ch05.htm

this describes managing multivendor networks

<P>The dual-speed Ethernet add-on is the most efficient way to migrate to high-speed
networking; it can operate at either speed and automatically switch to the highest
possible rate. The same gradual migration approach is taken with the SunATM Adapter.
The ATM adapter includes an implementation of LAN Emulation 1.0, a specification
that permits an ATM network to appear as an Ethernet LAN. (For more information on
ATM and LAN Emulation, see Chapter 11, &quot;Network Management,&quot; p. 242.) With
LAN Emulation, a hybrid network can be created that leverages the higher bandwidth
possibilities of ATM using existing wiring.
<H3><A NAME="Heading11"></A><FONT COLOR="#000077">Java Internet Programming Language</FONT></H3>
<P>The Internet presents a number of programming and networking challenges. Sun's
Java is the first programming language to offer a platform-independent environment
for programming for the Internet and other complex networks. Java is portable and
secure, and offers a previously unavailable level of interactivity to programmers
and users working on the World Wide Web.</P>
<P>Java is loosely based on C++ and has rapidly come to be an open standard for Internet
programming. Hundreds of small Java <I>applets</I> have been created by Sun and third
parties, which are downloaded across a network and run locally. Java applications
are platform-independent, so long as the receiving platform holds the Java Virtual
machine. This works as an interpreter between the end user's computer and the Java
application. Potentially, Java could end the need to port applications to multiple
platforms.
<H2><A NAME="Heading12"></A><FONT COLOR="#000077">UltraSPARC Technology</FONT></H2>
<P>Sun introduced its UltraSPARC technology in November, 1995. With the Ultra family
of workstations (see Figure 5.6), Sun has raised the bar in workstation computing
by bringing out technology for high-speed networking and collaborative computing
and complex data designs.</P>
<P>The Ultra design replaces the bus-based interconnect with a faster, switch-based
interconnect. The Ultra design is based on the Ultra Port Architecture (UPA), a switch-based
interconnect that is typically found only in supercomputers, which can accommodate
a data transfer of up to 1.3 Gbps. The UPA serves as a central switching mechanism
for integrating all system components, creating a close integration and high-speed
connection between the processor, I/O, graphics, memory, and networking. The UPA
lends itself to efficient multitasking and significantly reduces memory latency.
Consequently, users will experience fewer delays when running complex processes.</P>
<P>In any networking model, messages are broken up into packets, routed to a destination,
and reassembled. Under the UPA model, packets from multiple subsystems can be interspersed,
so multiple transactions can take place simultaneously. In the bus-based scheme,
however, a single subsystem has complete and exclusive control over the bus while
its message is being delivered; other subsystems are unable to use the lines during
the transaction. Currently, Sun is the only vendor to offer this technology in workstation-class
machines.</P>
<P>The UPA brings five innovative technologies to the UltraComputing architecture:</P>
<P><A HREF="javascript:if(confirm('http://docs.rinet.ru:8080/MuNet/ch05/05fig06.gif  \n\nThis file was not retrieved by Teleport Pro, because it was redirected to an invalid location.  You should report this problem to the site\'s webmaster.  \n\nDo you want to open it from the server?'))window.location='http://docs.rinet.ru:8080/MuNet/ch05/05fig06.gif'" tppabs="http://docs.rinet.ru:8080/MuNet/ch05/05fig06.gif"><B>FIG. 5.6</B></A> <I>Sun Ultra 1 Workstation</I>

<UL>
	<LI><I>UltraSPARC.</I> The latest of the SPARC family of microprocessors, the UltraSPARC
	has a 64-bit architecture and is one of the fastest microprocessors on the market.
	The superscalar design enables four instructions to be executed per clock cycle.
	The UltraSPARC has several advantages over traditional processors. Its non-blocking
	load/store unit can continue functioning after a cache miss--that is, when instructions
	are not on the on-chip cache and must be located in external caches or main memory.
	In addition, its multilevel trap handling facilities provide for speedy context-switching
	and better multitasking performance.<BR>
	<BR>
	
	<LI><I>Visual Instruction Set (VIS).</I> The VIS is built into the motherboard, and
	is able to significantly improve graphics and multimedia performance without the
	need for add-in cards. This set of instructions can execute 2-D and 3-D technology,
	image process-ing, real-time video decompression, pixel format/conversion, fast data
	transfer, and animation.
	<LI><I>Creator Graphics.</I> A graphics engine that produces speedy graphics manipulation.
	It offers true 24-bit color, and accelerates windowing and graphics manipulations.<BR>
	<BR>
	
	<LI><I>3D-RAM.</I> 3D-RAM is a subset of Creator Graphics that incorporates memory
	management technology to increase performance for 3-D graphics.<BR>
	<BR>
	
	<LI><I>Fast Ethernet.</I> Fast Ethernet technology is built directly into the motherboard.
	The Ultra architecture remains compatible with 10BaseT Ethernet and supports other
	networking standards, including ATM and ISDN.
</UL>

<P>The Ultra is compatible with the existing base of applications developed for the
Solaris operating system. Through Sun's Wabi (Windows application binary interface)
emulation software, Ultra workstations can also run Windows applications. In addition,
Wabi enables Solaris users to cut and paste between Solaris programs and several
popular Windows applications. Typically, Windows emulation carries an excruciatingly
high processing burden. Wabi eliminates much of this burden by mapping Windows function
calls directly to native X services.</P>
<P>The Ultras run the latest version of Solaris, the Solaris 2.5 SPARC Edition. This
version of Solaris has been optimized for the Ultra, and supports the Ultra's high-speed
VIS instructions and 3-D graphics.</P>
<P>The Ultra family includes the following:

<UL>
	<LI><I>Ultra 1 Model 140.</I> An entry-level machine suited for computationally intensive
	desktop applications. It comes with a 143 MHz UltraSPARC processor.<BR>
	<BR>
	
	<LI><I>Ultra 1 Creator Model 170E.</I> Uses a faster, 167 MHz processor and is better
	suited to computationally-intensive 2-D graphical applications.<BR>
	<BR>
	
	<LI><I>Ultra 1 Creator3D Model 170E.</I> Has a 167 MHz UltraSPARC processor and is
	meant for higher-end 3-D and imaging applications, such as scientific visualization
	or CAD.<BR>
	<BR>
	
	<LI><I>Ultra II Creator3D Model 2200.</I> A multiprocessor system with two 200 MHz
	UltraSPARC processors. It is best for extremely intensive applications, such as fluid
	dynamics or high-end animation.<BR>
	<BR>
	
	<LI><I>UltraServer 1.</I> Model 140 (143 MHz), Model 170 (167 MHz), and Model 170E
	(167 MHz) combine the benefits of the UltraSPARC architecture and 100BaseT networking,
	with enhanced cache management and reduced memory latency (see Figure 5.7).
</UL>

<P>Through the UltraSPARC's UPA technology, these devices can offer superior server
performance for common network applications, such as Lotus Notes or SAP R/3. The
UltraServer can integrate with and manage PC, UNIX, and Macintosh networks. The servers
support all major network protocols, including TCP/IP, SNA, OSI, and DecNet. This
level of support permits end users to access data on mainframes, minicomputers, and
desktop systems.</P>
<P>Sun's Ultra architecture optimizes computing to accommodate rapidly growing public
and private networks. This model significantly reduces latency, and is able to accommodate
a wide range of data types. The Ultra architecture addresses four challenges that
have come to be pervasive in modern network computing: the need for superior computational
performance, visual computing, fast networking, and network-based software.</P>
<P>Several software vendors support the Ultra platform. The systems are compatible,
for the most part, with other Sun systems.</P>
<P><A HREF="javascript:if(confirm('http://docs.rinet.ru:8080/MuNet/ch05/05fig07.gif  \n\nThis file was not retrieved by Teleport Pro, because it was redirected to an invalid location.  You should report this problem to the site\'s webmaster.  \n\nDo you want to open it from the server?'))window.location='http://docs.rinet.ru:8080/MuNet/ch05/05fig07.gif'" tppabs="http://docs.rinet.ru:8080/MuNet/ch05/05fig07.gif"><B>FIG. 5.7</B></A> <I>Sun UltraServer 1 Workgroup Server</I></P>
<P>The SPARCstation/SPARCserver family includes the following:

<UL>
	<LI><I>SPARCstation/SPARCserver 4 Series.</I> This is Sun's entry-level system. It
	is binary compatible with the entire family of SPARC systems and can be upgraded
	with a chassis swap. It is best for smaller workgroups of up to ten users and has
	up to 12G of disk storage.<BR>
	<BR>
	
	<LI><I>SPARCstation 5/SPARCserver 5. </I>The SPARCserver 5 system is a mid-range
	workgroup server, intended for workgroups of up to 40 users, and has up to 25 GB
	of disk storage.<BR>
	<BR>
	
	<LI><I>SPARCstation 20/SPARCserver 20 Series.</I> Several different models of the
	high end SPARCstation 20 series are available, from uniprocessing SuperSPARC machines,
	to multiprocessing hyperSPARCs. The hyperSPARC HS21, HS22MP, and HS14MP models are
	especially well-suited for compute-intensive applications. The hyperSPARC processor
	is an ideal platform for applications such as simulation and modeling, and the machines
	can easily connect with the enterprise through built-in 10BaseT and AUI Ethernet
	networking features.<BR>
	<BR>
	
	<LI>The SPARCstation machines can integrate well into a multivendor environment.
	As with other Sun systems, the hyperSPARC machines support industry-standard Ethernet,
	Token Ring, Fast Ethernet, ATM, and FDDI. Mainframe and minicomputer connectivity
	can be achieved through Sun's support of SNA, TCP/IP, OSI, and DECnet protocols.
	The SPARCstation 20 might be well-suited for data warehousing and other high-capacity
	applications when used along with the SPARCstorage Model 200. The SPARCserver 20
	is designed for up to 70 users and has up to 50 GB of disk storage.<BR>
	<BR>
	
	<LI><I>SPARC Storage Library.</I> This storage system uses a robotic handling mechanism
	to automatically transfer tapes. The library is a high-capacity system that can easily
	handle major backups on an unattended basis. This highly automated system is capable
	of performing a self-inventory and automatically cleaning its own drives. The Tower
	model works with mid-range servers and a rack-mounted model is available for larger
	systems. The device works with most data management software and it can support a
	hierarchical storage management environment.
</UL>

<CENTER>
<P>
<HR>
<A HREF="ch04.htm" tppabs="http://docs.rinet.ru:8080/MuNet/ch04/ch04.htm"><IMG SRC="previous.gif" tppabs="http://docs.rinet.ru:8080/MuNet/button/previous.gif" WIDTH="128" HEIGHT="28"
ALIGN="BOTTOM" ALT="Previous chapter" BORDER="0"></A><A HREF="ch06.htm" tppabs="http://docs.rinet.ru:8080/MuNet/ch06/ch06.htm"><IMG
SRC="next.gif" tppabs="http://docs.rinet.ru:8080/MuNet/button/next.gif" WIDTH="128" HEIGHT="28" ALIGN="BOTTOM" ALT="Next chapter"
BORDER="0"></A><A HREF="index-2.htm" tppabs="http://docs.rinet.ru:8080/MuNet/index.htm"><IMG SRC="contents.gif" tppabs="http://docs.rinet.ru:8080/MuNet/button/contents.gif" WIDTH="128"
HEIGHT="28" ALIGN="BOTTOM" ALT="Contents" BORDER="0"></A> <BR>
<BR>
<BR>


<P>&#169; <A HREF="javascript:if(confirm('http://docs.rinet.ru:8080/MuNet/copy.htm  \n\nThis file was not retrieved by Teleport Pro, because it was deleted using Teleport Pro\'s Delete command.  \n\nDo you want to open it from the server?'))window.location='http://docs.rinet.ru:8080/MuNet/copy.htm'" tppabs="http://docs.rinet.ru:8080/MuNet/copy.htm">Copyright</A>, Macmillan Computer Publishing. All
rights reserved.
</CENTER>


</BODY>

</HTML>