Functional Description

B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B.1 System Overview

The 16-slot and 8-slot Enterprise 6000 and 5000 cabinet servers, and the 8-slot Enterprise 4000 standalone server, all use variations of the same general card cage design. All systems feature shared-memory multiprocessors and use the same boards, power/cooling modules (PCMs), and operating software.

B.1.1 Board Types

All systems use the same board types, with the exception of load boards and filler panels.

1.The CPU/Memory board supports up to two UltraSPARC modules and 16 SIMM slots.

2.The SBus I/O board includes two separate SBuses, each controlled by a separate ASIC. The board provides a total of three SBus slots for plug-in cards, two slots for fiber interface modules. The remaining slots are used for onboard devices.

3.The Graphics I/O board provides an SBus with two SBus slots and several onboard devices. This board also has a specialized slot for devices such as the graphics (UPA) card, a high performance frame buffer.

4.In the Enterprise 6000 system, empty board slots require load boards (part number 501-3142) to reduce the possibility of RFI generation. The Enterprise 5000 and 4000 systems use filler panels (part number 540-2592).

B-1

Page 225
Image 225
Sun Microsystems 4000, 5000, 6000 manual Functional Description, System Overview, Board Types

4000, 5000, 6000 specifications

Sun Microsystems, a pivotal player in the computing industry during the late 20th and early 21st centuries, was renowned for its innovative hardware and software solutions. Among its notable offerings were the Sun-6000, Sun-5000, and Sun-4000 series, powerful workstations and servers designed for a range of enterprise-level applications.

The Sun-6000 series, introduced in the early 1990s, marked a significant advancement in computing performance. These systems were built on the SPARC architecture, which facilitated high levels of processing power and multitasking capabilities. One of the main features of the 6000 series was its scalability, allowing organizations to increase their processing power by adding more modules. It also offered robust graphics performance, making it ideal for scientific visualization and complex data analysis.

Next in line was the Sun-5000 series. Launched shortly after the 6000 series, the 5000 line was celebrated for its reliability and ease of management. This series emphasized a balanced architecture, which combined processing capabilities with ample memory and storage options. Key characteristics included support for multiple processors, leading to improved performance for demanding applications. Additionally, the 5000 systems featured advanced input/output capabilities, ensuring fast data transfers—crucial for database applications and web servers.

Finally, the Sun-4000 series targeted businesses seeking affordable yet potent computing solutions. These servers boasted a modular design, allowing for easy upgrades and maintenance. The 4000 series was particularly notable for its support for various operating systems, including SunOS and Solaris. These systems were engineered to handle a range of workloads, from enterprise resource planning to web hosting, while still fitting into a value-driven budget.

Across all three series, Sun Microsystems prioritized compatibility and integration, ensuring that each system offered seamless connectivity with Sun's software solutions and third-party applications. Their commitment to open standards and interoperability set them apart in the competitive landscape of enterprise computing. Additionally, the use of high-quality components lent the systems durability, making them a wise investment for organizations looking to future-proof their IT infrastructure.

In summary, the Sun-6000, 5000, and 4000 series exemplified Sun Microsystems' ethos of innovation and reliability. These powerful systems catered to diverse business needs, setting benchmarks in performance and functionality that continue to influence modern computing.