Managing Multivendor Networks 05

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aging Multivendor Networks -- Ch 5 -- Sun Microsystems

//F|/Books/book-121/ch05.htm[10/9/2012 9:25:24 PM]

Managing Multivendor Networks

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Sun Microsystems

Company BackgroundProduct Line OverviewStrategy for Connectivity

Application/User Relationship

Terminal Attachment PhilosophyPeer-to-Peer RelationshipsPC Integration StrategyOffice Automation

Network ArchitectureHigh-Speed NetworkingJava Internet Programming Language

UltraSPARC Technology

Company Backgroundn Microsystems incorporated in 1982 with Scott McNealy at the helm. Under McNealy's leadership, Sun (theompany's name was derived from the Stanford University Network terminal) has become one of America's fastestrowing and most efficient companies. McNealy is active in the open systems movement, and Sun was one of thearly pioneers in this area. Today, Sun focuses on providing open solutions for enterprise-wide networks andeveloping Internet technology for the expanding needs of online users. During the first year of operation, Sun

Microsystems sold approximately 400 workstations. It went on to experience phenomenal growth. Its revenue for thear 1989, only seven years after inception, approached $2 billion and by 1995 its revenues had reached nearly $6illion.

un Microsystems has entrenched itself in the high- performance workstation and server market. In addition toroviding high-speed computing units, however, Sun has staked its claim in the area of open systems computing. This end, Sun uses UNIX as the basis for its Solaris operating systems, it uses TCP/IP over Ethernet for networkingnd it uses the industry-standard VME bus. Solaris comprises nearly one-third of all UNIX systems sold worldwideimilarly, Sun comprises 40 percent of the UNIX RISC workstation market. Sun's strategic relationships with other

manufacturers and vendors has certainly been instrumental in its success to date. Sun has granted commercial licenn its Network File System (NFS) to a wide range of manufacturers, including the apparent competitors (such as D

HP, and IBM). By making NFS available to the industry as a whole, Sun has leveraged NFS as a de facto multivenetworking standard.

n the late 1980s, Sun took a dramatic step by allowing other manufacturers to produce clones of the Sun systemardware. On one hand, this is yet another example of Sun's efforts to transform its products into industrywide
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tandards. On the other hand, many industry analysts regarded this move as an attempt to rekindle the explosiverowth that occurred when the IBM clones were released.

Product Line Overview

un is a focused manufacturer. Sun doesn't do terminals; it doesn't do printers; it just does workstations. Sun is,owever, the largest provider of UNIX workstations, servers, and software. Recently, Sun released a platform-ndependent programming language called Java, which provides a unique solution to programming for complex

etworks, including the Internet.

n the past, Sun produced workstations based on Intel and Motorola architectures. The most modern Sun systems uReduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) architecture that Sun has termed SPARC (scalable processor architectureOriginally introduced as the Sun-4 line, SPARC systems have been scaled into a high-end group of uniprocessor anmultiprocessor workstations (SPARCstations), a group of network file servers (SPARCservers), and the Netra Inter

erver. The servers range from the single processor, 110-MHz SPARCserver 4 and 5, to the 20-processorPARCcenter 2000E. The Netra Internet Server provides a complete Internet server solution; the Netra System

Management Server is used for PCs on TCP/IP networks.

he latest evolution in the SPARC line, the UltraSPARC, puts Sun firmly in the lead of the workstation market byringing supercomputer technology down to the workstation level. A switch-based interconnect typically found onl

upercomputers, the UltraSPARC is based on Sun's Ultra Port Architecture (UPA), which permits multiple,imultaneous transfers between the processor, memory, graphics and I/O. The older, bus-based architecture commo

most workstations is limited to a single data transfer at a time.

All Sun systems can support large amounts of memory (up to 512M per processor in some models) and a sizablemount of disk storage (up to 147G on the high end). The graphics resolutions on the workstations range from a lo024 x 768 pixels to a high of 1600 x 1280 pixels. The UltraSPARC's visual instruction set provides the technologyigh-end graphics, including 3-D visualization, animation, and video processing.

un sponsors third-party programs to encourage independent companies to develop and market applications for theolaris operating system. In 1990, Lotus Development Corporation committed to deliver its famous Lotus 1-2-3

preadsheet to the SunOS platform, and became the first of many third-party companies to write software to run onunOS, and later, the Solaris operating system. This was a coup for Sun because it was the first UNIX-oriented Solperating system (and because it was the first UNIX-oriented system Lotus agreed to port to). Although in retrospehis never resulted in the much hoped-for flood of PC applications being ported to UNIX, Lotus 1-2-3 operating onun platform was a significant achievement in itself. Sun now offers versions of Solaris for several platforms other

han SPARC, including Intel.

he latest version of the Sun's network operating system, Solaris 2.5, offers fully scalable NFS, NFS over TCP, anPX/SPX connectivity. This support makes it possible for Solaris to integrate enterprise workgroups. Solaris forPARC and UltraSPARC computers is highly scalable and secure, it is scalable up to the superserver level, and canandle databases at the terabyte level. Version 2.5 has been optimized to take advantage of the Ultra line of

workstations and servers, and facilitates faster visual computing. Solaris uses the Common Desktop Environment

CDE), a product designed to give a common interface to all UNIX environments.

un offers a suite of infrastructure software along with Solaris, including:

Solstice. Software for systems and network management.

WorkShop. A set of visual tools for developing technical and business applications.

SunSoft NEO. Software for building applications based on networked objects.

Java. A network-enabled programming language.


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olaris is scalable and secure. It is ideal for use with an Internet server, application server, PC administration serveigh-performance workstation. Solaris is also available for Intel x86, Pentium, Pentium Pro, and PowerPC compute

Strategy for Connectivity

un Microsystems refers to its approach to networking as the Open Network Computing (ONC) architecture. Inmplementing this architecture, Sun has recruited other computer manufacturers and related companies into the fold

Many of these companies have, in fact, bought into the Sun architecture--some completely, others restraining theirommitment to a particular service or set of services.

un's unique contributions to ONC are mainly in the upper application and service layers (see Figure 5.1).

he lower layers of ONC are handled by TCP/IP running over Ethernet (or other TCP/IP-compatible networks). Thortions of TCP/IP that are relevant to understanding ONC are as follows:

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). TCP delivers information between systems participating in the TCP/IPnetwork. As part of this delivery process, TCP confirms receipt of the information and handles theretransmission of corrupted information.

User Datagram Protocol (UDP). UDP is a facility available for applications to deliver information betweensystems. Although similar to TCP, UDP does not provide the automatic error correction facilities of TCP andcannot verify receipt of data.

IG. 5.1Sun's ONC Architecture

Internet Protocol (IP). While TCP handles the delivery of data, IP determines the best possible route betweentwo systems. This might or might not include moving the information between LANs or across WAN bridge

CP/IP is discussed in more detail in Chapter 9, " PC LAN Network Operating Systems" (p. 198).

un's ONC services and functions lie on the standard TCP/IP layers as follows:

Remote Procedure Call (RPC). RPC provides a common set of routines that programs can use to communicawith each other throughout the network. Whereas the TCP/IP UDP service facilitates the movement ofinformation between two programs in the ONC environment, RPC adds structure and context on top of thedelivery mechanism. From a broad perspective, RPC provides a common interface that two programs can useconverse with one another.

External Data Representation (XDR). XDR furnishes a common format for information moved through the Oenvironment. Because different systems in a network might represent data in many different formats (forexample, signed, packed decimal fields are invariably unique to each system), a common format that does nosacrifice efficiency for compatibility is necessary. XDR is a data description language that applications can u

with RPC to enable two programs sharing information on the network to use a common format (even thoughinformation might actually be stored on the two systems in different formats).

Network File System (NFS). In many respects, Sun is best known in the networking world for its implementaof NFS. NFS provides a networkwide file system that enables other systems supporting NFS to mount andaccess files (or sets of files).

As previously noted, Sun's approach to ONC has been to recruit other vendors and manufacturers into the ONC folnd NFS has been a key factor in the recruiting process. For example, DEC, HP, and IBM have NFS implementatior many of their proprietary operating systems. In the world of UNIX, NFS is frequently bundled with TCP/IP torovide a LAN-wide file system. In fact, nearly 100 different companies have implementations of NFS, XDR, and
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RPC for their particular systems or applications.

However, NFS, XDR and RPC are not the sole components of Sun's ONC environment. Other members of thisnvironment include the following:

Secure RPC. An implementation of RPC with additional security that verifies the identity of each RPC user.

RPC Generator (RPCGEN). A high-level program development tool that simplifies RPC programming.

RPC Application Program Interface (RPC API). The combined library of the RPC and XDR interfaces madeavailable for applications development on a given system. This is normally a high-level interface used byprogrammers.

Automounter. Works in conjunction with NFS to automatically mount and dismount files and file sets as theyneeded.

Network Information Services (NIS). Maintains a common list (database) of files that can be accessed by varisystems in the ONC environment. NIS implements a form of network security. Note that NIS was formerlyknown as Yellow Pages (YP).

Network Lock Manager. Provides record- and file-level locking of information accessed through NFS.

Status Monitor. Enables one system to determine whether another system has been restarted.

Remote Execution (REX). Enables a user on one system to execute commands and programs on other systemsthe network.

NETdisk. Provides a booting mechanism for diskless workstations in the network.

PC-NFS. Provides services in support of PCs in the ONC environment. This topic will be discussed in moredetail later in this chapter.

Application/User Relationship

ecause Solaris combines two UNIX implementations (AT&T and Berkeley versions), it uses the same multiuser,multitasking capabilities as these mainstream versions.

or the most part, Sun systems are used as engineering workstations. In this highly graphical application, virtuallyvery cycle of every available processor goes toward maintaining the display and display quality (especially when

manipulating 2-D and 3-D objects).

un also produces systems targeted as servers in large, multiuser environments, and these models do not fall into thame general category of the engineering workstations. Instead, they typically fall into one of two extremes:

No-user systems. These systems are used solely as network devices (normally file servers). Although other uaccess these systems, they are doing so through their own native systems.

Data center servers. The high end of the server line includes large-capacity disk storage for local andnetworkwide use and support for a moderate number of terminals (up to 64). This size of device is, in fact,multiuser oriented and is similar in concept to the DEC VAX midrange systems.

he application's interaction with the user is somewhat at arm's length. The user interacts with the operating systemsession, as with DEC's VMS and HP's MPE. This session orientation gives the user a working area in which to

unction that is (theoretically) independent from other users on the same system.


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he application program, however, relies on system-level (or network-level) routines to make the communicationsridge between the user and itself. The information passing across this bridge might be simple character-oriented dr complex graphics-oriented information, depending on the application.

his approach to programming is common in the UNIX environment. In fact, in the UNIX environment, much efformade to isolate the program from the physical aspects of the systems and the network. With Solaris and the ONCrchitecture, this same philosophy is extended to encompass a much broader range of possibilities.

Terminal Attachment Philosophy

Where Sun's older architecture was based primarily on freestanding workstations, Sun's new UltraComputingrchitecture is focused on the network. As Sun's products became more accepted in a broader range of functions, Suegan to push into the midrange computing market dominated by DEC, among others. In this market, the need torovide a reasonable per-user cost dictated that Sun offer basic terminal connectivity to the products they targetedoward this market. This terminal connectivity requirement was in addition to a requirement for LAN connectivity.

o address this requirement, Sun provides simple, point-to-point connections between terminals and its higher-endervers. The nature of this connection follows the approach used by other UNIX implementations: a standard RS-23onnection to a variety of character-oriented terminal devices (from a variety of manufacturers). Again, this is simio the approach used by other midrange computer manufacturers (such as DEC and HP).

However, with the increased popularity in graphics-based user interfaces and X Window terminals, Sun--and the rf the industry--was forced to take a stand on implementing a noncharacter terminal interface. Sun's response was tse a graphics-oriented user interface it had co-developed with AT&T for UNIX. This product was named Open Lnd it worked with existing X Window terminal standards. In the interest of establishing a common UNIX desktop,owever, Sun agreed to forsake Open Look in favor of Motif, as specified by the Common Desktop EnvironmentCDE).

One of Sun's earlier GUI innovations was its SunTools product, which enabled a user to have more than a singleerminal emulator on the screen at one time. SunTools included two terminal emulators, the Terminal Tool, which wtrue VT100 emulator, and Command Tool, which recorded a history of the login session. SunTools later became

OpenWindows, although it still required two separate terminal emulators. Later, the Open Software Foundation camp with the Motif interface--which Sun did not immediately embrace, despite a tremendous user demand for theWindows-like GUI. Sun now sells an implementation of CDE that runs on top of Solaris, which effectively put an o OpenWindows.

n terms of actually manufacturing any character or graphics-oriented terminals, Sun has kept its distance. In fact,nstead of embracing the X Terminal approach as a manufacturer, Sun has introduced diskless workstations that offhe functions of an X Terminal at a low price but with the advantages of an engineering workstation.

un unveiled this approach with the SPARCstation SLC, a SPARC-based workstation that comes close to the priceX Terminal offerings but still provides the basic functions of a workstation. Although the SLC is diskless, theONC/NFS architecture enables the SLC to retrieve programs and data from the network to which it is attached. Thi

ot altogether different from using diskless workstations in PC LANs.

ucceeding the SLC is the SPARC Xterminal 1, which boasts a clock speed of 50 MHz and runs the microSPARCrocessor. This X terminal offers strong performance, and a high-resolution color display. Besides running X termipplications, the Xterminal 1 can run software that would otherwise require an additional system, such as Windows

Macintosh. The Xterminal 1 includes standard X11R5 software, giving it access to a variety of servers using TCP/INFS, SNMP, BootP, Telnet, and several other networking protocols.

Peer-to-Peer Relationships


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eer-to-peer processing is a critical element within Sun's concept of workgroup computing, and it significantlynfluences Sun's approach to networking. In Sun's world, people with similar information requirements must be ablhare this information with one another to reduce duplication and increase efficiency. Sun provides two criticalunctions to establish and maintain peer-to-peer relationships: Network File System (NFS) and RPCs.

NFS provides common access to shared information. Multiple programs and users can access the same set ofnformation, such as files and records, as peers via NFS. Because NFS can oversee multiple systems accessing theame information, NFS can be a focal point for this sharing or exchange of data. A key factor in this technology is

NFS's capability to perform record-level and file-level locking to prevent the simultaneous update of the same

nformation (see Figure 5.2).

IG. 5.2Peer-to-Peer Communications via NFS

RPCs are used for customized program-to-program communications. From another perspective, programs on differystems can establish peer-to-peer communications with one another via Sun's RPC architecture. After theommunications link is established, the two (or more) programs can freely exchange information with one another,egardless of their respective locations in the network (see Figure 5.3).

IG. 5.3Peer-to-Peer Communications via RPC

urthermore, these functions are not mutually exclusive. Combined RPC and NFS solutions can, for example, be

mplemented to share data in localized work groups via NFS, while RPC functions are used to distribute a subset oocal information to a wider audience within the total network.

hus, implementing NFS and RPC on a wide variety of systems produced by different manufacturers is an attractivossibility. NFS and RPC can be used in a multivendor environment to create peer-to-peer relationships betweenystems and programs that previously could not recognize one another or exchange information.

PC Integration Strategy

un's underlying approach to integrating PCs with its technology focuses on PCs operating on the same LAN as theun equipment or networking products. Within that LAN, Sun concentrates on enabling the PCs to access standard

ONC/NFS services. In the case of file services, this means that the PCs can access a non-PC NFS server.

un's main product in the PC arena is PC-NFS, a PC-resident software package that permits DOS and Windows uso share data and resources with UNIX systems, minicomputers, and mainframes running TCP/IP and ONC/NFS. P

NFS works with a PC Ethernet card and provides basic connectivity to the network (via TCP/IP) and to NFS servehe three basic PC-NFS functions (see Figure 5.4) are:

NFS Client. This function within PC-NFS handles the interface between MS-DOS and the NFS server. In throle, the NFS Client performs the necessary network activity (in concert with the network hardware) tocommunicate with the NFS server. Because the NFS file structure (native UNIX) is foreign to MS-DOS, theNFS Client function also handles the mapping of the NFS names into MS-DOS names. And finally, the NFS

Client works with both MS-DOS and NFS to support and maintain networkwide record and file locks.

IG. 5.4Connectivity via Sun's PC-NFS

VT100 emulation. Because the lower layers of PC-NFS depend on TCP/IP to handle the networking servicesproduct also includes VT100 emulation for TELNET access. This enables the PC to act as a terminal to accesother systems in the NFS and/or TCP/IP network.

File Transfer Protocol (FTP). Most implementations of TCP/IP include FTP, which transfers files from onesystem to another. PC-NFS includes FTP to provide a high degree of functional compatibility with other TCPsystems in the network. Whereas the NFS Client can provide online access for a user or application to an NF
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n a Sun network, then, the workstations and servers attach to a thick or thin LAN (see Figure 5.5). TCP/IP manageommunications over the 10 Mbps Ethernet. Communications among the systems on the LAN can occur in twoifferent fashions.

IG. 5.5Sample Sun Network Architecture

ecause Sun's underlying network protocol is TCP/IP, the standard TCP/IP mechanisms for system-to-systemommunications can be used. In Sun's environment, the two most widely used communications are TELNET forerminal access and FTP for file transfer.

un has added its own network services above TCP/IP. These services are commonly referred to as Open NetworkComputing/Network File System (ONC/NFS). They include NFS for sharing files and records throughout the netwnd RPC to enable a program running on one system to communicate with a program running on a different system

Connectivity with PCs starts with the PCs being connected to the Ethernet LAN. Running with MS-DOS, Sun suppC-NFS to implement TCP/IP on the Ethernet connection and to provide three essential services that enable the PCarticipate in the Sun network: NFS Client for access to files stored on NFS servers, VT100 to give the PC TELNEccess, and FTP for file transfers.

n terms of interfacing with other systems, Sun has focused on connectivity with DEC and IBM, enabling itsONC/NFS partners to establish other connectivity options with other systems. Sun uses a gateway approach betwee

he Sun and IBM network environments. Its SunLink connectivity solution for IBM equipment can connect to an Imainframe system via a channel attachment, a SNA SDLC data communications connection or a non-SNAisynchronous data communication link. The SunLink IBM solution offers the following:

IBM 3270 terminal emulation to access IBM applications.

RJE and NJE emulation to facilitate bidirectional file transfer.

LU 6.2 support for native IBM program-to-program communications (APPC).

or DEC connectivity, Sun supplies two approaches with SunLink DNI and implements support for DECnet. This

olution provides the following:

VT100 emulation for access to DEC systems.

Support for standard DECnet file transfers.

Support for standard DECnet task-to-task communications.

Alternatively, Sun provides a solution that implements NFS (and TCP/IP) in a VAX environment, thus enabling theDEC equipment to participate in the Sun network.

Other connectivity solutions are provided by the companies subscribing to the ONC/NFS strategy. Also, because Su

mplements standard TCP/IP over Ethernet, virtually any standard Ethernet bridges can be used to tie Sun networkogether over a wide area.

High-Speed Networking

un offers switched Fast Ethernet and Fast/Wide SCSI 2 functionality directly on the motherboard of the Ultra serieworkstations and servers. No other workstation vendor is currently offering Fast Ethernet directly on the motherboa

un's SunATM Adapter 2.0 provides for 155 Mbps ATM networking. Sun also offers a 10/100 Mbps auto-sensingunFastEthernet add-on adapter and the SuNFDDI adapter for connectivity to 100 Mbps FDDI networks.

he dual-speed Ethernet add-on is the most efficient way to migrate to high-speed networking; it can operate at eit


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peed and automatically switch to the highest possible rate. The same gradual migration approach is taken with theunATM Adapter. The ATM adapter includes an implementation of LAN Emulation 1.0, a specification that permin ATM network to appear as an Ethernet LAN. (For more information on ATM and LAN Emulation, see ChapterNetwork Management," p. 242.) With LAN Emulation, a hybrid network can be created that leverages the higherandwidth possibilities of ATM using existing wiring.

ava Internet Programming Language

he Internet presents a number of programming and networking challenges. Sun's Java is the first programminganguage to offer a platform-independent environment for programming for the Internet and other complex networava is portable and secure, and offers a previously unavailable level of interactivity to programmers and users

working on the World Wide Web.

ava is loosely based on C++ and has rapidly come to be an open standard for Internet programming. Hundreds ofmall Java applets have been created by Sun and third parties, which are downloaded across a network and run locava applications are platform-independent, so long as the receiving platform holds the Java Virtual machine. This

works as an interpreter between the end user's computer and the Java application. Potentially, Java could end the no port applications to multiple platforms.

UltraSPARC Technology

un introduced its UltraSPARC technology in November, 1995. With the Ultra family of workstations (see Figure 5un has raised the bar in workstation computing by bringing out technology for high-speed networking andollaborative computing and complex data designs.

he Ultra design replaces the bus-based interconnect with a faster, switch-based interconnect. The Ultra design isased on the Ultra Port Architecture (UPA), a switch-based interconnect that is typically found only inupercomputers, which can accommodate a data transfer of up to 1.3 Gbps. The UPA serves as a central switching

mechanism for integrating all system components, creating a close integration and high-speed connection between rocessor, I/O, graphics, memory, and networking. The UPA lends itself to efficient multitasking and significantlyeduces memory latency. Consequently, users will experience fewer delays when running complex processes.

n any networking model, messages are broken up into packets, routed to a destination, and reassembled. Under theUPA model, packets from multiple subsystems can be interspersed, so multiple transactions can take placeimultaneously. In the bus-based scheme, however, a single subsystem has complete and exclusive control over theus while its message is being delivered; other subsystems are unable to use the lines during the transaction. Currenun is the only vendor to offer this technology in workstation-class machines.

he UPA brings five innovative technologies to the UltraComputing architecture:

IG. 5.6Sun Ultra 1 Workstation

UltraSPARC. The latest of the SPARC family of microprocessors, the UltraSPARC has a 64-bit architecture is one of the fastest microprocessors on the market. The superscalar design enables four instructions to beexecuted per clock cycle. The UltraSPARC has several advantages over traditional processors. Its non-blockiload/store unit can continue functioning after a cache miss--that is, when instructions are not on the on-chipcache and must be located in external caches or main memory. In addition, its multilevel trap handling facilitprovide for speedy context-switching and better multitasking performance.

Visual Instruction Set (VIS). The VIS is built into the motherboard, and is able to significantly improve graphand multimedia performance without the need for add-in cards. This set of instructions can execute 2-D and technology, image process-ing, real-time video decompression, pixel format/conversion, fast data transfer, ananimation.


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Creator Graphics. A graphics engine that produces speedy graphics manipulation. It offers true 24-bit color, accelerates windowing and graphics manipulations.

3D-RAM. 3D-RAM is a subset of Creator Graphics that incorporates memory management technology toincrease performance for 3-D graphics.

Fast Ethernet. Fast Ethernet technology is built directly into the motherboard. The Ultra architecture remainscompatible with 10BaseT Ethernet and supports other networking standards, including ATM and ISDN.

he Ultra is compatible with the existing base of applications developed for the Solaris operating system. Throughun's Wabi (Windows application binary interface) emulation software, Ultra workstations can also run Windowspplications. In addition, Wabi enables Solaris users to cut and paste between Solaris programs and several popular

Windows applications. Typically, Windows emulation carries an excruciatingly high processing burden. Wabiliminates much of this burden by mapping Windows function calls directly to native X services.

he Ultras run the latest version of Solaris, the Solaris 2.5 SPARC Edition. This version of Solaris has been optimior the Ultra, and supports the Ultra's high-speed VIS instructions and 3-D graphics.

he Ultra family includes the following:

Ultra 1 Model 140. An entry-level machine suited for computationally intensive desktop applications. It comwith a 143 MHz UltraSPARC processor.

Ultra 1 Creator Model 170E. Uses a faster, 167 MHz processor and is better suited to computationally-intens2-D graphical applications.

Ultra 1 Creator3D Model 170E. Has a 167 MHz UltraSPARC processor and is meant for higher-end 3-D animaging applications, such as scientific visualization or CAD.

Ultra II Creator3D Model 2200. A multiprocessor system with two 200 MHz UltraSPARC processors. It is bfor extremely intensive applications, such as fluid dynamics or high-end animation.

UltraServer 1. Model 140 (143 MHz), Model 170 (167 MHz), and Model 170E (167 MHz) combine the benof the UltraSPARC architecture and 100BaseT networking, with enhanced cache management and reducedmemory latency (see Figure 5.7).

hrough the UltraSPARC's UPA technology, these devices can offer superior server performance for common netwpplications, such as Lotus Notes or SAP R/3. The UltraServer can integrate with and manage PC, UNIX, and

Macintosh networks. The servers support all major network protocols, including TCP/IP, SNA, OSI, and DecNet. Tevel of support permits end users to access data on mainframes, minicomputers, and desktop systems.

un's Ultra architecture optimizes computing to accommodate rapidly growing public and private networks. Thismodel significantly reduces latency, and is able to accommodate a wide range of data types. The Ultra architectureddresses four challenges that have come to be pervasive in modern network computing: the need for superioromputational performance, visual computing, fast networking, and network-based software.

everal software vendors support the Ultra platform. The systems are compatible, for the most part, with other Sunystems.

IG. 5.7Sun UltraServer 1 Workgroup Server

he SPARCstation/SPARCserver family includes the following:

SPARCstation/SPARCserver 4 Series. This is Sun's entry-level system. It is binary compatible with the entirefamily of SPARC systems and can be upgraded with a chassis swap. It is best for smaller workgroups of up t


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ten users and has up to 12G of disk storage.

SPARCstation 5/SPARCserver 5. The SPARCserver 5 system is a mid-range workgroup server, intended forworkgroups of up to 40 users, and has up to 25 GB of disk storage.

SPARCstation 20/SPARCserver 20 Series. Several different models of the high end SPARCstation 20 series available, from uniprocessing SuperSPARC machines, to multiprocessing hyperSPARCs. The hyperSPARCHS21, HS22MP, and HS14MP models are especially well-suited for compute-intensive applications. ThehyperSPARC processor is an ideal platform for applications such as simulation and modeling, and the machi

can easily connect with the enterprise through built-in 10BaseT and AUI Ethernet networking features.

The SPARCstation machines can integrate well into a multivendor environment. As with other Sun systems, thyperSPARC machines support industry-standard Ethernet, Token Ring, Fast Ethernet, ATM, and FDDI.Mainframe and minicomputer connectivity can be achieved through Sun's support of SNA, TCP/IP, OSI, andDECnet protocols. The SPARCstation 20 might be well-suited for data warehousing and other high-capacityapplications when used along with the SPARCstorage Model 200. The SPARCserver 20 is designed for up tousers and has up to 50 GB of disk storage.

SPARC Storage Library. This storage system uses a robotic handling mechanism to automatically transfer tapThe library is a high-capacity system that can easily handle major backups on an unattended basis. This high

automated system is capable of performing a self- inventory and automatically cleaning its own drives. TheTower model works with mid-range servers and a rack-mounted model is available for larger systems. Thedevice works with most data management software and it can support a hierarchical storage managementenvironment.

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