Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!mit-eddie!genrad!decvax!ittatc!dcdwest!sdcsvax!sdcc6!calmasd!rfc
From: rfc@calmasd.CALMA.UUCP (Robert Clayton)
Newsgroups: net.arch,net.unix
Subject: Re: ELXSI System 6400 .... Information needed
Message-ID: <1946@calmasd.CALMA.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 16-Jun-86 11:59:20 EDT
Article-I.D.: calmasd.1946
Posted: Mon Jun 16 11:59:20 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 19-Jun-86 07:50:01 EDT
References: <203@cybavax.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: G.E. CALMA R&D, San Diego, CA
Lines: 40
Xref: watmath net.arch:3482 net.unix:8200
Summary: Info re ELXSI

In article <203@cybavax.UUCP>, paul@cybavax.UUCP (Paul Middlehurst) writes:
> Anyone out there had experience with the ELXSI System 6400?
> 
> 	. How fast is it really?

Initially, they claimed 4X a VAX 780 for FORTRAN.  They improved their
compiler and claimed 6X.  They expanded their cache and claimed 7X.  In
a 10 processor test at Sandia Labs they got 10.1X the power of a single
processor.  Potential 80 MIP machine with a full complement of 12
processors.  64 bit processors.  6 processors fit in a cabinet the size
of a 780.  12 processors require two such cabinets with a necessarily
short cable joining the bus.  25 nsec bus, 50 nsec processors.

> 	. What of the SysV/4.2 ports?

Their Unix rides on top of their Message Based OS kernel.  Its System V.
I don't know of any 4.2 work, but by now, it's possible.

> 	. What support is available?

> 	. ... anything else you think I should know?

Their Gigabus is attractive with 200-300 MB/Sec capacity, and they
indicate a willingness to support special devices on it such as 100
MFLOP array processors.  64 MB/Sec I/O capacity and more if you need
it.

Price/MIP is comparable to VAX 8600.  Entry level price about 15%
above the 8600.

Gene Amdahl's Trilogy Corporation bought out Elxsi about a year ago.
Amdahl is now the head of the company.

The only machine I can think of that compares with the ELXSI in terms
of capacity is the IBM 3090 for 2-3X the price and Crays.  Their
market appears to be the "almost-super" computer market.

Bob Clayton
Calma, San Diego
(619) 587-3147