Sun hardware announcements

[David G. Hough on validgh]

Today's a big day for product announcements.   Here's Sun's contribution, 
for our customers and competitors who need official information.
The microSPARC CPU chip implements all of SPARC V8 in hardware,
including integer multiplication and division,
except for quadruple-precision fpops and the double-precision product
of single-precision operands, fsmuld.
SuperSPARC only omits quad fpops.

	SMCC INTRODUCES COLOR RISC WORKSTATION PRICED LESS THAN A PC

    Also Unveils Graphics System, Server Product Based On SPARC/Solaris

	SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Nov. 10, 1992 -- Sun Microsystems Computer
Corporation (SMCC) today introduced the SPARCclassic(TM), a fully 
loaded workstation that, at $3,995 (quantity 12), is the world's least 
expensive color RISC system. It is based on the revolutionary new 50 
MHz microSPARC(TM) processor designed by SMCC and Texas Instruments, a 
"workstation on a chip" that is the most highly integrated, low-cost 
RISC processor ever available.  SMCC also unveiled a new accelerated 
graphics computer called the SPARCstation(TM) LX that features the 
GXplus accelerator, CD-quality audio, a 424-megabyte internal disk 
and built-in ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network).  ISDN is the 
global telephone and networking standard that will allow the merger 
of computer and phone functions.  The SPARCstation LX system is the 
lowest-cost accelerated graphics workstation available, priced at 
$7,995.

	These new Sun(TM) workstations deliver 59.1 MIPS, with the 
SPARCclassic offering industry-leading value at $63 per MIPS.

	SMCC designed the new workstations to meet users' 
number-one demand: low-cost color systems that still offer high 
performance and networking. The new systems will enable millions of 
users to access client-server technology. The company achieved 
unparalleled price points through innovations in integration -- in 
the microSPARC processor, in a new I/O subsystem that reduced seven 
controller chips to two advanced new ASICs, and in a highly 
integrated system board.  Other methods employed to reduce costs 
include new TAB (Tape Automated Bonding) processor packaging and a 
new, low-cost, 15-inch color monitor (1024x768 resolution). Other 
Sun monitors are also supported.

	Besides the breakthroughs in cost and integration, SMCC is 
setting the stage for another important first in the workstation 
industry -- an innovative pricing model similar to the PC industry.  
SMCC has given the SPARCclassic workstation non-discountable end 
user pricing.  Unlike a PC, however, the new Sun workstations serve 
as all-purpose machines.  They can run the UNIX(R) as well as DOS 
and Mac applications; they can connect with a wide range of systems, 
including IBM mainframes, DEC VAXes and PCs in a Novell(R) network; 
they have built-in multimedia features such as audio and video; and 
the SPARCstation LX even includes ISDN.

	These new systems deliver more performance than `486 PCs, with
59.1 MIPS, 26.4 SPECint92 and 21.0 SPECfp92. The standard features of
the SPARCclassic include 16 megabytes of memory, expandable to 96
megabytes, a 207-megabyte internal disk, expandable to 1.0 gigabytes,
two SBus slots for add-on boards, support of up to 21 gigabytes of
external disk, audio and graphics. The SPARCclassic and SPARCstation LX
are the first systems to come bundled with the just-introduced
Solaris(R) 2.1 distributed computing environment.  This business-ready
system software is the highest-performance version ever available and
offers many new features such as simplified administration,
installation, security and internationalization.

	These new workstations again demonstrate SMCC's commitment 
to superior application performance. They include performance 
features like 10-megabyte/second SCSI and a direct memory access 
(DMA) controller for fast access found in the high-end SPARCstation 
10 family introduced in May.  In addition, the systems' optimized 
I/O architecture supports 16-byte transfers and other performance 
enhancements designed for optimal results that are far beyond 
high-end PC capabilities.

	These versatile new products provide cost-effective solutions
for any work environment.  Since the SPARCclassic workstation offers
PC prices with full color workstation functionality, it is expected
to penetrate many existing networked PC markets.  The SPARCstation LX
workstation gives technical users working in areas like PC CAD a
low-cost alternative with maximum performance and expansion.

New Server Boosts Workgroup Productivity

	Based on the same technology, a low-cost SPARCclassic server is
also being offered by SMCC. This versatile workgroup server can be used
to increase file sharing throughput, offload printing and communications
tasks and support demanding applications such as database or PC-CAD.
It comes with built-in Ethernet, a SCSI interface, two serial ports, a
parallel port, SBus I/O, memory, and an internal 1-gigabyte
preconfigured disk.  It's built for networks -- unlike its PC server
counterparts.

Technology Licensing

	Continuing its support of open systems, SMCC is making 
available all the chips it developed for these new workstations. 
SMCC has licensed its silicon partners to supply these chips on 
the general market.  Included are the microSPARC processor from 
Texas Instruments, SBus I/O devices from NCR, ISDN capability from 
AT&T, and a graphics accelerator available from LSI Logic and 
Fujitsu Microelectronics.

Upgrades, Pricing, Availability

	Aggressively priced upgrades are available for all the 
current low-end desktops such as the SPARCstation ELC and IPC.  
The fully configured SPARCclassic (207-megabyte disk, 16 megabytes 
of memory, 15-inch color monitor) is priced at $3,995 
(U.S.list/quantity 12) or $4,295 in single quantities.  The fully 
configured SPARCstation LX (424-megabyte disk, 16 megabytes of 
memory, 16-inch color monitor) is priced at $7,995.  Both systems 
feature a new one-year warranty and will be available in December.  
SPARCclassic server (1-gigabyte disk, 16 megabytes of memory) is 
priced at $5,295 and will be available in January 1993.

             SMCC INTRODUCES WORLD'S FASTEST UNIX SERVER

	SAN JOSE, Calif. -- November 10, 1992 -- Sun Microsystems 
Computer Corporation (SMCC) today introduced the industry's most 
powerful, expandable and affordable high-end UNIX(R) server. It is 
based on the SPARC(R)/Solaris(R) platform. The SPARCcenter(TM) 
2000 server, which offers unprecedented expandability -- up to 20-way 
multiprocessing -- as well as storage capacity, begins at $95,000. 
This is at least two to four times less expensive than comparable 
systems from other vendors. SMCC's new server -- a mainframe-caliber 
system for datacenter applications -- also delivers expansion 
options from one-fifth to one-half the price of similar products 
from other system vendors.

	"With the SPARCcenter 2000 server, we are aiming at 
organizations that need the processing power and capacity of a 
mainframe system, but demand the flexibility of a system that can 
grow with them," said Larry Hambly, vice president of marketing at SMCC.

	The SPARCcenter 2000 server features a variety of 
innovations, including an advanced new multiprocessing bus technology. 
This system utilizes a single system board design, which can be 
replicated up to 10 times to easily configure a larger, more 
powerful system. The basic system board has capacity for up to two 
SuperSPARC(TM) modules, 64 to 512 megabytes of memory, and provides 
one high-speed SBus I/O channel with up to four expansion options. It 
has 4.2 gigabytes of disk storage, which can be increased to more 
than 100 times this capacity. Its modular design permits expansion 
in multiple dimensions -- CPU, I/O, memory -- each time a new system 
board is added.

	For example, a two-processor entry-level configuration can 
be upgraded to a 20-way multiprocessing system by simply adding 
processor modules and system boards to the original package. In its 
maximum configuration, the system features up to 10 independent SBus 
I/O channels, providing more than 500 megabytes per second of 
dedicated I/O throughput.

	The new Sun(TM) server has higher performance than any other 
UNIX server available today. In its 20-way configuration, it 
delivers 2.19 GIPS (giga {billion} instructions per second) and 269 
MFLOPS (million floating point operations per second). In just the 
eight-way configuration, it is the SPECrate world champion, 
performing at 8,047 SPECrate_int92 and 10,600 SPECrate_fp92. 
Database performance for an eight-way system is expected to exceed 
500 transactions per second(tps).

	The SPARCcenter 2000 server includes Solaris, the world's
highest-volume, 32-bit distributed computing environment. With its
multithreaded operating system featuring symmetric multiprocessing,
this scalable environment gives companies a robust,
super-high-performance solution upon which to build their
mission-critical applications.

Third-Party Relationships

	The SPARCcenter 2000 is an ideal platform for several popular
software products and services that address the needs of data center
users. All the leading relational database products -- from Cincom,
Informix, Ingres, Oracle, Software AG and Sybase -- will be available
for the SPARCcenter 2000 server.

	In addition, leading system administration tools available 
or in development for the Sun platform include the Tivoli Management 
Environment (TME) from Tivoli Systems and CA-UNICENTER from Computer 
Associates. Legent Corp. and SMCC recently announced that they have 
signed an agreement to port Legent's system management tools to the 
Sun SPARCserver(TM) and SPARCstation(TM). SMCC also offers the 
industry's best-selling distributed network management solution, 
SunNet(TM) Manager, from SunConnect.

	There also are DB2 and Customer Information Control System 
(CICS) emulators for the SPARCcenter 2000, such as XDB-Server from 
XDB Systems, VIS/TP from VI Systems and UniKix from Integris. Also 
recently announced was an agreement between SMCC and Universal 
Software, which provides IBM System 36 emulation. Universal will 
port its Open/36 software to the Sun platform.

	In addition, SMCC has signed an agreement with Storage 
Technology Corp.(Storage Tek) and Epoch Systems to jointly market 
mainframe-quality backup and retrieval solutions for the SPARCcenter 
2000 server. These products will allow users to back up the 
SPARCcenter 2000 network on tape silos and libraries provided by 
Storage Tek, leveraging their existing data center investments in 
Storage Tek systems. Storage Tek and Epoch Systems, a leading 
supplier of UNIX system advanced storage management systems, 
co-developed this backup and storage technology.

	SMCC has also partnered with Xerox PARC to develop the 
XDBus(TM), technology making its debut in the SPARCcenter 2000 
server. This dual, high-performance bus design uses high-bandwidth, 
packet-switched technology that provides excellent connectivity, 
throughput and data consistency for shared memory multiprocessing. 
These buses work in parallel to provide in excess of 500 megabytes 
per second of sustained throughput and 640 megabytes per second of 
peak bandwidth, as well as increased system availability through 
redundancy.

	SMCC also introduced Sun Service 2000(SM), a comprehensive 
service and support package designed to provide SPARCcenter 2000 
server users with all the services they need for maximum system 
availability, including 99 percent guaranteed up-time. Sun Service 
2000, which can be tailored to a customer's unique computing 
environment, delivers a variety of services, including 7-day, 
24-hour, around-the-clock support, on-site and system support and 
on-site consulting and training. SunService 2000 is unique in the 
industry in that it allows customers to set the priorities of 
problems, so that they get the response they need -- when they 
need it.

	When purchasing a high-end server, leasing options also 
are important. SMCC is making available an innovative new leasing 
program that simplifies acquisition.

Pricing and Availability

	The SPARCcenter 2000, which is available initially in 
configurations from two to eight processors, will be generally 
available in April,1993. The entry-level configuration, which 
includes two SuperSPARC processors, 64 megabytes of main memory 
and 4.2 gigabytes of disk, is priced at $95,000. An eight-processor 
system, which contains eight SuperSPARC processors, 512  megabytes 
of main memory and 16.8 gigabytes of disk, is priced at $266,200. 
System boards, processors, memory and disks will be available in 
flexible configurations, allowing virtually any configuration to 
be built using standard components.

	SMCC is offering upgrade options for current owners of 
Sun SPARCservers. Owners of the SPARCserver 690 system can upgrade 
for $65,000; owners of the SPARCserver 490 or 390 systems can 
upgrade for $70,000.