sunflash-Distributed to mailing list sunflash@suntri sunflash-Send requests and problem reports to owner-sunflash@suntri.east.sun.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash Sun's Hottest Volume 3 Number 4 SunFLASH Vol 54 #30 June 1993 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 54.30 Sun's Hottest Volume 3 Number 4 This article contains the text of a newsletter, "Sun's Hottest", that is mailed to many customers. It is an excellent summary of Sun's recent product announcements. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- C O N T E N T S MP benefits right out of the box 1. Get better operating system performance 2. Run multiple jobs at the same time 3. Speed the pace of some of your existing applications 4. Boost FORTRAN application performance with an easy recompile 5. Tools to develop multithreaded applications Enter into the future of computing The SPARCserver 1000: great MP performance at a great price Multiprocessing makes mainframe-capacity computing affordable Flexibility lets you quickly adapt to change The applications you need to prosper Financial users get huge performance gains on SPARCserver 1000 PC picks SelectMAIL for Windows 1.0 SelectMAIL for DOS 2.1 PC-NFS(R) 5.0 SunPC 3.1 The SPARCstation 10 family: MP for your desktop Solaris sizzles! Enhanced enterprise computing: Solaris 2.2 Performance gains More functional, easier to use desktop The latest in graphics Time- and money-saving system administration Wabi: the best of both worlds Secure operations: Solaris SHIELD Basic Security Module Version 2.1 In Short SunLink(R) ISDN-BRI (Basic Rate Interface) Enabling Kit 1.0 SunISDN BRI/SBI (Speaker Box Interface) Expansion Kit 1.0 SunLink CG3270 8.0 SunLink X.25 8.0 NeWSprint 2.5 Micro Focus COBOL High-capacity, low-cost mass storage 4.2-GB Multi-Disk Pack 5-GB 4mm Tape Desktop Backup Pack ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MP benefits right out of the box ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- When you put a Sun(TM) multiprocessing (MP) system on your desk or in your data center, you'll realize increased productivity from day one. With no additional effort on your part, Sun's MP systems provide three immediate benefits. And with some more work, you can unleash even more MP power. 1. Get better operating system performance The Solaris(R) 2.2 environment allows our systems' MP architecture to enhance the inherent multitasking capability of UNIX(R). So multiple operating system tasks--such as e-mail and windows manager--can run simultaneously on multiple processors. It's a benefit that saves you time and costs you nothing--just unpack your Sun SPARC(R) system and start working. 2. Run multiple jobs at the same time Our multiprocessing systems are designed to work the way you do--on several jobs at once. So electronic design engineers can run circuit simulations on a new design while using a schematic capture package to modify the design being sketched by a colleague on an electronic shared whiteboard. And because multiprocessing maximizes multitasking, you can quickly accomplish all you need to. 3. Speed the pace of some of your existing applications A number of software applications are designed with different functions split into separate processes. When run on a Sun SPARC MP system, these processes can run in parallel, significantly improving application performance. One such application, AutoCAD, has shown an increase of up to 25% performance improvement on a dual-processor system over an equivalently configured uniprocessor system--with no modification of the software. Sun is developing tools to give you the ultimate benefits of MP. The following tools are already in the hands of developers working on fully threaded applications. 4. Boost FORTRAN application performance with an easy recompile SPARCompiler(TM) FORTRAN MP automatically parallelizing compiler will recompile FORTRAN source code into an executable optimized for MP. The compiler also issues a report that helps the programmer add simple directives for an even greater level of parallelism. 5. Tools to develop multithreaded applications To assist in the development of multithreaded applications, Sun is developing a variety of new tools. Debugger MT and MT-compatible language libraries help developers debug, view, set breakpoints, and navigate the parallel execution of code for multithreaded applications in C, C++, and FORTRAN. So they can create a whole new world of applications for MP on your desktop. Enter into the future of computing Just as our visions of open systems, client-server computing, UNIX, and RISC have become mainstream computing realities, our five-year investment in the development of MP has enabled us to bring the future of computing to you today. See inside for information on the new multiprocessing SPARCserver(TM) 1000 system. Open all the way for information on our full line of multiprocessing SPARCstation(TM) 10 systems. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The SPARCserver 1000: great MP performance at a great price ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Meeting the most demanding computing requirements for departments of 50-500 users, the SPARCserver 1000 system is the newest member of the most cost-effective, compatible server line in the industry. At the family's midrange--between the entry-level SPARCclassic(TM) and SPARCserver 10 systems and the high-end SPARCcenter(TM) 2000 server-- the new, compact multiprocessor SPARCserver 1000 is the leader in its class for just about any metric you can think of: from database performance to price/performance to SPECrate performance to NFS(R) file server performance. And because it is built on open, standards- based technology, the SPARCserver 1000 integrates easily into your organization today and helps you take advantage of new opportunities as they emerge. Multiprocessing makes mainframe-capacity computing affordable Offering mainframe-capacity computing at 1/50th the price, the SPARCserver 1000 brings unprecedented power right into even your most price-sensitive departments. It lets you streamline business processes, offer new services, be more responsive to your customers. Key to the SPARCserver 1000 system's performance is multiprocessing. With up to 8 processors, the SPARCserver 1000 delivers better throughput for multiple users and applications--even the most compute- intensive. Multiprocessing lets several applications run simultaneously, each on its own processor. Plus, the SPARCserver 1000 system's powerful Solaris 2.2 operating environment includes multithreading capabilities, which can speed up single applications by partitioning the task to run in parallel over several processors. Flexibility lets you quickly adapt to change The SPARCserver 1000 fits right into your existing environment and adapts easily to your evolving requirements. Offering versatility that is unmatched among midrange servers today, the SPARCserver 1000 lets you choose precisely how many expansion slots, I/O buses, and CPUs you need to achieve balanced performance, eliminate bottlenecks, and improve application throughput. And the system can be easily reconfigured, so you can react quickly to changes in your industry without disrupting your business. With its modular approach that lets you add what you need--CPUs, memory, or I/O--and take advantage of next-generation technology, the SPARCserver 1000 is a departmental server designed to grow with you. The applications you need to prosper Because of its flexible design, the SPARCserver 1000 system can be optimized as a custom application server for all your departmental needs--from design and manufacturing to publishing and customer service. Delivering the best database performance in its class, the SPARCserver 1000 system easily handles demanding transaction processing environments, from telemarketing to order processing. And as the only midrange server with the ability to recover from CPU, memory, or I/O failures without operator intervention, it is ideal for your most demanding mission-critical applications. Plus, with more than 7500 solutions available for the SPARC platform, you can continue to use the applications you've come to rely on, and find whatever new ones you need to grow and prosper. Financial users get huge performance gains on SPARCserver 1000 EJV Partners, LP, a large-scale information services venture in New York City, needed a huge performance increase in its systems. The company had to handle a new, power-hungry analytics application that was critical to its customers. Initially, EJV partners was interested in the promise of multiprocessing but saw MP as an emerging technology, not an immediate solution. The existing application--some 250,000 lines--was ported to the Solaris 2.2 environment and the application parallelized to take advantage of the multiprocessing architecture of the SPARCserver 1000. Porting, parallelizing and testing were all completed in just one month! Performance tests showed two remarkable results. Running on an eight processor SPARCserver 1000, the application ran 1,271% faster than their previous generation system, the SPARCserver 2. And application performance scaled well--going from 1 to 8 processors in the SPARCserver 1000. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PC picks ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Focused on meeting the varied needs of your multivendor workplace, Sun offers a variety of productivity-boosting PC products. SelectMAIL for Windows 1.0 SelectMAIL for DOS 2.1 A new e-mail solution for DOS and Windows users, SelectMAIL lets you exchange mail among PCs, UNIX workstations, and mobile computers, and is fully compatible with Sun's MailTool product. Running on Windows 3.1 or higher, SelectMAIL for Windows 1.0 includes a spelling checker, a read/delivery receipt confirmation option, local and global addressing capabilities, multiple compose windows, message-sharing support, and support for the Windows Sockets API. Available for DOS 3.3 or higher, SelectMAIL for DOS 2.1 offers an automated scheduler- for-backup function, a delayed delivery option, a search capability for sorting e-mail, and fail notification for easy traceability of non-delivered messages. PC-NFS(R) 5.0 If you work on a PC, PC-NFS(R) 5.0 lets you easily connect to SPARC- based systems and other NFS systems while working in your familiar Windows or DOS environment. More than one million users are now running PC-NFS software in a wide range of companies and application areas. The latest version of the industry's most widely used PC-to-enterprise networking solution, PC-NFS 5.0 adds support for Microsoft(R) Windows(R) for Workgroups. Coexistence with Novell NetWare(R) lets PC-NFS 5.0 and NetWare clients simultaneously share the same Ethernet card, maximizing users' investments. Support for the Windows Sockets API means users can now run a wider range of off-the-shelf applications on TCP/IP networks. Also new to PC-NFS 5.0 are Telnet and FTP applications for both MS-Windows and MS-DOS(R). And support for the NetBIOS interface lets users take advantage of a greater number of PC network applications. SunPC 3.1 The SunPC(TM) product family lets you run DOS applications and Solaris on a SPARCstation system. Now with support that lets your system appear as a NetWare client, SunPC 3.1 software lets you run PC applications from NetWare servers, share NetWare files, access printers, and use other NetWare resources. The new version also provides extended support for X11 window managers, including Motif(R). The new version no longer contains a network licensing mechanism. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sun is MP Hot ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The SPARCstation 10 family: MP for your desktop ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The most successful workstation ever has just gotten even better. Delivering on our promise of scalability, modularity, upgradability, and multiprocessing, Sun offers a variety of multiprocessor and uniprocessor SPARCstation 10 configurations that provide the performance, flexibility, and low cost of ownership you need to grow. And all come with our new one-year return-to-factory warranty. Delivering breakthrough levels of price/performance, the six-machine lineup--with four new family members--offers something for everyone. (Server versions of all these models are also available.) The SPARCstation 10 family Multiprocessing (MP) Systems Model Monitor Std. Std. Clock Number of Cache Size Disk RAM Speed Processors per CPU Multiprocessing (MP) Systems New! 402MP 19" 1-GB 32-MB 40 MHz 2 0 512MP 19" 1-GB 64-MB 50 MHz 2 1-MB 54 19" 1-GB 64-MB 45 MHz 4 1-MB Uniprocessing (UP) Systems New! 30LC 16" 424-MB 32-MB 36 MHz 1 0 New! 40 19" 1-GB 32-MB 40 MHz 1 0 New! 51 19" 1-GB 64-MB 50 MHz 1 1-MB Multiprocessor configurations of the SPARCstation 10 family bring the advantages of multiprocessing to the desktop. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Solaris sizzles! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Enhanced enterprise computing: Solaris 2.2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- With major performance, ease-of-use, graphics, and system administration enhancements, Solaris 2.2 improves productivity and makes enterprise computing easier and more cost-effective. The new version includes SunOS(TM) 5.2, ONC+(TM), and OpenWindows(TM) V3.2, which features DeskSet(TM) productivity tools. Performance gains Solaris 2.2 delivers significantly improved server performance for database (a 95% improvement) and file-server (a 40% improvement) applications over Solaris 2.1. Also, with this version's new user threads libraries, developers can now write multithreaded applications. Multithreading allows increased levels of parallelism within applications, enabling users and developers to take maximum advantage of the power available on symmetric multiprocessor-based SPARCstation and SPARCserver systems. Solaris 2.2 also supports up to eight processors in a SPARC system. More functional, easier to use desktop Enhancements in Solaris 2.2 make desktops more useful--and easier to use. For example, a new DeskSet application, ImageTool, lets you quickly view, edit, and manipulate images. The enhanced File Manager provides easy access to files on CDs and floppies. Multimedia mail now includes a mini-appointment editor for updating the calendar manager--which itself has been enhanced to allow new levels of privacy and flexibility--and can receive MIME messages, the Internet standard for multimedia mail. Also, keyboard accelerators provide a faster alternative to the mouse for performing common commands, such as opening a file or using DeskSet tools. The latest in graphics Solaris 2.2 is the industry's first major operating environment to incorporate an imaging and video library--the new XIL(TM) library for commercial imaging and video applications. Also included are the full-featured XGL(TM) 3.0.1 graphics foundation library, which provides a significant performance improvement over the previous version for 3-D graphics; Direct Xlib(TM) 2.0, a set of supplemental Xlib libraries for OpenWindows providing increased performance for 2-D graphics applications; and the PEX(TM) 2.0 Run Time Environment, which enhances portability for 3-D graphics applications. And because these libraries are included with Solaris 2.2, developers no longer have to deliver them. Time- and money-saving system administration The new version of Solaris eases installation in several ways, resulting in significant time and cost savings for system administration. Upgrading between versions of Solaris 2.x has been simplified, so customers can now upgrade to Solaris 2.2 without going through a complete reinstallation. A redesigned installation interface eases and provides greater control over each installation. Helping to get more systems online quickly, JumpStart(TM) automatic installation support has now been extended to SPARCserver systems. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wabi: the best of both worlds ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- With every copy of Solaris 2.2 that you receive you'll also receive a coupon redeemable through December 31, 1993 for Wabi(TM) software at no extra cost. Wabi software lets you run off-the-shelf Windows applications, with no performance compromise, directly on your Solaris desktop--no MS-Windows required. So you can run your spreadsheet or word processing applications on Wabi while running your business on Solaris. You get the best of both worlds: the most popular Windows applications on the most powerful open network computing environment. Wabi has been certified to run applications representing two-thirds of the Windows applications market, including Lotus(R) 1-2-3(R), WordPerfect(R), CorelDRAW, and Borland Paradox. The Wabi logo symbolizes the translation of Microsoft Windows applications to X Windows, the open systems standard for displaying graphical elements on networked computers. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Secure operations: Solaris SHIELD(TM) Basic Security Module Version 2.1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Addressing increasing worldwide security requirements, the new Basic Security Module (BSM) Version 2.1 provides full C2 functionality to the Solaris 2.1 operating environment. The new version of BSM ensures that Solaris 2.1 adheres to the U.S. Federal government's policy requiring that all operating systems meet the C2 level of security. This version also satisfies the security functionality requirements of international security criteria for operating systems that provide discretionary access control or C2 security. In addition, the new BSM can be used successfully by worldwide businesses, such as banking, real estate, or financial services organizations, to ensure that sensitive information is protected. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- High-capacity, low-cost mass storage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Continuing to offer high capacity, low-cost desktop mass storage options that make your systems increasingly useful, Sun has introduced two new products: the 4.2-GB Multi-Disk Pack and the 5-GB 4mm Tape Desktop Backup Pack. The Multi-Disk Pack is an innovative subsystem that packs four high-performance 1.05-GB fast SCSI-2 disks into a very compact and quiet desktop enclosure. The 4mm Tape Desktop Backup Pack, with built-in data compression capabilities, is the fastest, most affordable DAT package available from any major UNIX computer vendor. It provides the same capacity as Sun's 5-GB 8mm tape drive, is over 80% faster, and significantly less expensive. We've also combined these two new peripherals with a CD-ROM drive in a cost- effective File and Database Server Option Pack, available in three models. 4mm Tape Drive Over 80% Faster Compact & Quiet ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- In Short ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Two new ISDN products, the SunLink(R) ISDN-BRI (Basic Rate Interface) Enabling Kit 1.0 and the SunISDN BRI/SBI (Speaker Box Interface) Expansion Kit 1.0 enable users to share multimedia resources across the ISDN public telephone networks. ISDN provides a more functional and cost-effective alternative to modems and leased lines for businesses with remote locations that need WAN connectivity to their home office LAN environments. The new ISDN products are well suited for many applications, including telecommuting, image and graphics transmission, leased-line backup, and multimedia conferencing among remote workgroups. Two other SunLink products are available in new versions that support Solaris 2: SunLink CG3270 8.0 and SunLink X.25 8.0. Both are now licensed per machine, using the popular industry licensing software FlexLM. SunLink CG3270, the most cost-effective color graphics 3270 emulator available in the UNIX environment, emulates an IBM 3179G color graphics terminal. Easy to use, it supports file transfer over telnet. SunLink X.25 8.0 lets Sun systems running Solaris 2 communicate and share resources over private or public X.25 Packet Switched Data Networks with any other system that supports the X.25 protocol. NeWSprint(TM) 2.5 for Solaris 2 supports Sun's newest desktop products, including the SPARCclassic and the SPARCstation LX systems. Easy to install and use, it lets users in heterogeneous computing networks print PostScript(R) language compatible files from most popular computer platforms. This version also features improved support for the PostScript Level 2 graphics language, enhanced support of TIFF formatted files, and on-line help and documentation through Sun's AnswerBook(R) software. NeWSprint 2.5 provides the same printing interface for Solaris 1 and Solaris 2 users, simplifying the transition process. Supported by more than 100 printing devices from 25 manufacturers, NeWSprint is the everyday printing solution for users of more than a million PCs, Macintosh(R) computers, and Sun and other UNIX workstations. Micro Focus COBOL, the de facto industry standard for COBOL, is now available from Sun. The Micro Focus COBOL Compiler version 3 includes the Animator(R) visual debugger, FORMS-2 visual programming tool, Profiler, native code generator, and Run-Time environment. Also available are the Micro Focus COBOL Toolbox version 3, an integrated collection of programmer productivity aids and utilities; the Micro Focus Dialog System version 1, a tool for constructing user interfaces; and the Micro Focus Operating System Extensions version 3, which provides the COBOL Run-Time environment, client-server file handling, common communication interface, and cross operating system library routines. There are two versions of these products: Micro Focus COBOL version 3.0.5 runs on Solaris 1.1 and Micro Focus COBOL version 3.1 runs on Solaris 2. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Product availability may vary by country. Contact your sales representative. Credits: Lance Lawson, Product Marketing Programs Manager; Alice Hausladen, Sales Program Representative; Andrea Fleming, Marcom Manager, International; Bill Shinnick, Editor; Harding & Associates Design Group, Design and Production; Kathy Cooper Parker, Writer; Ironwood Lithographers, Inc., Printing; Marketing Response Systems, U.S. Mailing. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please send electronic mail to comments@joes.Corp.Sun.COM (cİ 1993 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation, the Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation logo, Solaris, NFS, SunLink, SunOS, ONC+, OpenWindows, DeskSet, XIL, XGL, Direct Xlib, PEX, JumpStart, PC-NFS, SunPC, NeWSprint, AnswerBook and Wabi are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. All SPARC trademarks, including the SCD Compliant logo, are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARC International, Inc. SPARCompiler, SPARCstation, SPARCserver, SPARCclassic, and SPARCcenter are licensed exclusively to Sun Microsystems, Inc. Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based upon an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. AutoCAD is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark of UNIX System Laboratories, Inc. Microsoft Windows and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. Novell and NetWare are registered trademarks of Novell, Inc. Lotus and 1-2-3 are registered trademarks of Lotus Development Corporation. WordPerfect is a registered trademark of WordPerfect Corporation. Motif is a registered trademark of Open Software Foundation, Inc. PostScript is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc. Animator is a U.S. registered trademark of Micro Focus Ltd. X Window System is a product of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. All other product or service names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners. ********************************************************************** For information about SunFlash send mail to info-sunflash@Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@Sun.COM. Archives are on solar.nova.edu, ftp.uu.net, sunsite.unc.edu, src.doc.ic.ac.uk and ftp.adelaide.edu.au All prices, availability, and other statements relating to Sun or third party products are valid in the U.S. only. Please contact your local Sales Representative for details of pricing and product availability in your region. Descriptions of, or references to products or publications within SunFlash does not imply an endorsement of that product or publication by Sun Microsystems. Send brief articles (e.g. third party announcements) and include contact information (non-800#, fax #, email, etc) to: John McLaughlin, SunFlash editor, flash@Sun.COM. +1 305 351 4909