Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!rice!sun-spots-request
From: weber@cg-atla.agfa.com
Newsgroups: comp.sys.sun
Subject: Re: 4/330 and IPI technology
Keywords: Hardware
Message-ID: <3849@brazos.Rice.edu>
Date: 5 Dec 89 14:29:26 GMT
Sender: root@rice.edu
Organization: Sun-Spots
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Approved: Sun-Spots@rice.edu
X-Refs:  Original: v8n205
X-Sun-Spots-Digest: Volume 8, Issue 220, message 1 of 19

In article <3245@brazos.Rice.edu> you write:
>X-Sun-Spots-Digest: Volume 8, Issue 205, message 4 of 19
>
>I need information on IPI technology running on sparc servers. I am
>interested in getting a SparcServer 330, I am not interested in paying for
>a SparcServer 390. 
>
>Does anyone know who makes the IPI disk and disk controllers for Sun, so I
>don't have to pay their prices? Does or has anyone tried a SparcServer 330
>with the IPI disk system? 

We are working on doing that now.  There are a few problems to note:

* Most IPI disks cannot run that much faster than better SMD drives
  (3.0MB/sec)
* Sun's IPI interface is a two board set and will not fit in a 330
* Early 330's had a smallish powersupply and you have to be careful about
  how much you're drawing out.
* I have not been able to determine just how the CPU board knows that there
  is a SMD/SMD-clone board in there to boot off.

I would say to buy a 370 for the slots and powersupply and put your own
SMD or IPI if you wish.  IPI is pretty new and not established enough to
support the end-user who is playing system integrator too.

Most of the big names in disk controllers (Xylogic, Interface, etc) have
beta boards to do what you're talking about.  I don't think any are
released solid products.

Regards, Jeff Weber