Sun's announcement of 4/40 (warning: rather lengthy)

[Bruce Allen]

[[Ed's Note: Some of the advertising mumbo-jumbo removed. Prices removed
throughout. Respaced and edited where appropriated. -bdg]]

July 25, 1990					A Sun Introduction Communique

		      WORLDWIDE NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT 
			   ** SPARCstation IPC **


SECTION I

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
------------------
****************************************************************************
*	- New packaging defines Sun's mid range SPARC desktop product line *
*	- SunOS 4.1, Open Windows Version 2 pre-installed for ease of use  *
*	- Same IU/FPU performance as SS1+ (10.0 SPECmarks)		   *
*	- 207MB disk on diskfull systems				   *
*	- 8MB memory, expandable to 12 or 24MB				   *
*	- 16" color, diskfull and diskless configurations 		   *
* 	- Binary compatible with all SPARCware applications		   *
****************************************************************************

ANNOUNCEMENT BRIEF
------------------
Basic Product Positioning:

- Lowest priced color RISC workstation ideally suited for entry level
  color applications

- First member in Sun's mid range desktop product line

- Strikes a balance between maximum performance (SPECmarks, memory and I/O
  expansion, graphics capabilities) and minimum cost

- Superior workstation alternative to high end, networked PC solutions for
  workgroup productivity environments

- The low priced color desktop client in the client/server model
  replacement to traditional timeshare environments

- Lowest priced color workstation for entry level technical applications

SPARCstation IPC FEATURES AND BENEFITS
--------------------------------------

- 25MHz SPARC IU and FPU delivers high performance at a low cost (10
  SPECmarks, 15.8 MIPS, 1.7 DP Linpack Mflops).

- 8MB memory (1 MB simms) standard, expandable to 12MB or 24MB

- 2 SBus slots for customized I/O expansion (both support masters/slaves)

- Internal 3.5" IBM compatible floppy drive standard, enables easy
  transfer of data, including MS-DOS files.

- Internal SCSI 3-1/2" hard drive capacity of 207MB to allow local storage
  of SunOS, applications, and data.

- Ethernet, 2 serial, SCSI-2, and Audio I/O ports for networking and
  peripheral connections without using SBus slots

- Open Windows Version 2, including Open Windows Deskset, is pre-installed
  on all diskfull systems; provides easy to use UNIX and powerful, network
  smart utilities. 

- Binary compatible with SunOS 4.0 and higher and all SPARCware applications


SPARCstation IPC and SPARC Desktop Family Positioning Information
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Key selling/positioning points to traditional workstation customers:

- Excellent price performance for entry level color applications

- 2100+ SPARCware applications available - most in industry

- Price point allows development machine and target application machine to
  be the same.

Key selling/positioning points for commercial and workgroup productivity 
markets:

- Combination of low priced color system, ease of use, and applications to
  make workgroup computing affordable, real, and easy to use

- 2-5 times performance of high end PCs at comparable price

- Single vendor solution for hardware, OS, networking capability

- Superior designed-in networking capability over PCs

- Platform that delivers to the customer the compute environment of the
  future, today!

- Power of UNIX AND ease-of-use with Open Windows 2.0, with network smart
  workgroup applications like Mail Tool, Calendar and File Mgr

- The most popular productivity applications are available native on UNIX,
  including Lotus 1-2-3, Word Perfect, DBase IV, and Ventura Publishing

Selling the Sun SPARC desktop product family:

With SPARCstation IPC, Sun now has three desktop product lines to offer
current and new Sun customers.  Each product line is defined by its
packaging, price point, range of configurations and overall performance
(including IU/FPU, I/O and memory expansion, graphics capabilities) :

- SPARCstation SLC, the lowest priced RISC desktop...the ideal diskless
  node and sold with servers as a client server replacement to timeshare
  environments

- SPARCstation IPC, Sun's lowest cost color workstation.  Sun's lead
  machine for opportunities where higher end color PCs are being considered
  as networked replacements to timeshare environments AND for non-technical
  workgroup productivity applications.  Also an ideal machine for entry
  level technical applications where the highest performance, expandability,
  and graphics are not required.

- SPARCstation 1+ and 1+GX:  This is Sun's lead machine for the technical
  market.  This is the product line where the latest in performance and
  technology innovations will be implemented first, and with the maximum
  performance, expandability and configurability.  This is our flagship
  desktop product line.  Power users and customers who want to be assured of
  the proper path to continued performance and technology improvements on
  the desktop should buy SPARCstation 1+/1+GX.

HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE CONSIDERATIONS
------------------------------------

Architecturally, SPARCstation IPC is a "clone" of SPARCstation 1+...
SPARCstation IPC uses the same CPU and I/O architecture as SPARCstation
1+.  There are some differences that are summarized below.

Serial Ports:

SPARCstation IPC offers two RS 423/232C serial ports using a standard
DIN-8 connector.  Each system package includes a DIN-8 to DB25 connector
to accommodate customers who have serial devices requiring a DB25
connector.  The serial ports on SPARCstation IPC do not support all
synchronous communication protocols.  SPARCstation IPC should NOT be sold
as a communications gateway where synchronous serial support is required
from the on-board serial ports.  SunNet and SunLink products requiring
synchronous serial support are not supported by the SPARCstation IPC
on-board serial ports.  SPARCstation IPC CAN OPERATE as a CLIENT of any
Sun workstation or server which does support these products.  SPARCserver
1+ remains Sun's lowest cost server and communications gateway machine.  

Memory Expansion Capability:

SPARCstation IPC has 12 SIMM slots on the CPU board.  8MB is the standard
SPARCstation IPC configuration, filling 8 of the 12 on-board slots.  The
remaining 4 slots can be filled with either 1MB or 4 MB SIMMs resulting in
12 or 24 MB of on-board memory.  As with SPARCstation 1+, memory must be
added in increments of 4 SIMM modules at a time.  If the 8MB of memory
installed in the factory is removed, up to 48MB of memory can be installed
using 4MB SIMMs.

Packaging/Vertical Stand:

SPARCstation IPC has the identical footprint to Sun's desktop storage
packs, allowing peripherals and the CPU package to be stacked, which
minimizes use of desktop space.

SPARCstation IPC was also designed to allow the 16" color monitors to be
stacked on top of the system unit.  However, the current 16" color monitor
has a base whose dimensions exceed that of the IPC CPU package, such that
the more practical approach is to place the CPU unit next to the monitor
(a new monitor base for the 16" color monitor is being retooled, but is
not yet available).  We have designed a stand which allows the customer to
safely orient the CPU package in a vertical position.  This stand will be
included in every system package as soon as possible after introduction
(likely to start appearing in September shipments).

SOFTWARE
--------

Diskfull SPARCstation IPC systems include SunOS 4.1 and Open Windows
Version 2 pre-installed on the disk (SunView is also resident on the
disk). SPARCstation IPC is binary compatible with all SPARCware
applications.

SunOS:

While all diskfull systems ship with SunOS 4.1 pre-installed, SPARCstation
IPC will operate under SunOS 4.0.3.  To run SunOS 4.0.3, it must be
installed according to the instructions in "Installing SunOS" and the
"Quick Install Guide" that come come with SunOS 4.0.3.

Open Windows:

The portion of Open Windows Version 2 that is pre-installed on every
diskfull system consists of the run time components of Open Windows (e.g.,
the Deskset utilities).  Open Windows is accessible to the user simply by
typing /user/openwin/bin/openwin after logging in.  Every diskfull
SPARCstation IPC includes Open Windows documentation for the Deskset
Environment and the Open Windows User's Guide.  As with all software, it
is strongly recommended that the customer have access to back-up media for
Open Windows.  Customers who want the Open Windows Developer's Set will
need to order that separately.

Documentation:  

A SPARCstation IPC Installation Guide has been written specifically to
address the SPARCstation IPC system.  The SPARCstation IPC documentation
is written based on SunOS 4.1.  A SPARCstation IPC Installation Guide for
SunOS 4.0.3 is not available.  The Sun System User's Guide and Sun System
and Network Manager's Guide also included in the SPARCstation IPC Owner's
Set is common to all desktops running SunOS 4.1.  A Field Service Manual
written specifically for SPARCstation IPC is also available.


QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
---------------------

Q: Since SPARCstation IPC has the same basic performance as SPARCstation
   1+, why buy a SPARCstation 1+ ?

A: SPARCstation 1+ and 1+GX remain Sun's power user desktop workstations.
   If accelerated color is a requirement, SPARCstation 1+ GX is the
   appropriate platform.  SPARCstation 1+, in the "pizza box" package,
   provides the greatest expansion capability, accelerated graphics, and
   upgrade path to the newest technology.  If maximum performance,  meaning
   MIPS, Mflops AND maximum memory, SBus expansion, configurations and
   graphics options are required, SPARCstation 1+ is recommended over
   SPARCstation IPC.

SPARCstation IPC is designed to satisfy customer requirements where low
cost, color, compact packaging, and some configurability and expandability
are more important than the highest performance and maximum expansion. 

Q: When a customer buys a SPARCstation IPC, is there an upgrade available
   to SPARCstation 1+ or follow-ons?

A: No.  SPARCstation IPC is a mid-range member of the SPARCstation family.
   SPARCstation 1+ is the high end member of the desktop family.  Customers
   who are interested in smooth migration from generation to generation of
   power user desktops should buy SPARCstation 1+.  SPARCstation IPC is the
   first in a planned mid-range product line. The upgrade path to
   SPARCstation IPC will be next generation machines designed for the
   SPARCstation IPC package.

Q: Why can't I get internal drive options for SPARCstation IPC?  Will the
   104 MB internal drive for SPARCstation 1+ work in an IPC?

A: To meet package design requirements for SPARCstation IPC,  new cable
   management and disk drive mounting brackets needed to be designed.
   Existing 104MB add-in drive assemblies will not fit properly into
   SPARCstation IPC.  Designing new assemblies and housings for this add-in
   option would raise the cost of the option to almost equal that of the
   207MB drive.  Thus the 207 MB drive becomes a much more attractive option,
   even if needed only as a swap disk.

Q: Why are the serial port connectors on SPARCstation IPC different from
   those found on SPARCstation 1+?  Are there any functional differences?

A: In order to provide the number of serial ports desired (2) in the
   smaller packaging of SPARCstation IPC, a smaller connector was required.
   The connector chosen was an industry standard DIN 8 connector, commonly
   used on other desktop computers (e.g., Apple products) as well as serial
   interface peripherals.  Even a single DB 25 connector would not fit within
   the space available on the back panel of a SPARCstation IPC.  However, a
   DIN 8 to DB 25 adapter cable is included with SPARCstation IPC
   configurations for customers who use DB25 serial connections.

Functionally, the serial ports on SPARCstation IPC are RS 423, RS232C
compatible, just as on SPARCstation 1+, and support asynchronous serial
communications.  However,  because the DIN 8 connectors deliver only 8
signal wires versus the 10 used on SPARCstation 1, SPARCstation IPC serial
ports do not fully support synchronous serial communications.  Synchronous
serial communications can be supported on SPARCstation IPC via an SBus
board that supports synchronous serial communications. 

SPARCstation IPC, UNLIKE PCs, is designed to do distributed computing -
the infrastructure is in place.  High performance networking capability is
designed into workstation hardware and the operating system.  For PCs,
this capability is often an afterthought and must be added in.  Therefore,
there are three main comparative advantages which a workstation has in
doing distributed computing: 

1. MULTITASKING - This facilitates processing of a variety of tasks from
   your workstation on different machines on the network WHILE you are
   working on your workstation.

2. SCALEABILITY - PCs can only do distributed computing within a small
   range of computers.  Workstations can exploit the resources of ALL
   computers from PCs to super computers.  Using TOPs/Sitka and PC/NFS, we
   can integrate existing PCs into a Sun network.  Furthermore.  PC network
   protocols do not scale up, while TCP/IP (then OSI) is designed for
   enterprise-wide computing.  Sun offers a full range of IBM and DEC
   connectivity products that enable Sun to integrate into the corporate
   enterprise environment.  

3. SEAMLESSNESS - Workstations, for example, can access a mainframe to use
   its power/data in a way which is transparent to the user.  PC's often must
   go into terminal emulation mode in order to do this.  In a workstation
   environment, the INDIVIDUAL EXISTS INDEPENDENT OF THE MACHINE.  This means
   that a user can go to any workstation on the network, anywhere in the
   world, and log on to that workstation as if it were his/her own machine,
   without disrupting the activity or files on that machine.  

SECTION II:  SPECIFIC US/EUROPE/ICON ANNOUNCEMENT INFORMATION

PRICING AND ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS FOR U.S.
------------------------------------------
[[Ed's Note: Removed - contact Sun. -bdg]]


AVAILABILITY
------------

16" diskfull and diskless configurations available now.