Enterprise Server 450




 
 
  • A high-performance symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) system, the Enterprise 450 server combines power, storage capacity, fast I/O throughput, and exceptional network I/O speed for industry-leading performance and price/performance levels. 
  • The Enterprise 450 is the most powerful workgroup server in the industry, with up to:
  • Four 400MHz UltraSPARC(TM) -II 64-bit RISC processors, 4MB E$
  • Four 300MHz UltraSPARC(TM) -II 64-bit RISC processors, 2MB E$
  • or
  • Four 250MHz UltraSPARC(TM) -II 64-bit RISC processors, 1MB E$
  • internal cache is 16KB for instruction and 16KB for data
  • max 4GB of memory,
  • 16 DIMM module slots, four banks of fours slots
  • 32, 64, 128 or 256MB (when available) DIMMS
  • 144-pin 5V 60ns, 576bits wide, 512 data, 64bitECC
  • 1.78GB/sec memory thruput
  • UPA of 83.3MHz for the 250MHz modules
  • UPA of 100MHz for the 300MHz modules
  • 84GB of internal disk drive capacity (Ultra(TM)SCSI-3), 
  • six high-performance PCI buses that can move up to 1 gigabyte of data per second. As a result, the system can move data to memory at three times the speed of the Compaq Proliant 6000. 
  • 3 slots for 32bit 33MHz 5V PCI cards
  • 4 slots for 32bit or 64bit 33MHz 5V PCI cards
  • 3 slots for 32bit or 64bit 33MHz or 66MHz 3.3V PCI cards

  • Serial ports - 2 EIA-232D or EIA-423 ports using
  • DB25 (requires Y type of splitter cable)
  • one port that is 50 to 384 Kbps sync OR 50 to 460.8Kbaud async
  • parallel port - 2 EIA-232D or EIA-423 ports using
  • 2 MB/sec centronics compatible bidirectional
  • EPP port - DB25


  • ethernet 10/100 autoselect; RJ45 or MII


  • SCSI
  • 1, 3 or 5 40MB/sec UltraSCSI-3 busses for the internal drives
  • 1 20MB/sec Fast/Wide SCSI-2 for the CDROM and tape - 68 pin external connector


  • tape - 1 bay is available for 5 1/4" x 1.6" SCSI tape drive - 8mm or 4mm DDS-3 or SLR


  • Storage
  • 4, 12 or 20 hot swap disk bays
  • 1, 3 or 5 40MB/sec UltraSCSI-3 busses for the internal drives
  • max of 4 drives per channel
  • disks are etiher the 4.2GB 3 1/2" 1" 7200RPM hotswap UltraSCSI-3 drives
  • Supports up to 10 single/dual channel singled-ended or differential fast/wide or UltraSCSI PCI host adapters
  • External storage is the MultiPacks (50.4GB) initially
  • 1 20MB/sec Fast/Wide SCSI-2 for the CDROM and tape - 68 pin external connector
  • Power Supplies
  • upto 3 560Watt load sharing N+1 hot swap universal input (one supply standard) modular power supplies 1120 watt max
  • 15amp circuit at 110V, max power consumption is 1664 watts
  • 5,680 max BTU/hr
  • operating and non-operating Temperature
  • operating 5 to 40C
  • operating 41 to 104F
  • non-operating -20C to 60C
  • non-operating -4 to 140F


  • Height, weight, depth, width
  • Height is 58.1cm or 22.87 in.
  • weight is 94kg or 205lb
  • depth is 69.5cm or 27.4 in
  • width is 44.8cm or 17.64 in


  • rackmounting
  • can be rackmounted in standard 19" rack tath has a minimum depth of 675mm or 30 in. Rackmounting kits are available. Max of 2 in SunRack


  • codename of the E450 was Tazmo


  • The system supports several hundred users - as opposed to traditional workgroup servers that typically support fewer than 50 - at a price point that is competitive with Windows NT server offerings and far less than any comparable UNIX system. 
  • Performance - The combination of the Solaris operating environment and the highly scalable design of the system delivers the industry's best performance in its class in a wide range of business applications. The Enterprise 450 posted record results which outdistance the competition in key industry-standard benchmarks - TPC-C, which measures performance of online transaction processing applications, SPECweb, which measures performance of World Wide Web servers and NotesBench, which measures Lotus Notes and Domino server performance. "Posting a rate of 11,559.70 TPC-C transactions per minute (tpmC) at a price/performance of $56.60 per tmpC, the Enterprise 450 server beat the best published results from Compaq running Windows NT by 43 percent."
  • The SPECweb performance of the system, rated at 2854 SPECweb96 HTTP operations per second, is more than double the best published result on any Windows NT server. And the system's results on Notesbench - 5,600 simultaneous mail users - is nearly three times the performance of Compaq's best published result and almost 70 percent better than the highest number posted on a windows NT server.
  •  SECTION I

  •   =========
     
      1.  SUN PRODUCT INTRO Q4CY98 #23
      --------------------------------
      New Sun(TM) Enterprise(TM) 450 and HPC 450 Servers
     
      2.  PRODUCT PREVIEW DATE
      ------------------------
      October 21, 1998
     
      3.  ANNOUNCE DATE
      -----------------
      November 10, 1998
     
      4.  ACTION
                      NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTION:         Y
                      REPRICING OF EXISTING PRODUCT:    N
                      TRANSITION OF EXISTING PRODUCT:   Y
     
      5.  ANNOUNCEMENT SUMMARY
      ------------------------
     
      Announcing support by Sun's popular Sun Enterprise 450 workgroup server
      and HPC 450 server for Sun's hot, new, 400-MHz UltraSPARC(TM)-II processor
      with 4-MB Ecache.
     
      New Sun Enterprise 450 models that support this CPU will begin shipping
      in limited quantities in late November, with volume shipments beginning
      in December.
     
      A Sun Enterprise 450 motherboard upgrade and CPU upgrades to the new
      400-MHz UltraSPARC-II processor with 4-MB Ecache will be available in
      January 1999.
     
      Sun also introduces an enhanced Sun Enterprise 450 8-bay internal
      storage expansion option which improves system reliability and delivers
      additional DC power needed by higher performance UltraSCSI disks.
     
     
      6.  NEW FEATURES
      ----------------
     
      In addition to offering all the features and capabilities of previously
      announced Sun Enterprise 450 system configurations, the new Sun
      Enterprise 450 server models provide two standard hot swap power
      supplies, include Sun's new 32X SCSI CD-ROM drive, and support Sun's
      new 400-MHz UltraSPARC-II CPU with 4-MB Ecache.
     
      New Sun Enterprise 450 models will support all the same peripherals and
      internal options as before, and can be ordered with the same
      factory-installed options as previous models.  In addition, the new
      400-MHz CPU and new 8-bay internal storage expansion options can be
      ordered as factory-installed options in the new Sun Enterprise 450
      systems.
     
      With the new 400-MHz processors, the Sun Enterprise 450 system now
      delivers higher TPC-C performance and greater SPECweb96 performance.
     
     
      ZERO-BASE SYSTEM
     
      The new Sun Enterprise 450 server zero base system includes:
     
           - Sun Enterprise 450 server tower enclosure (rack mountable)
      NEW! - 32 x CD-ROM  (12X CD-ROM in previous models)
           - 1.44-MB floppy drive
      NEW! - Two 560W hot swap power supplies (one included in previous
             models)
           - External 68-pin F/W SCSI port
           - FastEthernet port (either RJ45 or MII)
           - Parallel and serial ports
           - Slots for:
      NEW!   - Four 250-MHz/1-MB, 300-MHz/2-MB, or new 400-MHz/4-MB
               UltraSPARC-II CPUs
             - 8 memory options (16 memory modules)
             - 10 PCI option cards
             - One 5.25-inch half height removable drive
             - One additional hot swap power supply
           - Disk cage for up to 20 low profile UltraSCSI hot swap disks with
             a standard backplane for four drives
           - Supports 4.2-GB and 9.1-GB 7200 rpm disks
           - Solaris(TM) Operating Environment server license
     
      The HPC 450 server zero base includes the Sun Enterprise 450 zero base
      plus a Sun HPC Software license for a 4-processor LSF and RTE Server
      (20 tokens for LSF and 20 tokens for RTE)
     
     
      400-MHz ULTRASPARC-II PROCESSOR WITH 4-MB E-CACHE
     
      The new 400-MHz CPU for the Sun Enterprise 450 system is compact,
      modular, pin-compatible, and nearly identical in physical size to the
      current 250-MHz and 300-MHz processors.  The slightly taller profile of
      this new module is due to the placement of the additional cache RAMs on
      the reverse side of the circuit card.  Functionally, the new 400-MHz
      CPU is identical to the current 300-MHz UltraSPARC-II CPU, except it
      runs 33 percent faster and provides twice the external cache offered by
      the 300-MHz processor.  No software changes are required to support
      these new processors in Sun Enterprise 450 systems.
     
      The new Sun Enterprise 450 system models have an updated main system
      logic board that accommodates the taller profile of the 400-MHz CPU, as
      well as the new processor's increased Ecache address space.  The system
      environmental controls encoded in the system firmware have also been
      updated to deliver the cooling needed to handle the additional heat
      dissipated by these faster CPUs.
     
     
      NEW 8-BAY STORAGE EXPANSION OPTION
     
      The new Sun Enterprise 450 8-bay internal storage expansion option
      offers improved reliability across the full range of operating
      conditions and satisfies the increased power requirements of newer high
      performance UltraSCSI disk drives.  This new expansion option can be
      installed in any Sun Enterprise 450 system.
     
     
      7.  PRODUCT TIMETABLE
      ---------------------
     
      - Press Release Date:        November 10, 1998
      - First Order Date:          November 10, 1998
      - First Customer Ship Date:  November 30, 1998
      - Volume Ship Date:          December 19, 1998
     
      8.  TARGET AUDIENCE(S)
      ----------------------
     
      All Sun direct customers and resellers
     
     
      9.  MARKET VALUE PROPOSITION
      ----------------------------
     
      The enhanced Sun Enterprise 450 server, with support for new 400-MHz
      CPUs, continues Sun's tradition of continuous technological innovation,
      delivering a compelling blend of business-critical performance,
      scalability, and reliability.
     
      The Sun Enterprise 450 system is the best platform choice today for the
      most cost-effective, yet stable and reliable small-to-medium-scale
      business-critical applications, such as databases, E-commerce,
      transaction processing, OLAP, and all internet-based services.
     
     
      10. PRODUCT DETAILS
      -------------------
     
      Feature                                 Benefit
      =======                                 ========
     
      Support for 250-MHz, 300-MHz,           Choice of CPUs helps
      and 400-MHz CPUs                        customers find the
                                              combination of performance
                                              and economy that's right
                                              for them
     
      New, 33-percent-faster CPUs             Faster processors deliver
                                              higher system throughput
                                              and greater productivity
     
      400-MHz CPU has                         More Ecache boosts system
      4-MB Ecache memory                      throughput and improves
                                              response time
     
      Standard 32X SCSI                       Faster software loads,
      CD-ROM                                  quicker system installations
                                              and updates
     
      Two hot-swap, 560W                      No more worries about when
      power supplies, standard                to add a power supply; option
                                              is now included at no
                                              additional charge
     
      Support for all existing                Easy to migrate to new system
      Sun Enterprise 450 options              configurations without worry
     
      100 percent software compatible         Easy to migrate to new system
      with previous Sun Enterprise 450        configurations without worry
      models
     
      CPU upgrade available for               Protects customer investment;
      previous Sun Enterprise 450 models      provides low-cost upgrade path
     
      -OPERATING ENVIRONMENT:
       The new Sun Enterprise 450 server models are supported by the
       Solaris 2.5.1 Operating Environment, November 97 or later, and by the
       Solaris 2.6 Operating Environment, February 98 or later.
     
      -UPGRADE PLAN:
       System Upgrades:  Upgrades to the new Sun Enterprise 450 system from
       earlier SPARC(TM) and UltraSPARC systems will be available with the
       introduction of new Sun Enterprise 450 zero-base system and partial
       upgrade systems.
     
       Customers upgrading earlier Sun Enterprise 450 servers to the new
       400-MHz CPU must order and install a system motherboard upgrade before
       installing the new processors.  The motherboard may be installed by
       the customer's trained service personnel, reseller, or Sun Enterprise
       Services.
     
       Processor Upgrades:  Upgrades from SPARC and UltraSPARC CPU modules
       (167 MHz, 200 MHz, 250 MHz, or 300 MHz) to the new 400-MHz 4-MB Ecache
       Sun Enterprise 450 processor module are available.  Customers may also
       return competitive systems and CPU module boards as trade-in for the
       400-MHz CPU module.
     
     
      11. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
      -------------------------
     
      Q. What are the differences between the old and new Sun Enterprise 450
         base systems?  Why introduce new system part numbers?
     
      A. The table below explains the differences:
     
         Old Base System                        New Base System
         ------------------------------         ----------------------------
     
         - Includes 12X CD-ROM                  - Includes 32X CD-ROM
         - Requires a service update            - Supports 400-MHz/4-MB CPUs
           to support 400-MHz/4-MB CPUs           as shipped
         - Includes one power supply            - Includes two power supplies
     
      Q. Which version(s) of Solaris will the new Sun Enterprise 450 models
         support?
     
      A. The new Sun Enterprise 450 models will run Solaris 2.5.1 Operating
         Environment November 97 or later, and Solaris 2.6 Operating
         Environment February 98 or later.
     
      Q. Can the Sun Enterprise 450 system with 400-MHz CPUs be clustered?
     
      A. Support for clustering will be announced at a future date.
     
      Q. Because these new Sun Enterprise 450 models include two power
         supplies, when, if ever, do I need to worry about adding another
         supply?
     
      A. The two power supplies included in new Sun Enterprise 450 systems
         provide all the power required by any configuration of internal
         system options.  A third power supply is needed only to provide full
         power redundancy in systems that have more than two 400-MHz CPUs or
         more than four internal disks installed.
     
      Q. How does the Sun Enterprise 450 system with 400-MHz CPUs perform on
         benchmarks?  How does it compare to recently announced 4-way Intel
         Xeon servers?
     
      A. Performance data will be forthcoming.  In general, the Sun
         Enterprise 450 system is very competitive with new 4-way Xeon
         systems running NT.
     
      Q. Can the new 400-MHz CPU be installed in an existing Sun
         Enterprise 450 system?
     
      A. Sun Enterprise 450 models prior to those announced today will
         support the 400-MHz CPU after a new motherboard is purchased and
         installed.  The motherboard installation may be performed by Sun
         Enterprise Services or by service trained customer personnel.
     
      Q. Can the 400-MHz CPU be installed in the same Sun Enterprise 450
         system with 250-MHz or 300-MHz CPUs?
     
      A. No.  As before, all processors in a Sun Enterprise 450 system must
         be identical part numbers.
     
      Q. Are there any performance numbers for the Sun HPC 450 Server?
     
      A. Yes,  the following table compares the main features and
         performances (each with maximum number of processors) of Sun's
         HPC 450 Server:
     
           Model               HPC 450
           =====               ========
     
           CPU MHz             400
           Cache/CPU MB        4
           Maximum CPUs        4
           Minimum CPUs        1
           Maximum Memory      4 GB
           Performance
           Gflop/s
            Peak               3.200
            Linpack*           1.841
            DP 1000
            Linpack*           2.879
            DP Rmax
     
           * Linpack and Linpeak results are based on the Solaris 2.6
             Operating Environment.
     
      Q. Explain the various performance numbers.
     
      A. The Peak Performance is the theoretical maximum compute performance
         based on the number of floating point calculations per second of a
         single processor times the number of processors in the system.
     
         Linpack DP 1000 represents the direct solution via LU factorization
         of a 1000 x 1000 full-matrix equation.
     
         The Linpack DP Rmax benchmark is the same task for an arbitrarily
         sized matrix chosen to exhibit maximum performance.  This benchmark
         is sometimes referred to as "Linpeak."
     
      Q. What is bundled with the Sun HPC 450 Server?
     
      A. The Sun HPC 450 Server comes bundled with a Sun HPC Software License
         that includes enough tokens for a fully populated configuration
         (maximum number of processors).  No software media nor documentation
         is bundled with the Sun HPC hardware.
     
      Q. Are these new 400-MHz CPUs supported in other Sun servers, or in Sun
         UltraSPARC workstations, such as the Ultra 450?
     
      A. No.  These processors are only supported in the Sun Enterprise 450
         server.
     
      Q. Will there be a 400-MHz processor available for these other Sun
         servers and workstations?
     
      A. It is Sun's policy not to discuss unannounced products.  However,
         Sun is constantly working on enhancements to its product line.  This
         includes developing faster processors.  Future announcements will be
         made with details of such enhancements after all qualifications and
         testing have been completed.
     
      Q. Can the new 8-bay internal storage expansion option be installed in
         an earlier model Sun Enterprise 450 system?
     
      A. Yes.  One or two may be installed.  The new 8-bay internal storage
         drive may also be installed in a Sun Enterprise 450 system that has
         the old 8-bay drive installed.
     
     
      12. LOCALIZATION AND INTERNATIONALIZATION
      -----------------------------------------
     
      The Sun Enterprise 450 system is fully localized.
     
     
      13. TRANSITION TIMELINE
      -----------------------
     
      Transitioning systems will follow this schedule:
     
      Last Order Date:  February 12, 1999
      Last Ship Date:   May 14, 1999
     
     
     
      Q4CY98 #23                                                  November 10, 1998
     
              SUN PRODUCT INTRO: New Sun Enterprise 450 and HPC 450 Servers
     
      SECTION II
      ==========
     
      14. ORDERING INFORMATION
      ------------------------
     
      First Order Date:          November 10, 1998
      First Customer Ship Date:  November 30, 1998
      Volume Ship Date:          December 19, 1998