The June 1998 Monthly Bulletin For Users Of SPARC Based Products

June 30, 1998

Issue No. 57

I. SPARC News……………!

II. SPARC COMPLIANT ADDITIONS, DELETIONS AND PRODUCTS IN PROCESS

III. SPARC VERIFIED ADDITIONS, DELETIONS AND PRODUCTS IN PROCESS

IV. SPARCSHOP


I SPARC News

I. A. – SPARC INTERNATIONAL WELCOMES BELL MICROPRODUCTS

San Jose, CA–June 8, 1998–Bell Microproducts, Inc. joined SPARC International as a VAR member. Bell Microproducts is one of the nation’s largest distributors of semiconductor and computer products and is a growing contract manufacturer serving industrial, OEM commercial and information technology reseller markets. It is one of the few high-technology companies which combines in-house contract manufacturing and integration with value-added distribution of advanced semiconductor and computer products.

I. B. – SPARC INTERNATIONAL MEMBERS CAMPAIGN TO STRENGTHEN THE SPARC COMMUNITY!

We would like to take a minute to acknowledge a “Job Well Done” by our Member Companies who have worked deligently seeing that the appropriate SPARC International Logos and attributions of the SPARC trademarks have been added to their web sites and marketing materials. Your successful efforts continue to strengthen the SPARC Community!

One of the benefits of SPARC International membership is that we have links to each of your own web sites from the SPARC International site. We are still finding members web sites that are not following the SPARC International standards with respect to including the correct logos and attributions of the SPARC Trademarks.

Please check your page located in the membership area sparc/members to be sure that the link is accurately up-to-date. We would appreciate your adding the SPARC International logo to your web site with a link to SPARC International’s home page which would be an added bonus. If any changes are needed to your web page please contact cheryl@sparc.org.

For those of you who have tested product(s) sparc/certified, please have the correct logo displayed next to the tested product(s) (i.e., SPARC Compliant/SPARC Verified/SPARC Architecture, etc.) contact Roger Sack, Program Director at roger@sparc.org, or Karen Anaya, Trademark Coordinator, at karen@sparc.org.

I. C. – LINKON DEMONSTRATES IP TELEPHONY ON THE SUN PLATFORM AT SUPERCOMM

Fairfield, CT–June 8, 1998– Linkon Corporation (OTC BB: LKON) conducted live demonstrations of its voice and fax over Internet Protocol (IP) technology at the Supercomm ’98 trade show (June 8-11), in the Sun Microsystems booth. The demonstration featured Linkon Corporation’s LinkNetIP Telephony Gateway designed for Sun Microsystems’ new generation of PCI-bus SPARC chip-based servers, including the Sun NetraT 1100 and Sun Enterprise 450 servers.

The demonstration of the LinkNet IP Telephony Gateway features the largest single commercial release of new Linkon technology in the company’s history. Among the new enhancements includes integrated IP voice and fax communications, IP switching, consolidated logging and reporting functions, SS7 (Signaling System 7) protocol support, telco-grade hardware-based echo-cancellation, a robust “QoS” (Quality of Service) and network management feature-set, and enhanced services support for interactive voice response and speech recognition.

The PCI-based, LinkNet Gateway uses Linkon’s new Maestro System communications board for the Sun PCI bus, supporting a full range of computer telephony and IP telephony applications, including Voice over IP, Internet fax, and call center automation. Linkon’s LinkNet IP Telephony Gateway is the winner of the “Best of CTI Expo” award from the recent CTI Spring ’98 Expo, and the company’s Maestro System DSP-based communications board and companion API software toolkit products are winners of CTI Magazine’s 1997 Platinum Editor’s Choice award.

At present, the LinkNet IP Gateway can support from four analog channels to multiple E1/T1 digital circuits, providing up to 90/96 full-duplex digital communications channels. Current LinkNet customers have deployed systems for phone-to-phone communications over satellite networks; for prepaid calling card services; for SS7 network protocol-based applications; in “Thin Client” Call Center applications using Java technology; and in Intranet and Internet-based configurations both domestically and internationally. The LinkNet IP Gateway and the Maestro System technology it employs have been designed to address IP telephony’s most difficult technical issues, including full-duplex communications, scalability, echo cancellation, efficient audio compression, and low delay time (latency).

For more information, visit Linkon’s website at www.linkon.com.

I. D. – nStor LEADS STORAGE INDUSTRY WITH INNOVATIVE nVANTAGE ON-SITE WARRANTY SERVICE PROGRAM

Lake Mary, FL–June 17, 1998–nStor(tm) Corporation, Inc., (AMEX: NSO), a leading worldwide manufacturer of high performance, state-of-the-art high-availability RAID subsystem and information storage solutions, today introduced its innovative nVantageSM on-site warranty service program for nStor storage subsystems in the 48 contiguous United States. nVantage consists of three (3) on-site service plans; each structured to provide the user with a different level of on-site warranty service, depending on individual site requirements. In addition, nStor announced its nVantage Plan 1 on-site support (5×9, next day service) will be included FREE OF CHARGE with all nStor RAID subsystems sold in the 48 contiguous United States. Plan I support is also available as an add-on option for all nStor desktop and Parity+ products. For networks and applications with time-sensitive, mission-critical data, upgrade plans to 5×9, same day service and 7×24 service are also available.

nStor also announced all CR8e subsystems sold in the domestic U.S. since January 1, 1998 are being grandfathered into the nVantage plan, providing these customers with one full year of nVantage Plan I on-site service, free of charge, beginning with the date they register for the plan.

“Dataquest expects that service as a percent of RAID spending will grow from 10% in 1998 to over 17% by 2000. The mission-critical application list has broadened, especially with the growth of NT-based servers. Robust RAID-services is a critical aspect to guarantee the 24×7 access to on-line data,” stated Thomas Lahive, Senior Analyst of Gartner Group’s Dataquest.

About nStor nStor designs, manufactures and markets a full range of cross-platform storage solutions including advanced external RAID subsystems and stand-alone data storage enclosures, tape backup solutions, UNIX-based memory products, digital media management products, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. Previously Conner Storage Systems (prior to being acquired from Seagate Technologies in 1996), nStor leverages more than 11+ years of experience in the area of data storage solutions. Located in Lake Mary, Florida (near Orlando), nStor Corporation, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of nStor Technologies, Inc. (AMEX: NSO). nStor has 12 sales offices located around the U.S. nStor products are marketed through a worldwide network of OEMs, distributors, VARs, system integrators, and corporate accounts. Additional Information about nStor and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at www.nstor.com.

Contact: Diane Weinzierl, Public Relations Manager nStor Corporation Phone +407 829-3624 Fax +407 829-3638 Email: diane.weinzierl@nstor.com.

I. E. – TADPOLE TECHNOLOGY UNVEILS NEW BREED OF PORTABLE, ULTRASPARC™IIi-DRIVEN SYSTEM

Cambridge, UK–June 23, 1998–Specialist computing vendor Tadpole Technology Plc of Cambridge today stretched the accepted technological envelope in mobile Solaris computing with the launch of a new breed of rugged and compact UltraSPARCIIi-driven systems offering unprecedented power, memory, capacity and connectivity features.

A truly portable system/server giving full functionality to Sun Microsystems’ much-acclaimed 300MHz UltraSPARCIIi processor and 100% operating compatibility in the SPARC/Solaris environment, Tadpole’s astonishing new systems provide up to 1GB memory and 20GB removable disk capacity achieved through innovative use of four high-speed Ultra-DMA controllers, each supporting a single 5GB Ultra-IDE disk and arranged as two removable twin packs. They also provide integrated fast-wide SCSI and 10/100 Base T networking, extensive user-installable PCMCIA features and graphics connectivity by an optional range of half-size PCI cards.

Designated the VoyagerIIi series, Tadpole has developed its new computer range to meet global demand for such groundbreaking mobile systems from across-the-board sectors of the established Sun environment markets.

RRP prices start at around 6,000 (under $10,000), exclusive sales tax. Availability: 21 days. Tadpole Technology can be visited on the World Wide Web at where the VoyagerIIi white paper can also be downloaded. Customer enquiries and full documentation from Tadpole on telephone +44 (0)1223 278200 or by Email infoline@tadpole.co.uk.

I. F. – TATUNG INTRODUCES INDUSTRY’S HIGHEST PROCESSING SBUS-BASED DESKTOP WORKSTATIONS

Milpitas, CA–June 29, 1998– Tatung Science & Technology, Inc. has introduced the COMPstation U2360, a new 64-bit desktop workstation that utilizes dual 360 MHz UltraSPARC-II processors to provide a powerful SBus-based computing solution. Now shipping, the new COMPstation U2360 represents the highest processing SBus-based desktop workstation available.

“The new COMPstation U2360 systems demonstrate our commitment to the SBus, even as we are expanding our product line with new PCI-based systems,” said Kam Chan, president of Tatung Science & Technology, Inc. “More importantly, the new workstations provide a powerful computing solution for the installed base of SPARC systems users who want to upgrade to a higher processing level without migrating away from SBus.”

The COMPstation U2360 delivers performance of 15.2 SPECint_95 and 27.5 SPECfp_95.* As part of Tatung’s COMPstation U2MP™ Series of Sun Ultra 2-compatible workstations and servers, the new system offers up to 2GB of memory and features SMP capabilities. SMP, available as a standard feature, distributes the operating system and applications across multiple processors for faster execution.

In addition to providing more processing power in a dual, 360 MHz configuration than Sun, Tatung differentiates its systems from the Sun Ultra 2 line with more drive capacity (up to 18GB), which is made possible by four drive bays available for expansion peripherals. The bays can be outfitted with two, standard 3-1/2″ hard drives; one 5-1/4″ CD-ROM drive; and one 5-1/4″, 14 GB tape drive, or a 3-1/2″ floppy disk drive.

Standard configurations are offered at suggested list prices starting from $25,230.

Tatung is offering an Ultra 2-compatible upgrade program for those users of Ultra 1 and Ultra 2-compatible systems who would like to obtain 360 Mhz, 64-bit processing capabilities. Current COMPstation U2MP users can replace their existing

About Tatung Science & Technology, Inc.

Tatung Science & Technology, Inc., a U.S. subsidiary of the over $4 billion, multi-national Tatung Co., is the leading provider of SPARC compatible work stations and servers. The company’s product line features the broadest range of client/server computing solutions available, from desktops to servers. Tatung is a founding member of SPARC International.

For more information, contact Tatung Science & Technology, Inc., 1840 McCarthy Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035. Telephone 1-800-659-5902. E-mail: mkt@tsti.com Home Page: www.tsti.com.

II. SPARC COMPLIANT ADDITIONS, DELETIONS AND PRODUCTS IN PROCESS

SCD

The SPARC Compliant brand, awarded by SPARC International, assures end users that systems so branded will work with any other product branded to the same level of the “SPARC Compliant Definition (SCD).”; This list, updated monthly, includes changes made to the master list at SPARC Compliant Products by Vendor. For additional information send email to: info@sparc.org.

ADDITIONS (System Products)

Company & Product Name O/S SCD DATE
HCC Horizon Ultra2 OEM 2.6 2.1 10 JUN 98

Please Note “*C”; indicates “Conditional SPARC Compliance”. This means that certain waivers have been temporarily granted. A list of these waivers can be obtained upon request to the above named companies. Waivers must be resolved prior to the expiration dates shown by the declared Certification date.

SYSTEMS IN PROCESS

None at this time

ADDITIONS (Semiconductor Products) None at this time.

DELETIONS None at this time.

SEMI-CONDUCTOR IN PROCESS

SIDSA/TGI Division ECU-001 v8

NOTE At times, unannounced systems (“in process” or “certified”) may not be included in this report at the request of the vendor.

III. SPARC VERIFIED ADDITIONS, DELETIONS AND PRODUCTS IN PROCESS

Verified

The SPARC Verified brand, awarded by SPARC International, assures end users that the peripherals they want to use will work on the SPARC Compliant systems they target. This list, updated monthly, includes changes made to the master list at SPARC Verified Products by Vendor. For additional information send email to: info@sparc.org.

ADDITIONS

Company Name Product O/S SCD DATE
Adtec ADS-1GUE 16Mwx DIMM 2.5.1 2.1 10 JUN 98
Adtec ADS-256MUE 4Mwx DIMM 2.5.1 2.1 10 JUN 98

DELETIONS
None at this time.

IN PROCESS
None at this time.

III. SPARCSHOP

SPARC-related documents are available through SPARC International’s bookstore, SPARCSHOP. Access to SPARCSHOP is available several ways,

  1. email sparcshop@sparc.org
  2. phone us at 1-408-748-9111 x240

Currently available

The SPARC Architecture Manual, Version 8 $50.00
SPARC-V8E Embedded Supplement to SPARC-V $25.00
The SPARC Architecture Manual, Version 9 $55.00
Implementation Characteristics of Current SPARC-V9 based products $25.00
Mbus Interface Specification (Version 1.2) $40.00
SPARC Compliance Definition (SCD 1.1) $20.00
SPARC Compliance Definition (SCD 2.1, 2.1A) $20.00
SPARC Compliance Definition (SCD 2.2) $20.00
SPARC Compliance Definition (SCD 2.3/2.3 IS) $20.00
SPARC Compliance Definition (SCD 2.4) $40.00
SPARC Technical Papers Manual $56.00
SPARC Strategy and Technology Catalog $39.00

SPARC-FLASH is distributed by SPARC International. All rights reserved.

– Managing Editor –

Cheryl Hostetler

Direct Inquiries To – sparc-flash-request@sparc.org

SPARC International promotes the design, development and application of SPARC to computer and peripheral products; establishes hardware and software standards; enables compatibility across SPARC-branded products; and provides, promotes and protects SPARC and SPARC-related brand names.

SPARC International has verified to the best of its ability all of the product information contained in this newsletter. Information in this newsletter has been provided by the vendors. SPARC International has not reviewed claims made about product features or functions, and is not responsible for the accuracy of such claims. Users may want to obtain references, documentation, and/or demonstrations before purchasing any products or services. No vendor is authorized to act as an agent of SPARC International, or to make any representations or warranties on SPARC International’s behalf.

The following are Registered® Trademarks of SPARC International, Inc.:

SPARC® SPARCbook® SPARCenter® SPARC Compliant®
SPARC Compliant SCD & Design® embedSPARC® SPARC International® SoundSPARC®
SPARClite® SPARCprinter® SPARCserver® SPARCstation®
UltraSPARC® UltraSPARC Driven® SPARC Storage® SPARCworks®
MicroSPARC® microSPARC® SuperSPARC® SPARC (Stylized)®
SPARCcompiler® SPARCphone® ftSPARC® hyperSPARC®
SPARCluster® SPARCsummit® SPARC64® SPARC64/OS®
SPARCengine® SPARC LT® SPARC O/S® SPARC PC®
SPARCluster 1® SPARCplug® SPARCtop® SPARK®
TurboSPARC® UltraSPARC Driven & Design® UltraSPARC Driven & Design (Logo)® UniSPARC®

Other Trademarks that are in use or Pending Registration include:

SPARCstation SPARC811 SPARCbuilders SPARCard
SPARC Compatible SPARC Compliance SPARC-FLASH SPARC Technology
SPARClet SPARCtop SPARC V9 SPARCbuilders
SunSPARC SPARC Product Directory SPARCshop SPARC Technology Business
SPARC Verification SPARCware SPARKit SPARC Power
SPARC64-GP SPARC Driven SPARC-Line SPARC-Line
ConsumerSPARC SPARCV9 SPARC_V9 SPARC Verified
SPARC Verification SPARCware SPARKit EuroSPARC


Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based on an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company, Ltd. All other product names, trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.