraction of hardware will reduce the burden on

hardware developers who produce differentiated machines.

• Architects a mechanism for error handling, error reporting, and fault

isolation. The architecture provides for the implementation of more robust

systems if desired by the system developers.

• Architects a mechanism for dynamic reconfiguration of the hardware.

2.1.4 RPA Minimum System Requirements

Table 3 contains the RPA compliance, minimum system requirements for the

workstations addressed in this publication.

Table 3. RPA Minimum System Requirements
SUBSYSTEM SPECIFICATION REQUIRED SUPPORT
Processor PowerPC microprocessor R Yes
Minimum system memory 8 MB expandable to at least 32
MB R Yes (128 MB min)
Firmware storage Sized as needed R Yes (1 MB Flash)
Non-volatile memory 8 KB R Yes (64 KB)
External cache Recommended for performance O Yes (1 MB)
Hard disk1SCSI R Yes
Floppy1
3.5" 1.44 MB MFM
Media sense
Manual eject
O
R
R
R
Yes
Yes
Not supported
Yes
CD ROM 4X speed
ISO9660
Multi-session
O
R
R
R
Yes
Yes 32X Speed
Yes
Yes
Alphanumeric input device1
PS/2 keyboard interface
Terminal
R
R
O
Yes
Yes
Yes
Pointing device1
2 buttons
PS/2 Interface
R
R
R
Yes
Yes (3 button)
Yes
Required definition
R - Required
O - Optional