Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!umich!yale!think!husc6!encore!pinocchio.encore.com
From: jdarcy@pinocchio.encore.com (Jeff "Duct Tape" d'Arcy)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.encore
Subject: Re: Need some info on encore
Message-ID: <11536@encore.Encore.COM>
Date: 8 Apr 90 00:17:45 GMT
References: <5618@buengc.BU.EDU>
Sender: news@Encore.COM
Lines: 39

bobd@telxon.UUCP (Bob Drotleff):
> I have a few questions regarding this computer.
> I don't usually read this newsgroup but am interested
> in learning more about encore systems.
> A "frequently asked questions" and answers list would
> be great. Such things as; who makes the box, what type
> CPU does it have, what UNIX version does it run etc.

bph@buengc.BU.EDU (Blair P. Houghton):
> 3. Umax is 4.x BSD, where x approaches 3 as the year approaches 2000. :-)

As was mentioned here very recently, UMAX 4.3 is already available.  Also,
UMAX V (SysV-based) is available as a product and Mach is in the process
of turning from a a very successful research project into a hopefully very
successful project.

bph@buengc.BU.EDU (Blair P. Houghton):
> 2. The question really is "what type CPUs does it have."
> Encores come with some number of identical processors in
> each box, usually ns32k's, usually from 2 to 20 of them.
> To find out what you really have, cc and run the following
> program on your local encore:
> [program deleted]

*Usually* from 2 to 20?  :-)  While it is possible to connect Multimaxen
in such a way that they appear to be a single system, any single cabinet
will contain at most 20 CPUs (at least for the time being).  As far as
your program is concerned, I'm sure you can imagine my surprise when I
looked at sysadmin.h on a nearby Multimax and found definitions for CPU
and FPU types that your program will display as "unknown"!  ;-)

Lastly, I'd like to mention that Gould CSD/SEL/ETC is now affectionately
known as Encore South, and they make a diverse range of machines including
the NP, PowerNode and Concept, runnning MPX, UTX and who knows what else.
Perhaps someone from down there can provide a more enlightening description
of what we're selling nowadays.

Jeff d'Arcy     OS/Network Software Engineer     jdarcy@encore.com
    DISCLAIMER: I don't represent Encore any more than you do