Conference mvblab::alphaserver_4100

    1) Does AlphaServer 4100/4000 crash if one of CPU crashes in SMP 
       environment?
    
    BC> Most definitely. Note, however, that a failed CPU detected during
    BC> power-up testing will not join the other CPUs, and booting will
    BC> continue (e.g. auto-reboot). Even if the primary CPU fails, the
    BC> system firmware will reassign another CPU to become the primary.
    
    2) Any new CPU coming out on AlphaServer 4100?
    
    BC> The 466 MHz CPU (B3004-DA) is the most Recently announced/shipping
    BC> CPU to date. Others are in the works.

                  **************************************
                         PRODUCT AND PARTNER NEWS
                  **************************************

DIGITAL Boosts of AlphaServer 4000 and 4100 systems  On February 17, 1997, 
DIGITAL will announce two new capabilities for the AlphaServer midrange 
product line.  These new capabilities add a significant new level of 
performance and  a new upgrade path that offers double the I/O bandwidth 
with 16 64-bit PCI slots.

The new 5/466 models of the AlphaServer 4000 and AlphaServer 4100 are the 
new top-of-the-line models.  They utilize an Alpha 21164 microprocessor 
clocked at 466 MHz. Like the 400 MHz models, these new processor boards 
come with 4 MB of high speed off chip cache. An upgrade to 5/466 is 
available for all existing models of the AlphaServer 4000/4100.

The  AlphaServer 4000 has always been upgradable to the full 4 SMP 
processing power and 8 GB of system memory of the AlphaServer 4100. The I/O 
Expansion option offers AlphaServer 4000 customers a new upgrade path.  As 
an alternative, they can now double the number of PCI slots to 16 and 
double the I/O channels to 4.  This will support complex application 
configurations and is capable of up to 1 GB of I/O bandwidth.

Highlights include:
- Price/performance leadership for 2 processor UNIX will be announced with 
  TPC-C results 6,767 tpm-C at $120 per tpm-C for the AlphaServer 4000 
  5/466.

- DIGITAL will again shatter all Windows NT and UNIX performance for Lotus 
  Notes 4.5 out-classing all other alternatives... any vendor... any 
  platform. 

- The best SPECweb96 scores on AlphaServer 4000 and DIGITAL UNIX. With 
  scores of 1157 ops/sec with a AlphaServer 4000 5/400 single processor 
  system, and 1544 ops/sec with 5/466 two processor system, the AlphaServer 
  4000 is THE Inter/Intranet solution of choice.

- New I/O Expansion - I/O Powerhouse Upgrade. The AlphaServer 4000 system 
  now offers double the flexibility for complex applications with 16 PCI 
  slots and 4 independent I/O channels. These slots are needed by highend 
  clusters and other complex configurations.  In addition, I/O bandwidth is 
  doubled to 1GB/sec to support new emerging applications such as media and 
  publishing, NFS file server and Networked multimedia.

For additional information and sales support tools, visit the DIGITAL 
Business Link website at: :http://www.businesslink.digital.com under New 
Product Introductions.

DIGITAL Business Link Provides Partners With Useful Tools 
DIGITAL Business Link, the information and electronic commerce service for 
DIGITAL partners and customers, provides access to a expanding roster of 
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The service offers Business Partners a single point of password-protected 
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- Configuration: beta version available February, 1997 with a follow-up 
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    For completeness: *any* DIGITAL system with WNT crashes if a processor
    fails. This isn't specific to the 4100 (nor is it even specific to NT).
    
    regards
    john

	And just to add:

	If this concerns customer, then Cluster is way to go! Specially
	don't let the MPP hype to confuse...

    
    and 3)  the Star coupler can, when properly configured, support up to
    16 nodes.  Up to 15 of these, if memory serves, can be storage
    controllers, at least one must be a system.  Mix-n-match as desired,
    your mileage may vary...
    
    bob

	The SC008-AC is an 8-port star coupler.  You upgrade it to a
	16-port star coupler by adding in a SC008-AD (I *think* that's the
	right P/N, but I'm at home).  From memory (again), the -AC
	includes a cabinet, and the -AD mounts in the -AC's cabinet.

	So, you can get a (supported) 16-node cluster with one SCmumble
	cabinet, but not with merely a -AC.  (I'm not sure of the P/Ns
	since I'm at home, but the capability and growth path are correct.)

Cheers, Bob

    
    Yes, I should have deleted the -AC from that...  And, you're right
    about the part numbers.  The SC008-AC is the 8-node, dual path base
    and the SC008-AD is the additional Star Coupler panels that add into
    the -AC cabinet to build a 16-node dual path.  Special internal jumper
    cables cross-connect the panels to determine the configuration.
    
    bob