[SunRescue] RE: SPARCplug

[nick at ns.snowman.net]

Hmmm.  Odd, the only thing I know of that runs 26MicroD is Fast Ethernet
MII (it's AUI equiv).  Is that possible?
	Nick

On Fri, 19 May 2000, Chris Powell wrote:

> 
> > > I recently obtained a Ross Technology SPARCplug unit. The main unit
> > > fits into a full-height 5" drive bay. It came with a 125MHz
> > > HyperSPARC MBus module and flying lead to a connector card with two
> > > audio jacks, keyboard/mouse port, 10baseT and small connector (AUI
> > > or serial ports?) on an ISA back plate.
> > 
> > Probably AUI, but I'm just guessing.  
> 
> It's the 26-way micro-D thing, but judging by the number of PCB tracks
> going to it, it's a parallel port. But that means the SPARCplug has
> no obvious serial connections, despite having two 85C30 SCC chips on
> board (one is used for Sun keyboard/mouse).
> 
> > > The last looks like
> > > a 3/80 or SS1 motherboard power connector.
> 
> I've checked again and the connector is actually 14-way, not 12-way
> as on the 3/80.
> 
> > > There appears to be space in the base of the main unit for a low
> > > profile hard disk. There is no obvious way of connecting to it
> > > though (no 50-way IDC header plug).
> > 
> > Are there any extra pin headers on the board anyplace?  
> 
> Nope. A number of jumpers, but no SCSI header.
> 
> Oh, it also has four LEDs on the front panel. One is power, one is
> hard disc, two are mystery LEDs with icons ((o)) and ))o((.
> 
> > > Am I missing a cable to take the SCSI from the main unit to an
> > > internal disk and to a external connector on an ISA back plate?
> > > Am I also missing a power cable assembly or can I just plug a
> > > SS1 power supply in? Will the SPARCplug take SuperSPARC MBus
> > > modules?
> > 
> > I'm not sure.  Got a DC or know where anybody has some pictures of these?  I
> 
> DC?
> 
> > don't think it would be worthwhile to put a SuperSPARC module in there, even
> > if you could.  The SM81 is the only CPU that would be faster than an HS125,
> > and the speed difference wouldn't be that huge, I don't think.  
> 
> I was thinking of moving the HyperSPARC module to my SS10, and moving
> the 40MHz SuperSPARC from that to the SPARCplug. The HyperSPARC module
> is part #511-6224-01 (on the MBus connector) #270-6214-58 on the PCB.
> I know this is a 125MHz unit, but what size cache does it have? Will
> it work in a SPARCstation 10 (currently containing a 36MHz SuperSPARC)?
> Does the module support SMP?
> 
> > > Anyone with one of these critters?
> > 
> > Not me, unless you want to give that one away...
> 
> I'm hanging on to it as it's so cute!
> 
> 
> Chris.
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