Sun Microsyste

NVIDIA nForce Professional

The Sun Fire X4600 also uses the following NVIDIA nForce Professional chipsets:

NVIDIA nForce 2200

NVIDIA nForce 2050

Both the NVIDIA nForce Professional 2200 and NVIDIA nForce Professional 2050 MCPs (media and communi- cations processors) provide I/O connectivity to a CPU via a 1-GHz, 8-GB/sec. HyperTransport connection. The NVIDIA nForce Professional 2200 attaches to the AMD 8132 PCI-X tunnel, while the NVIDIA nForce Pro- fessional 2050 attaches to CPU H.

The NVIDIA nForce Professional 2200 supports the following features:

Three PCI-E ports (two 8-lane and one 4-lane)

Independent IDE connection to DVD

LPC connection to Super I/O

Six USB 2.0 ports (three for external use and three for ILOM)

PCI connection to ATI Rage XL

The NVIDIA nForce Professional 2050 supports the following features:

Three PCI-E ports (two 8-lane and one 4-lane)

LSI SAS1064 SAS Controller

Sun Fire X4600 servers include an integrated LSI SAS1064 4-port 3-GB/sec. SAS HW RAID disk controller. The LSI SAS1064 is a versatile controller that provides 4 SAS ports capable of 3 GB/sec. data transfers for each phys, for a total maximum bandwidth of 12 GB/sec.

SAS features of the LSI SAS1064 include:

Four fully independent phys

Support for 3 GB/sec. SAS data transfers for each phys

High-performance, serial, point-to-point, enterprise-level storage interface

Simplified cabling between devices

Data transfers using SCSI information units

133 MHz 64-bit PCI-X interface (shared bus with PCI-X 100 MHz slots)

Integrated RAID0 and RAID1 solutions provide Integrated Mirroring technology and Integrated Striping technology

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Sun Microsystems X4600 M2 manual LSI SAS1064 SAS Controller, Nvidia nForce Professional

X4600 M2, X4600 specifications

Sun Microsystems was a pioneering technology company that developed innovative hardware and software solutions, most notably in the server industry. Among their notable offerings were the Sun Fire X4600 and X4600 M2 servers. These high-performance systems were designed to meet the growing demands for scalability, flexibility, and reliability in enterprise-level computing environments.

The Sun Fire X4600 was introduced as one of the first four-socket, x86 servers specifically optimized for demanding workloads. Powered by AMD Opteron processors, the X4600 was capable of supporting up to 64GB of memory, which was a significant advantage for memory-intensive applications. Its architecture enabled efficient parallel processing, making it an ideal choice for tasks such as database management and virtualization.

One of the defining characteristics of the X4600 was its modular design. The server featured a combination of innovative technologies that allowed it to be easily expanded and upgraded. This made it well-suited for businesses seeking a long-term investment in their IT infrastructure, as it provided room for growth without necessitating a complete system overhaul.

The X4600 M2, an evolution of the original X4600 model, offered further enhancements in performance and flexibility. It supported the next generation of AMD Opteron processors, providing increased processing power and efficiency. Additionally, the M2 model enhanced memory capacity, allowing for a maximum of 128GB of RAM, catering to the more urgent needs of resource-intensive applications.

One of the key technologies incorporated in the X4600 and X4600 M2 was the Sun Fire’s Advanced Lights Out Management (ALOM), which allowed for remote management capabilities. This feature enabled IT administrators to monitor system health and performance without being physically present, reducing downtime and improving overall system management.

Both servers also offered extensive storage options, combining numerous high-capacity drive bays to ensure ample disk space for data-heavy applications. Their effective cooling solutions made them suitable for even the most demanding environments, ensuring optimal performance and longevity.

In conclusion, Sun Microsystems' X4600 and X4600 M2 servers represented significant advancements in server technology. With their powerful architectures, flexible configurations, and innovative management features, they met the evolving demands of modern enterprise environments, solidifying their position as trusted solutions for robust computing needs.