Tadpole Selects Sun
Microprocessor Technology
for New Mobile
Server Product Line
SPARCTM Processor Enables Powerful
and Portable Server Solution!
SAN JOSE, Calif. - June 23, 1998 - Sun Microsystems, Inc.
today announced that Cambridge, UK-based Tadpole Technology Plc has selected Sun's
300 MHz, 64-bit UltraSPARCTM- IIi microprocessor as the processing power for its
revolutionary VoyagerIIi series of portable servers, which debut today. Sun's UltraSPARC-IIi
processor is a highly integrated, PCI-based processor designed for low cost workstations
and servers as well as the high performance embedded market, including communication,
networking, and imaging applications. The integration capabilities of the UltraSPARC-IIi
enable breakthrough technology applications like Tadpole's VoyagerIIi mobile servers.
The UltraSPARC line is the critical foundation technology for our flagship product
line," said Bernard Hulme, Tadpole Chief Executive Officer. The UltraSPARC-IIi
processor allows us to provide a new generation of high-performance, compact, low-cost
mobile solutions."
Tadpole's VoyagerIIi Tadpole's VoyagerIIi series is a new line of portable servers
based on Sun's 300 MHz UltraSPARC-IIi processor and SolarisTM 2.6 operating environment.
It provides up to 1GB memory and 20GB removable disk capacity, integrated fast-wide
SCSI and 10/100 Base T networking, as well as extensive user installable PCMCIA
features. Graphics connectivity are provided by an optional range of half-size PCI
cards. Housed in a compact, rugged aluminum frame, the VoyagerIIi system weighs
just over 10 pounds (4.5kgs).
Pricing for the VoyagerIIi series starts around UK L6,000 (under USD $10,000),
excluding sales tax, and is available within 21 days.
"Tadpole's expertise in mobile solutions based on the SPARCTM and Solaris
operating environment is an important complement to Sun's business," said Mel
Friedman, president of the Microelectronics division of Sun Microsystems. "We
believe the VoyagerIIi series will offer technology professionals powerful and convenient
mobile servers for demonstrations and field applications."
UltraSPARC-IIi Processor and Module
Deliver Balanced Price/Performance Solutions
UltraSPARC-IIi processor is a highly-integrated 64-bit SPARC
V9 superscaler processor and is available both as a single chip and module. At 300
MHz with 512Kbytes external cache, the UltraSPARC-IIi processor-based module provides
a SPECint95 of 12.1 and SPECfp95 of 12.9. The UltraSPARC-IIi processor supports
four PCI devices at up to 66 MHz and an optional Advanced PCI Bridge is available
to increase connectivity and support demand for PCI I/O bandwidth for up to eight
devices at 33 MHz. The
UltraSPARC-IIi processor provides optimum I/O, memory and compute performance for
typical uniprocessor systems. This means a balanced price/performance solution that
delivers the power and features needed by high-end applications, such as optimized
power utilization, supporting manufacturability, and ease-of-design.
The integration of the UltraSPARC-IIi microprocessor and the Advanced PCI Bridge
allows designers to add UltraSPARC architecture price-performance levels to a broad
range of embedded and desktop designs. This CPU-Bridge combination not only optimizes
embedded designs that require maximum processing power, but also drives desktop
applications supporting connections to a wide array of PCI-compatible devices up
to 66 MHz (directly)
and 33MHz (across the bridge). The UltraSPARC-IIi processor is optimized for the
telecommunications, high-performance networking and imaging markets, and for use
in applications such as adjunct communication processors, switched routers and multifunction
printers and photocopiers.
Robust VISTM Multimedia Instruction
Set
Accelerates Networking
In addition to its many other features, the UltraSPARC-IIi
processor takes full advantage of the VIS instruction set for applications in accelerating
multimedia, image processing, and networking. The VIS instruction set continues
to be the highest-performance and most robust set of multimedia extensions available
today. UltraSPARC microprocessor customers have expanded the breadth of VIS applications
to include media intensive applications, such as 3D medical imaging.
Software Support
The UltraSPARC i-Series of processors supports Sun's Solaris
operating environment and is binary-compatible with the broad array of existing
SPARC applications. In addition, Sun is working with leading real-time operating
system (RTOS) and tool chain suppliers, including VxWorks/Tornado from WindRiver,
the ChorusOS operating system from Sun, BDS/OS from BSD1 and GNUpro from Cygnus,
for embedded applications.
Pricing and Availability
The 300MHz UltraSPARC-IIi microprocessor is available today
as both a single processor and module with 512Kbytes external cache. In volume quantities,
the new processor sells for $470, while the module sells for $890. The advanced
PCI-to-PCI Bridge (APB) sells for $50. The processor is available in a ceramic
LGA package and the APB is available in a plastic BGA package. For further information
about the UltraSPARC-IIi processor contact Sun Microelectronics sales at US (800)
681-8845 or international +1 (512) 434-1503, or visit our Web site at http://www.sun.com/microelectronics.
About Tadpole Technology
Tadpole Technology Plc is a global leader in the design and
manufacture of workstation-class portable computer systems, as well as board-level
and software products for blue-chip OEMs and end-users. A Sun Microsystems Vendor
Award Winner, Cambridge-based Tadpole Technology has a US subsidiary in Texas and
specialist distribution channels across Europe, North America and the Asian/Pacific
Rim. Tadpole Technology can be visited on the World Wide Web at http://www.tadpole.com.
About Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision, "The
Network Is The ComputerTM," has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:
SUNW), to its position as a leading provider of high quality hardware, software
and services for establishing enterprise-wide intranets and expanding the power
of the Internet. With more than $9 billion in annual revenues, Sun can
be found in more than 150 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://www.sun.com.
Sun, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems, Solaris,
ChorusOS, VIS, and The Network Is The Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks
of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All SPARC trademarks
are used under license and are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARC International,
Inc. in the United States and other countries. Products bearing SPARC trademarks
are based upon an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc.
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