4

4.4 Hot-Plug Feature

Enterprise systems have extensive error detection mechanisms, and an Automatic System Reconfiguration (ASR) feature that enables the system to be rebooted with failed components (such as CPUs, memory, or I/O) disabled. When an error is detected, the system can be reconfigured so that the board containing the failed components is placed in low power mode and is no longer accessible.

Caution – The peripheral power supply provides the precharge voltages required for hot-plug. Do not attempt hot-plug of a system component if the power supply is missing or inoperative. Use prtdiag(1M) to determine the status of the peripheral power supply.

Caution – If the message: NOTICE: Hot Plug not supported in this system is displayed during boot, do NOT attempt hot-plug in this system or damage to the hardware will occur.

The hot-plug feature enables you to insert a new board into a powered on system, despite the system being “live,” or being supplied with electrical power. When the hot-plug feature is used to add a board to a powered on system, the system will not use the new board until the system is rebooted.

4.5 I/O Boards

Enterprise systems support two types of I/O boards: SBus and Graphics. See

Figure 4-4 through Figure 4-7.

The SBus I/O board includes two SYSIO ASICs that provide two SBuses:

One for two plug-in SBus cards and two fiber interfaces

One for one plug-in SBus card and the on-board devices (10/100Mbyte TPE and Single-ended Fast/Wide SCSI)

Note – SBus connector slots 1 and 2 on the SBus I/O board can accommodate a double-wide SBus card.

I/O Boards and Components

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Sun Microsystems 6000, 4000, 5000 manual Hot-Plug Feature, I/O Boards

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.