Workstation boasts UltraSPARC 64-bit processor. The Ultra workstation family, based on the 64-bit UltraSPARC processor, runs compute-intensive applications up to 10× faster than its predecessors. Ultra 1 workstations deliver SPEC-int92 and SPECfp92 ratings of 252 and 351, respectively. The Ultra 2 achieves 332 SPECint92 and 505 SPEC-fp92 ratings. Workstations integrate 64-bit processing, 64-bit I/O channels, crossbar-switch technology, 2- and 3-D graphics, image processing, fast disk I/O, video capability, and 100-Mbps Ethernet networking directly on the motherboard. Prices start at $16,495 for an entry-level Ultra 1 with a 143-MHz processor, 32 Mbytes of RAM, 1-Gbyte hard-disk drive, and 17-in. color monitor. Sun Microsystems Inc, Mountain View, CA. (800) 821-4643.
Servers provide direct link to Internet. Two SPARC-based communication servers are intended for Internet service providers or for enterprisewide desk-to-Internet connectivity. Both the CS20E and CS1000 come with built-in Ethernet and integrated-services digital-network interfaces. An optional T1 interface card enables direct access to the Internet, eliminating the need for external equipment. The CS20E has a 50-MHz SuperSPARC CPU and four SBus slots to accommodate 64 users simultaneously. Boasting a 125-MHz HyperSPARC CPU, the CS1000 offers 19 SBus slots for up to 304 simultaneous users. The base price for the CS20E is $8995; the CS1000 costs $17,995. Integrix Inc, Newbury Park, CA. (805) 375-1055.
2½-in. mini drive stores 140 Mbytes. A viable alternative to floppy-disk drives, the MiniDisc Data drive uses a laser diode to read and write information on a 2½-in., 140-Mbyte disk. The MD Data drive accepts three types of disks, all suitable for multimedia: recordable, playback-only, and hybrid (with areas of recordable and playback-only). Equipped with National Semiconductor's MultiDrive Interface Controller (MDIC), the unit fits a 17-mm-high form factor and hot-plugs into a standard floppy-disk drive slot. The drive costs $200 (10,000). Sharp Electronics Corp, Camas, WA. (800) 642-0261.
Modem speeds access to Internet. Optimized for high-speed data services, such as accessing the Internet or holding videoconferences, the Internet Access Transceiver transmits data at speeds of up to 6.4 Mbps downstream and 224 kbps upstream over distances of up to 12,000 ft. Data rates of up to 8 Mbps over shorter distances are also possible. The modem uses an ANSI-compliant asymmetrical digital-subscriber-line (ADSL) chip set and includes a V.35 interface. Prices start at $2500. Aware Inc, Bedford, MA. (617) 276-4000.
Enclosure makes mass storage removable. Accommodating both 1- and 1.6-in. single-connector-attachment (SCA) drives, a desktop enclosure can be used to store up to 24 Gbytes of data. The SCA architecture of the Removable Mass Storage-1 (RMS-1) melds SCSI addressing, data flow, power, and activity LEDs into one backplane. The modular enclosure accommodates six combinations of both 1- and 1.6-in. drives, as well as wide and fast SCSI. The RMS-1 costs $660. Trimm Technologies, Las Vegas, NV. (702) 263-2310.
3.5-in. disk drive stores up to 8 Gbytes. Using magneto-resistive heads and PRML read-channel electronics, the Filepro Performance line of 3.5-in. disk drives stores up to 8 Gbytes in a 1.6-in.-high form factor. The CFP8717 uses 10 disks to achieve its 8.77-Gbyte capacity. A 4-Gbyte drive, the CFP4217, is also available. It features five disks in a 1-in.-high design. The 7200-rpm drives come with Ultra SCSI-3 and SSA interfaces with respective data-transfer rates of up to 40 and 80 Mbytes/sec. The CFP4217 costs $999; the CFP8717, $1799. Conner Peripherals Inc, San Jose, CA. (408) 456-4500.
Slave 486 coprocessor board is I/O-rich. By bridging to a host processor across a 128-kbyte block of dual-ported, bidirectional, shared memory, the MPC 486 I/O slave board enables high-speed interprocessor transfers of large amounts of data. In addition to 16 Mbytes of onboard memory space, the PC-compatible 486-based board provides 12-bit DACs, parallel I/O, and external-interrupt support for analog-control applications. Peripheral support includes serial, printer, and keyboard ports; a real-time clock; floppy and IDE controllers; and PC/104 and iSBX expansion connectors. The MPC 486 costs $1495. Technical Artisans Inc, New York, NY. (212) 721-9769.
Kits add memory to DEC AlphaStations. Memory kits for Digital Equipment AlphaStation 600 series workstations are compatible with the AlphaStation's hardware, software, and diagnostics and provide 32, 64, 128, and 256 Mbytes of storage. Suggested retail prices are $1910, $3820, $6955, and $13,910, respectively. Kingston Technology Corp, Fountain Valley, CA. (714) 435-2615.
ISDN digital modems operate at 128 kbps. Intended for computers running under Windows 95, the Diamond NetCommander integrates an integrated-services digital-network (ISDN) digital modem with a network terminator and an analog port for telephone, fax, and modem support in a single 16-bit ISA bus plug-and-play subsystem. The unit offers a digital transfer rate of 128 kbps, 4× that of a V.34 modem. You can also use two separate 64-kbps channels to simultaneously make one digital and one analog connection. The price of the Diamond NetCommander ISDN line starts at about $299. Diamond Multimedia Systems Inc, San Jose, CA. (408) 325-7000.
Voice and data modems transmit 28.8-kbps data. Supporting V.34 data and V.17 fax communications, the 288DSVD digital simultaneous voice and data (DSVD) modem operates at a data speed of 28.8 kbps and at a fax speed of 14.4 kbps. Another unit, the 288SP, provides software-based voice-over data, voice mail, and full-duplex speaker-phone functions. The 288-DSVD costs $349 for an internal half-size ISA bus card and $369 for an external version. The 288SP costs $299 and $319 in the same respective configurations. Best Data Products Inc, Chatsworth, CA. (818) 773-9600.