---------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPARCstation 2 Family SunFLASH Vol 23 #6 November 1990 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note that press announcement includes 4 footnotes. - johnj ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUN INTRODUCES ITS FASTEST DESKTOP FAMILY EVER Includes Power-User 3-D Graphics Models, Fast, Low-Cost Server SAN FRANCISCO -- November 5, 1990 -- Sun Microsystems today unveiled the world's fastest SPARC desktop computers: the SPARCstation (TM) 2 family. At 21 SPECmarks (1) , this compact new series of systems delivers nearly twice the speed of Sun's top-of-the-line desktop, the SPARCstation 1+, yet still squeezes all the electronics into the small "pizza box" CPU package introduced with the first SPARCstation in 1989. The system offers 16 megabytes of memory and accelerated graphics as standard features, making it a high-powered, affordable solution for the most demanding applications. The $14,995 (disk-ful entry price) SPARCstation 2 is aimed at power users in Sun's traditional scientific/technical markets as well as commercial users who need a significant level of performance. The system makes up the high end of the best-selling SPARCstation desktop line. It joins the low-end SPARCstation SLC ($4,995) and color SPARCstation IPC ($8,995), comprising an affordable, full-function family of desktop RISC workstations consistently. In addition, Sun unveiled a pair of high-performance graphics workstations based on the SPARCstation 2 that significantly lowers the price of fast, true-color, 3-D graphics. These systems showcase the innovative, highly integrated, low-cost approach to graphics hardware design that Sun pioneered in its GX models, introduced last year. Also introduced today was the SPARCserver (TM) 2, a speedy, low-cost system with exceptional I/O performance and expandability. It is among the most powerful database and NFS (R) file servers in its class. "With the SPARCstation 2 and its sophisticated graphics, Sun has demonstrated a major commitment to making affordable 3-D graphics a reality," said Ed Zander, vice president of marketing at Sun. "Unlike many other desktops, high-performance graphics aren't an expensive add-on with the SPARCstation 2. We've lowered the price of true-color 3-D graphics to levels that professionals can afford." SPARCstation 2: Power In A "Pizza Box" The SPARCstation 2 is packaged in the same compact "pizza box" CPU enclosure as the SPARCstation 1+. Engineering enhancements enable the new system to deliver a 50 percent improvement in data throughput and nearly a two-fold improvement in CPU performance over the SPARCstation 1+, which is already the industry's best-selling RISC computer. While Sun prefers SPECmarks as a more meaningful performance measure, the new system also offers 28.5 MIPS and 4.2 MFLOPS. The various models in the new family share several features. They are: SPARC Processor - The system includes the fastest CMOS SPARC processor available today (40 MHz), and also conforms to the SPARC Compliance Definition (SCD) 1.0, assuring compatibility with SCD-compliant SPARC systems from other vendors. The new system can run more than 2,100 SPARCware (TM) solutions from third-party vendors. Integration - Besides the SPARC processor and floating point co-processor, this small CPU board packs in SCSI, Ethernet, memory, serial ports and audio -- all in a space no larger than a sheet of paper (8.5 x 11 inches). Ease of Use - Simple, intuitive operation is made possible through the OPEN LOOK (R) graphical user interface. For example, the DeskSet (TM) productivity tools included with the system -- such as a file manager and mail tool -- utilize OPEN LOOK's pull-down menus and special "drag and drop" capabilities. UNIX(R) - Sun's operating system, SunOS (TM), is compatible with the standard UNIX, System V Release 4. Among recent enhancements are faster throughput and streamlined installation. Graphics - Besides an entry-level monochrome version, there is a standard color model that features built-in accelerated GX graphics. For full-featured 3-D graphics, Sun offers the GS and GT color models. Memory - This is the first high-volume, general-purpose desktop system shipped standard with 16 megabytes of memory, expandable to 96 megabytes. Storage/Expandability - The system has a 3.5-inch, 1.44-megabyte, DOS-compatible floppy drive, as well as supporting up to 414 megabytes of internal hard disk storage. Using external storage devices, the total capacity is 7.6 gigabytes. Three SBus slots are included. There are serial ports for connecting modems, printers, scanners and other peripherals. Networking - There is built-in support for networking protocols such as NFS, TCP/IP, PC-NFS(R) and TOPS. An Ethernet port is also included. Audio - The system has the same audio input/output capabilities found on all desktop SPARCstations. Fast Graphics, Little Box: SPARCstation 2GS The SPARCstation 2GS is a complete 3-D graphics workstation capable of performing full-featured 3-D solids modeling -- which allows users to manipulate complex models at or close to real time, depending on application -- and 24-bit true-color rendering. Unlike competing 3-D workstations, the Sun system does not require costly "add-on" hardware to make it a usable 3-D solution. Instead, all graphics hardware comes standard in the base configuration. "Packing so much graphics functionality into a small space was an engineering marvel by our designers," said Zander. The pizza box includes the necessary hardware to perform all critical 3-D functions: Gouraud shading, lighting, Z-buffering for hidden surface removal, double buffering for smooth animation, depth-cueing, picking and support of up to eight separate light sources. "This system is so powerful, yet inexpensive, that it will become an everyday graphics workhorse in companies that haven't until now been able to afford a high-end graphics workstation for every desk," Zander noted. "And no other workstation runs such a large suite of leading MCAD applications." These include products from McDonnell Douglas, MCS Anvil, PDA Engineering, Prime/Computervision and SDRC. The system accelerates standard SunPHIGS (TM) and the XGL (TM) graphics software libraries, with speeds of up to 150,000 (2) 3-D vectors per second and 20,000 (3) Z-buffered, Gouraud-shaded polygons per second. This exceptional 3-D performance means that mechanical CAD, molecular modeling, animation, simulation, GIS, mapping and scientific research applications run at or near live motion speed. The SPARCstation 2GS delivers twice the 3-D performance of the IBM RS/6000 320 and costs one-third less. Compared to a similarly configured system from Silicon Graphics, the SPARCstation 2GS offers equivalent CPU and graphics performance but is more than $10,000 less expensive. When Fast Isn't Fast Enough: SPARCstation 2GT For users with even more sophisticated graphics requirements, Sun designed the SPARCstation 2GT. Featuring specialized hardware in a sleek tower unit that attaches to the pizza box, this system delivers five times the graphics speed of the GS model and higher-quality rendering capabilities. Among the many design features of Sun's high-end graphics workstation is the best hardware anti-aliasing in the industry -- on any system from workstations to supercomputers. This sophisticated graphics technique allows the display of images with unparalleled clarity, smoothing jagged edges and offering startling realism. Besides being technically superior, the Sun system with its anti-aliasing is less expensive than competing hardware that uses this technology. Another engineering innovation is Sun's new DLX (TM), a virtual display list accelerator. The DLX manages graphics databases -- display lists -- freeing the CPU for other tasks and thus speeding up overall system performance. The SPARCstation GT uses a 108-bit plane graphics engine that lets users manipulate even the most complex true-color 3-D models. The high rendering quality and system performance will appeal to power users in high-end 3-D design, detailed computer animation, visual simulation, government, mapping and molecular modeling environments that, until now, have been limited to the most expensive graphics systems on the market. The SPARCstation 2GT can process 500,000 (2) 3-D vectors per second, 100,000 (3) Gouraud-shaded, Z-buffered polygons per second and 300,000 (2) anti-aliased 3-D vectors per second. For viewing large images, it features a new 21-inch monitor with a resolution of 1280 x 1024 pixels. New SPARCserver 2: A Small Powerhouse This server model -- which includes a monitor -- brings high levels of performance and flexibility to small workgroup environments. It offers fast application throughput and extensive disk expandability in file, database, print and multi-user workgroup environments. The system is a cost-effective file and database server for small to medium-sized workgroups that need to access centralized information quickly and easily. For example, running Sun Database Excelerator and the Sybase database, the server achieves a very high database-transactions-per-second rate of 51.9 (4) -- and does so at the lowest cost in the industry. It is also an excellent file and application server for personal computers running PC-NFS and can support a large number of client workstations and terminals for workgroup applications. The server supports up to 96 megabytes of memory and up to 7.6 gigabytes of fast, low-cost SCSI mass storage. Disk I/O throughput can be increased further by adding two 5-megabyte/second SCSI bus controllers. The system can be configured with a 150-megabyte, 1/4-inch tape drive, a 2.3-gigabyte, 8mm tape drive or a SunCD (TM) CD-ROM storage device. In addition, the system features three SBus expansion slots for adding such features as a second Ethernet card, eight-port serial card or special-purpose I/O cards. Each SPARCserver 2 includes a 19-inch color or monochrome monitor, allowing users to run window-based server administration software such as SPARCserver Manager or SunNet (TM) Manager. Accelerated Graphics Now on SPARCstation IPC Sun also announced today that its popular SPARCstation IPC, the industry's lowest-cost color desktop RISC workstation, is available in an affordable GX accelerated graphics model. The system gives computer-aided design users a more powerful, less expensive alternative to PCs. The SPARCstation IPC GX is available with two monitor options: 16-inch or 19-inch color. This new graphics workstation is the ultimate system for leading CAD applications such as AutoCAD, Personal Designer and VersaCAD because it combines a powerful processor and sophisticated networking capabilities with high-performance graphics, true multi-tasking and ease of use -- but with a price tag that is lower than many PCs. Pricing, Availability Following is a list of the suggested U.S. retail prices and availability information for Sun's new workstation and server products in their base configurations: System Price Availability Configuration (U.S. List) SPARCstation 2 $14,995 Now 16 MB, 19" monochrome, 207 MB disk SPARCstation 2GX $17,995 Now 16 MB, 16" color accelerated graphics, 207 MB disk SPARCstation 2GX $19,995 Now 16 MB, 19" color accelerated graphics, 207 MB disk SPARCstation 2GS $26,995 Now 16 MB, 19" color, accelerated 3-D graphics, 207 MB disk SPARCstation 2GT $49,995 120 days 16 MB, 21" color, accelerated 3-D graphics, 207 MB disk SPARCserver 2 $24,595 Now 16 MB, 19" monochrome, 876 MB disk, SunCD, 2.3 GB 8mm backup tape drive SPARCstation IPC GX $12,495 Now 8 MB, 16" color, accelerated 2-D/3-D graphics, diskful Field upgrades to the new SPARCstation and SPARCserver 2 systems are available for SPARCstation and SPARCserver 1 and 1+ users. Shipment of the upgrades will begin in the first quarter of 1991. Sun Microsystems, Inc., headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., is a leading worldwide supplier of network-based distributed computing systems, including professional workstations, servers and UNIX operating system and productivity software. (1) The SPECmark figure represents the geometric mean of 10 system performance benchmark tests. The test suite, endorsed by most major computer manufacturers, represents a more standard metric of performance testing than "MIPS" or "MFLOPS." The SPARCstation 2 SPECmark results are based on Sun C 1.1 and Sun FORTRAN 1.4 compilers, available first quarter 1991. (2) 3-D vectors are 10 pixels long. (3) 3-D polygons are 24-bit, double-buffered, 100 pixels triangles, Gouraud-shaded, Z-buffered and clipped, through SunPHIGS. (4) 51.9 transactions-per-second using TPC-B benchmark (audited). TPC-B (Transaction Processing Performance Council) is a formal, industry-standard specification. The benchmark simulates a batch-oriented workload using a large Sybase database (500 MB at 50 transactions per second) and a query mix that is heavily update-intensive. Copies of the specification can be obtained from Waterside Associates (415) 792-2901. SPARC is a registered trademark of SPARC International, Inc. SPARCstation, SPARCware, SPARCompilers and SPARCserver are trademarks of SPARC International, Inc., licensed exclusively to Sun Microsystems, Inc. Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based on an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. SunOS, DeskSet, SunPHIGS, XGL, DLX, SunNet Manager and SunCD are trademarks and NFS and PC-NFS are registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. OPEN LOOK and UNIX are registered trademarks of UNIX System Laboratories, Inc. All other products or services mentioned in this document are identified by the trademarks or service marks of their respective companies or organizations. For reader inquiries, telephone 1-800-821-4643 outside California. Inside California, call 1-800-821-4642. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Sun Microsystems, Inc. Carrie Dillon (415) 336-3564 John Loiacono (415) 336-6424 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Sunflash is an electronic mail news service from Sun Microsystems, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA. It is targeted at Sun Users and Customers. For additional information about SunFlash send mail to info-sunflash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM SunFlash is distributed via a hierarchy of aliases. Try to address change requests to the owner of the alias that you belong to. If you want to be added to the SunFlash alias, please contact the systems engineers at your local Sun office and/or send mail to sunflash-request@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. All prices, availability, and other statements relating to Sun or third party products are valid in the U.S. only. 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