Archive-name: sun-hdwr-ref/part5
Posting-Frequency: as revised
Version: $Id: part5,v 1.7 1995/10/22 22:00:41 jwbirdsa Exp $
THE SUN HARDWARE REFERENCE
compiled by James W. Birdsall
(jwbirdsa@picarefy.com)
PART V
======
DISKS
KEYBOARDS
MICE
MONITORS
FLOPPY DRIVES
TAPE DRIVES
DISKS
=====
SMD
---
MFM
---
ESDI
----
SCSI
----
Performance information for some Sun stock SCSI disks:
CAPACITY 207M 424M 669M 1.3G
FORM FACTOR (in) 3.5 3.5 5.25 5.25
AVERAGE SEEK (ms) 16 14 16 11.5
RAW DISK TRANSFER 1.6 2.5-3 1.8 3-4.5
RATE (Mbps)
PERFORMANCE (Kbps)* 509 1012 779 1429
RPM 3600 4400 3600 5400
BUFFER SIZE (K) 64 64 64 256
MTBF (hours) 50,000 100,000 50,000 100,000
* "Sun performs a combination of random and sequential benchmarks to
develop an overall measurement of performance for mass-storage
products. These tests are performed on Sun systems and a geometric
mean is calculated to generate a composite of the performance that a
typical user might expect."
Note that these numbers are highly nonauthoritative. In particular,
Sun frequently uses several different disk mechanisms for a
particular size (e.g. a SUN0207 may be a Maxtor LXT213S, a Quantum
PD210S, or a Conner CP30200), and performance will vary between them.
xxx-xxxx CDC/Imprimis/Seagate 94211-91
5.25" half-height, 91M, used in 386i models.
Looking at the back of the drive with the SCSI connector on the
left, there are four horizontal jumpers and four vertical
jumpers (which will be arbitrarily referred to as H0-H3 and
V0-V3 from left to right; actual markings on the drive are
unknown). H1 should always be jumpered, the other horizontal
jumpers should always be unjumpered. V3 should always be
jumpered; V0 through V2 seem to be the SCSI ID, MSB to LSB.
xxx-xxxx Quantum ProDrive 105s
3.5" half-height, 105M, used in the 3/80 and some SPARCstations.
Looking at the base of the drive, with the front to the right
and the SCSI and power connectors to the left, there are two
groups of three jumpers.
A2-A0
SCSI id, MSB (A2) to LSB (A0).
WS
To spin up drive at power up, jumpered. To wait for START
MOTOR command, unjumpered.
EP
Parity checking enabled when jumpered, disabled when
unjumpered.
SS
Self-seek test enabled when jumpered, disabled when
unjumpered. Should always be unjumpered.
IPI
---
IPI stands for Intelligent Peripheral Interface. It moves much of the
low-level I/O processing to the interface controller, relieving the
system CPU of the burden. Disks are daisy-chained as with SCSI, but up
to eight units are supported on one controller. As with SCSI, the chain
must be terminated. The maximum disk tranfer rate is 6M per second.
Note that more than four disks on a controller usually loads it
heavily and can cause the system to be unstable. With high-performance
disks capable of sustained 6M per second transfers, even three can be
too much.
Performance information for some Sun stock IPI disks:
CAPACITY 911M 1.3G
FORM FACTOR (in) 8 5.25
AVERAGE SEEK (ms) 15 11.5
RAW DISK TRANSFER 6 3.5-4
RATE (Mbps)
PERFORMANCE (Kbps)* 1368 1408
RPM 3600 5400
MTBF (hours) 50,000 100,000
CONTROLLER ISP-80 ISP-80
* "Sun performs a combination of random and sequential benchmarks to
develop an overall measurement of performance for mass-storage
products. These tests are performed on Sun systems and a geometric
mean is calculated to generate a composite of the performance that a
typical user might expect."
KEYBOARDS
=========
Type 1
------
No information.
Type 2
------
Type 2 keyboards were introduced with the Sun-2 model line (?). They
have large flat areas around the keys and have a distinctive
wedge-shaped profile. They have an RJ connector on the back and connect
to the CPU via an RJ cable. The mouse is completely separate on earlier
models; on later models such as the 2/50, the keyboard and mouse both
connect to an adapter which converts to a DB15. With this adapter, a
type 2 keyboard and Sun-2 mouse can be used with a Sun-3.
Type 3
------
Type 3 keyboards were introduced with the Sun-3 model line (?). They
have much smaller flat areas around the keys than a type 2 and the front
edge is curved downward rather than being a wedge. They connect to the
CPU with a male DB15 on the end of an integral coiled cable. The mouse
plugs into an RJ connector in the back of the keyboard.
Since type 4 keyboards can be used with systems expecting a type 3
(see Misc Q&A #8) with only a connector adapter, presumably type 3
keyboards could be used with systems expecting a type 4.
The pinout of the DB15 connector (on the CPU) is:
1 RxD0 (keyboard) 8 GND
2 GND 9 GND
3 TxD0 (keyboard) 10 VCC
4 GND 11 VCC
5 RxD1 (mouse) 12 VCC
6 GND 14 VCC
7 TxD1 (mouse) 15 VCC
Type 4
------
Type 4 keyboards were introduced with the 3/80, but are mostly used
on Sun-4 systems. They look like IBM PC 101-key keyboards. They have
8-pin DIN connectors on each side. One (doesn't matter which) connects
to a matching connector on the CPU; the mouse plugs into the other.
Type 4 keyboards can be used with systems expecting a type 3 (see
Misc Q&A #8) with only a connector adapter.
The pinout of the DIN-8 connector (female, on the CPU) is:
7 1 GND 5 TxDA (Keyboard)
8 6 2 GND 6 RxDA (Keyboard)
5 4 3 3 Vcc 7 TxDB (Mouse)
2 1 4 RxDB (Mouse) 8 Vcc
Type 4 keyboards come in a variety of layouts for various countries.
The layout code is set with DIP switches hidden on the bottom of the
keyboard and can be retrieved with the KIOCLAYOUT ioctl. The switches
are under a pop-off plastic cover in one of the wells for the flip-down
keyboard feet. With the bottom row of the keyboard toward you and the
keys facing down, the rightmost six DIP switches govern the layout code.
The leftmost switch causes the keyboard to identify itself as a type 3
instead of a type 4, and the remaining switch does nothing (?).
Type 5
------
Type 5 keyboards are used with more recent Sun-4 models.
Type 5 keyboards come in a variety of layouts for various countries,
as well as having a "UNIX" layout which changes the location of the
Control and Escape keys to their accustomed places. Six of the DIP
switches govern the layout code. Type 5 keyboards identify themselves as
type 4.
Type 5 keyboards can be used with systems expecting a type 3 (see
Misc Q&A #8) with only a connector adapter.
Type 5c
-------
Type 5c keyboards are the same as type 5, except that the keyboard
cable is captive.
Alternatives
------------
Ashok Desai no longer maintains the ergonomic keyboard FAQ, but has
kindly donated it for inclusion here:
1. Kinesis Corp.(800-4-KINESIS or 206-402-8100, Fax : 206-402-8181)
Kinesis sells an ergonomic keyboard for $390 and a Sun interface
box for $149. A kit containing both sells for $490. This is a
split keyboard with a fixed position and without tilt or
rotational adjustments. The Sun interface box allows you to plug
the keyboard to any Sun Workstation.
The Kinesis interface box only connects the keyboard. It does
not provide for a mouse or trackball. However, it should work
with any PS/2-compatible keyboard.
The Kinesis keyboard is available on-line in Safe comuting's
Internet store for $331.50.
2. KeyTronic (509-928-8000 or 800-262-6006)
Keytronic sells an IBM compatible PC keyboard called Flex Pro
whBich has the ability to separate the QWERTY section as well as
the ability to adjust tilt and slope.
3. Lexmark, Lexington KY (1-800-438-2468)
Lexmark has IBM compatible keyboard named Select Ease Keyboard,
Model M13(PN 1404600). The retail price is $179 ($199 with
separate numeric keypad) and is available from major computer
stores or directly from Lexmark. It has infinite adjustability
features for the user and includes palm rest. The spacebar is
divided in two halves to provide user the convenience of
"Backspace" function in either half or none.
The company has a free 30-day trial offer. If interested, please
email Chris Stelmack (christel@interaccess.com). Use "Keyboard"
as the subject. Further ordering instructions will be sent to
you.
4. Microsoft
The Natural Ergonomic keyboard retails for $99. It is a split
keyboard without tilt or slope adjustability. A long foot in the
front allows you to have negative tilt. It has IBM PC compatible
interface. You can buy it from any computer retailer. It should
work if connected to a Sun via the Kinesis interface box.
5. Health Care Keyboard Company (414 536-2160)
Health Care Keyboard Company sells a Sun-compatible split
keyboard, part number BPA9902SPK. The retail price is $715. This
keyboard can be split into three pieces and has multiple angular
adjustability through large gears. It won various awards and was
featured on national TV media. THIS DOES NOT NEED A SUN
INTERFACE BOX.
Since input devices in general and ergonomic features in
particular are very subjective to individual user's needs, you
should review the product carefully before making a selection
and investment of money.
For most of the keyboards above, you need an interface box in
order to use it with a Sun. The Kinesis interface box for Suns
should work with any IBM PS/2-compatible keyboard.
MICE
====
Sun-1
-----
Sun-2
-----
Optical mice, usually black, from Mouse Systems. They use a special
optical mouse pad with broad stripes. Cable with RJ connector which
connects either to the CPU directly or to an RJ-DB15 adapter (see type-2
keyboards above).
Sun-3
-----
Optical mice, usually white, from Mouse Systems. They use the same
mouse pad as Sun-2 mice. Cable with RJ connector which connects to the
back of a type-3 keyboard.
Sun-4
-----
Optical mice, usually white. They use a special optical mouse pad
with narrow stripes. Cable with DIN-8 connector which connects to a
type-4 or type-5 keyboard.
Alternatives
------------
Ren Tescher (ren@rap.ucar.EDU) maintains an unofficial trackball FAQ.
In general, some models of trackballs from MicroSpeed (click'n'lock,
S-Trac), ITAC Systems (Mouse-Trak), Rollermouse, Evergreen Systems
(Diamond XX and XL-5), and Logitech are supposed to be Sun-compatible.
The Logitech Trackman Mouse model T-CB1 is plug compatible with type 4
and 5 keyboards. According to Logitech, this model were OEM made for Sun
at their request.
A Sun-compatible mechanical mouse (CP-1) is available as an x-option
(X494 A) on the SMCC price list.
A Sun-compatible trackball is available from Kalleen's Computer
Products @ 1-800-262-1010 (PN CHP RM400-515, $94.32).
MONITORS
========
Monitor standards
-----------------
TTL MONO
These are used with very early Sun-2 monochrome video cards. Digital
signals. DB9 connectors.
ECL/TTL MONO
Only the video signals are ECL level; the sync signals are still TTL
level. Digital signals. DB9 connectors.
These are used with later Sun-2 monochrome video cards, Sun-3
monochrome video, and Sun-4 monochrome video; probably Sun-386i
monochrome video as well. They connect to the video system via a DB-9.
The pinout of the DB-9 (on the video system) is:
1 VIDEO+ 6 VIDEO-
3 HSYNC 7 GND
4 VSYNC 8 GND
9 GND
There are two standard resolutions, 1152 by 900 (normal) and 1600 by
1280 (high). Until recently, the standard scanning frequencies for
normal resolution were 61.8KHz horizontal and 66Hz vertical. The
standard scanning frequencies for high resolution are 89.3KHz
horizontal, 67Hz vertical.
GRAYSCALE
Grayscale monitors may be connected to mg-style monochrome or to
color framebuffers. They use analog signals. When connected to a color
framebuffer, the green signal is normally the one used.
COLOR
"4BNC" connectors are, as might be expected, four BNC connectors:
red, green, blue, and sync. "13W3" is an unusual connector combining a
10-pin D-shell and analog three video conductors:
gray/ 1 gnd*
red * * green blue 2 vertical sync*
| 1o 2o 3o 4o 5o | | 3 sense #2
(O) (O) (O) 4 sense gnd
6o 7o 8o 9o 10o 5 composite sync
* * 6 horizontal sync*
7 gnd*
* Considered obsolete, may not be 8 sense #1
connected. 9 sense #0
10 composite gnd
The codes for the three monitor-sense bits are:
0 ??? 4 1152 x 900 76Hz 19"
1 reserved 5 reserved
2 1280 x 1024 76Hz 6 1152 x 900 76Hz 16-17"
3 1152 x 900 66Hz 7 no monitor connected
Models
------
365-1020 Sony 16" color monitor
115VAC only, 4BNC connector. Operates at a resolution of 1152 x
900, 66Hz vertical refresh rate, and 61.8KHz horizontal sync
rate.
365-1063 Sony 16" color monitor
Same as the 365-1020 but with a 13W3 connector.
365-1113 Sony 16" Multiscan monitor
115/240VAC, FCC-B/VCCI-2, 13W3 connector. Operates at the
following resolutions and sync frequencies:
944 x 736 84Hz vert, 70.8KHz horiz 17" overscan
1076 x 824 76Hz vert, 71.7KHz horiz 17" overscan
1152 x 900 66Hz vert, 61.8KHz horiz 16" underscan
1152 x 900 76Hz vert, 71.7KHz horiz 16" underscan
1280 x 1024 67Hz vert, 71.7KHz horiz 16" underscan
365-1151 Sony 16" Multiscan monitor
115/240VAC, FCC-B/VCCI-2, 13W3 connector on integral 1.2M video
cable. Operates at the following resolutions and sync
frequencies:
1152 x 900 66Hz vert, 61.8KHz horiz
1024 x 800 74Hz vert, 61.9KHz horiz
365-1159 Sony 16" Multiscan monitor
Same as 365-1113, but has VLF.
FLOPPY DRIVES
=============
TAPE DRIVES
===========
Formats
-------
9-TRACK
Half-inch reel-to-reel tapes.
QIC-11
Quarter-inch cartridge tapes, maximum capacity 20M. The standard tape
drive for Sun-2's. Four tracks.
QIC-24
Quarter-inch cartridge tapes, maximum capacity 60M. The standard tape
drive for Sun-3's. Nine tracks. Can also read and write QIC-11 tapes.
Note that there were actually two QIC-11 formats, one with only four
tracks (capacity 20M) and an extended one with nine tracks, which had
the same capacity as QIC-24 but slightly different formatting. SunOS
allows selection of QIC-24 or QIC-11 (by using different entries in
/dev) when using a QIC-24 drive, but does not distinguish between the
two varieties of QIC-11; if you write past the end of track four, a real
QIC-11 drive will not be able to read all the data. In general, this
doesn't matter unless you want to read the tape on a real QIC-11 drive,
or sometimes when making boot tapes.
QIC-150
Quarter-inch cartridge tapes, maximum capacity 150M. Can read QIC-24
(and QIC-11?) tapes, but cannot write them (?).
Models
------
xxx-xxxx Archive 2150S
Look at the back of the unit such that the SCSI connector is
toward the bottom and the power connector is to the left. Below
the power connector is a jumper block, made up of three rows of
six pins each. Jumpers go from an odd-numbered column to the
next even-numbered column (1 to 2, 3 to 4, 5 to 6), not crossing
rows.
row 1/cols 1-2 serial mode UNJUMPED by default
Enables serial mode when jumped.
row 2/cols 1-2 diagnostic mode UNJUMPED by default
Enables diagnostic mode when jumped.
row 3/cols 1-2 SCSI parity JUMPED by default
Enables SCSI bus parity when jumped.
cols 3-4 buffer disconnect size
buffer size (K)
2 4 6 8 12 16 24 32
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
row 1: UN UN UN UN JU JU JU JU
row 2: UN UN JU JU UN UN JU JU
row 3: UN JU UN JU UN JU UN JU
cols 5-6 SCSI id
Row 3 is the LSB and row 1 the MSB.
END OF PART V OF THE SUN HARDWARE REFERENCE