---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash SunLink FDDI/S 2.0 SunFLASH Vol 51 #7 March 1993 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ******************************************************************************* * * * Product Highlights: * * * * - Provides FDDI/S support for Solaris 2.1 * * * * - Provides single attach connection conforming to ANSI FDDI network * * standard * * * * - Single SBus board connects to an available SBus slot in any SPARC * * system including SPARCserver product family * * * * - Provides redundant connection for high connectivity in server type * * machines * * * * - Includes SunNet Manager proxy agent for SMT 6.2 for easy FDDI network * * management * * * * - Built-in test, power-up, and extended diagnostic features * * * ******************************************************************************* Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation(TM) [SMCC(TM)] announces SunLink(R) FDDI/S 2.0 (Fiber Distributed Data Interface/SBus). While adhering to the FDDI standard, SunLink FDDI/S 2.0 provides 100 Mb/second LAN-based connectivity for environments that support bandwidth intensive applications. The SunLink FDDI/S interface consists of a single-slot SBus printed circuit board assembly, driver software, and network monitoring utilities. Together, these components allow any SPARC system to connect to an FDDI LAN for high network availability and throughput. SunLink FDDI/S 2.0 supports the Solaris 2.1 operating system. FEATURES AND BENEFITS --------------------- * Single slot SBus board provides single attach connectivity conforming to ANSI FDDI network standard - Provides reliable and cost effective connectivity to an FDDI network. * Extends low-cost FDDI connectivity to desktop systems with the use of an FDDI concentrator. Allows for increased throughput and bandwidth today, and easy migration to technology standards of the future. * Over 40 Mb/sec TCP/IP throughput on SPARCStation(TM) 10 - Provides high speed throughput to support time critical, bandwidth intensive applications. * Supports Redundant Single Attach configuration (2 FDDI/S interfaces) for increased redundancy. Provides insurance against system or ring failures without the need to be attached to a dual ring backbone. * Supports FDDI Station Management revision (SMT 6.2) and includes SunNet Manager proxy agents - Provides easy network management of Sun and non-Sun FDDI nodes running SMT 6.2. HARDWARE and SOFTWARE CONSIDERATIONS ------------------------------------ * SPARC system with available SBus master slot * Boot PROM revision levels 2 or higher (required for diskless boot support) * Fiber optic cable (62.5/125 micron multimode) (available through SunExpress or other suppliers) * Solaris(R) 2.1 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS --------------------- Q. Does SunLink FDDI/S 2.0 replace SunLink FDDI/S 1.0? A. No. SunLink FDDI/S 2.0 supports Solaris 2.x. SunLink FDDI/S supports Solaris 1.x. They are not interchangeable. Both SunLink FDDI/S 2.0 and SunLink FDDI/S 1.0 will continue to be offered by SMCC. Q. Will SunNet(TM) Manager work with SunLink FDDI/S 2.0? A. Yes, the FDDI/S board supports the most current version of the FDDI Station Mangement (SMT) 6.2 standard. A SunNet Manager proxy agent that allows easy FDDI network management has been incorporated in SunLink FDDI/S 2.0. The proxy agent manages all FDDI nodes (Sun and non-Sun nodes) running SMT 6.2. Q. Will the SPARCcenter(TM) 2000 servers support SunLink FDDI/S 2.0? A. Yes. However, FDDI/S (single attach card) will still need to be connected via an FDDI concentrator. Q. Can you connect a single fiber cable ring of FDDI/S cards? A. No, this is not a supported configuration. Single attach stations (SAS) are meant to be used with a concentrator in a star type configuration only. Q. Can two FDDI/S single attach cards be installed in a system to get dual attach capability? A. No, this is not technically possible. Installing two single attach FDDI/S cards in a system supports an alternate configuration called redundant single attach (RSAS). Each single attach port must still be connected to a concentrator port. Ideally, having two cards allows you to connect to two different concentrators. This provides a level of redundancy for critical single attach systems. Q. Are SMT 6.2 and 5.1 interoperable? What are major differences? A. It is believed that the 6.2 and 5.1 version should interoperate. However, this is discouraged. Interoperability test organizations such as the ANTC(TM), say that there are some definite risks involved. The major differences relate to connection management and frame formats. Also, 5.1 does not support dual homing which is a popular configuration being promoted heavily. Q. Does SunLink FDDI/S 2.0 support NFS(R)? A. Yes, NFS is supported. The FDDI driver is just a replacement for Ethernet at the data link layer, and works just like Ethernet with all TCP/IP based software including NFS. Q. Does FDDI/S support diskless booting? A. Yes, diskless booting is supported. However, for Solaris 2.1, a patch is required to replace the inetboot program bundled with Solaris 2.1 (CTE Patchid: 100831-01). This patch will not be required for later Solaris releases. U.S. PRICING AND ORDERING INFORMATION -------------------------------------- The following will appear in the End-User and Reseller price lists: Order List Discount Same Day Description Number Price Category Service Price =============================================================================== FDDI/S 2.0 X1005A $3,465 B $20 FDDI/S 2.0 upgrade FDI-PF $750 B N/A AVAILABILITY ------------ Immediate Specifications are subject to change without notice. (c)1993 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation, SMCC, SunLink, SunExpress, SunNet, Solaris, and NFS 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. SPARCstation and SPARCcenter are licensed exclusively to Sun Microsystems, Inc. Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based upon an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For information 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. John McLaughlin, SunFlash editor, flash@Sun.COM. +1 305 351 4909.