Conference azur::mcc

3822.0. "VirtualScreen on MultiScreen X terminals" by ISIDRO::MAMORENO () Tue Sep 29 1992 13:01

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    More info in "X terminals" conference.
    
    
    ==================================================================
    
                   (Draft of Sales Update Article)

The DIGITAL MFX600 -- Industry Leading Color/Grey-Scale X terminal, with
Multiple Screens, Multiple Network Controllers, Obsolescence Protection.

Contact: Mike Breen, (510) 653-9342, SZO
	 Vic Sakalys DTN 297-7767, MRO, 
	 Steve Elmore DTN 422 7370, OTO

HIGHLIGHTS
	* High Performance Risc X terminal
	* Modular Architecture 
	* Multiple, from 1 to 6, screens
	* Multiple, from 1 to 4, network controllers
	* TCP/IP, DECnet and LAT Compatibility
	* XIE w/CCITT G3 and G4 and JPEG decompression
	* Hardware Pan and Zoom
	* SCSI
	* Plug in options reduce obsolescence

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The MFX600 (Multiple Function X Platform) is a modular, high-performance 
color or gray scale X terminal.  It is based upon a 33 Mhz Intel 80960 
dual-issue, superscaler Risc processor executing an industry-standard, 
event-driven, multitasking operating system, VxWorks (Digital's ELX).  
It is capable of driving multiple screens at frequencies from 60 to 
73 Hz, and resolutions from 1024x768 to 1280x1024 (software selectable).
Additional screens may be added at any time by purchasing a screen upgrade 
kit consisting of a plug-in card, monitor, and a cable. Additional network 
controllers may also be added later by purchasing additional network 
interface cards.  A SCSI option and appropriate disk or other I/O device 
may be purchased later as well.  The modularity of the MFX allows the 
addition enhancements as they are made available.  Enhancements such as
FDDI, HPPI, Token Ring, truecolor, acceleration, and 3D options, imaging 
options and multimedia are being explored.

The MFX was designed with the OEM customer in mind.  Many of its capabilities 
are inherent in the modular design.  It is the intention of the Channels 
organization, which introduced the MFX to DIGITAL, to assist volume customers 
in rapidly customizing the platform to suit unique and/or proprietary needs.
Any customization of the MFX must be balanced against the possible loss of 
generality of the platform: the fact that no other vendor is likely to offer 
the identical functionality is seen by some customers as a liability.  
To those customers we offer the fully consortium conformant X11 R5, and 
extensions as they become available (note that both the Virtual Screen and
multiple descrete screen modes are X conformant).  Conformance is and 
important message, since many extensions to the capabilities of personal
computers are highly vendor specific.  The MFX series of X terminals offer
standard systems with X performance no PC approaches, and general application
performance (when coupled to a suitably fast application host) comparable
to or faster than the fastest workstations.  And, like other X terminals,
the MFX has the potential for securing data which "Windows" platforms
lack.


PRODUCT FEATURES (SOFTWARE)

The X server software is based MIT X11 R5 release.  It may be used in either
Virtual Screen mode or descrete screen mode. In Virtual screen mode the
application treats a multiple screen terminal as a single large screen. i.e.
a 6 screen MFX configured as two rows of 3 screens (or 3 columns of 2 screens)
appears to the application as a single 3840x2048 screen.  Windows may be
opened which fill multiple screens.  Windows may be dragged across screens.
(When used with projectors replacing monitors, the effect is a single
large screen with appropriately higher resolution than single-screen
projection systems).  In Independent Screen mode only the mouse moves across 
screen boundaries and windows opened on a screen stay on that screen.

The X Imaging Extensions (XIE) are available for the MFX.  These include 
JPEG and CCITT G3 and G4 image decompression at the terminal, which 
significantly reduces both network traffic, and loading of both the
processor and I/O system of the client/host.  XIE has a great many other
capabilities which remove image manipulation tasks to the X terminal.

Boot service is provided using NFS, FTP, MOP, or DAP protocols.  Font services
are provided with NFS, FTP, or DAP.  Telnet, rlogin, and CTERM protocols are
supported.  Server-based XDMCP is provided to allow the MFX to boot and
present the user with a "USERNAME" and "PASSWORD" prompt upon powerup, to
replicate the functionality of a local Workstation (while leaving system
management responsibilities to a professional system manager).  

PRODUCT FEATURES (Hardware)

* Two configurations: Mini-Tower and Rackmount 
* Mini-Tower height 15.4", width 7.1", depth 16.3", weight 25 pounds, shipping
  weight (w/ mouse, keyboard and manual) 35 pounds.
*  Rackmount chassic height 8.75", width 17.75" (19" rackmount front panel),
  depth 16", weight 30 pounds, shipping weight 40 pounds.
* System Board: i960CA, 33 MHz.  4 MB DRAM standard, 64 MB maximum (32 MB
  using standard SIMMS on System Board; See 32 MB Memory Expansion Card
  below).  Setup Memory 2 KB NVRAM.  Boot Memory 256 KB EPROM.
* Display Module (frame buffer): 1280x1024, 60 to 72 Hz, 8 bitplanes, hardware
  cursor, RS343 RGB signals, requires 1 long slot.
* Network Interface Card: Ethernet, connectors for 10Base5 AUI and 10Base2
  BNC (thinwire).  requires 1 short slot.
* Memory Expansion Card: 32 MB DRAM. Requires 1 short slot.
* SCSI Interface Card: requires 1 short slot.
* Keyboards: LK401, LK443 (PC Style), standard PC/AT
* Mouse: Standard Digital or Logitek.
* Serial Ports: 2 auxiliary, RS232C, 19.2 Kbaud.
* Input Voltage: 88-132 or 176-264 Vac, 50/60 Hz switch-selectable.
* Power: 150 Watts.
* Regulatory: US UL 1950, FCC Class A; Canada CSA22.2 No 950; Germany 
  TUB/GS-EN60950; International IEC 950
* Monitors: DIGITAL VR320-C, VR320-D, VRT19-D, VRT19-H, VR319-C, VR319-D
  VRT16-D, VRT16-H.

BENEFITS

* All the benefits which come from X terminals and the implicit decoupling
  of the graphics subsystem from a workstation/worksystem: medium to high
  performance, low system management, industry standards conformance, 
  upgradability of the display subsystem independent of the host computer.

* This X terminal is modular, meaning the buyer can expect to add capabilities
  to the MFX as they become available.

* Multiple screens are fully conformant with the X standard, and provide the
  additional screen "real estate" which many customers find extremely
  useful, and sometimes necessary to their application.  The "Virtual Screen"
  capability allows users to run their standard X compliant applications
  with absolutely no modification of their software (since the server:screen
  address is server_name:0).

* Multiple network controllers are used not only in high availability
  applications, but also where the user wants window access to computers
  in separate areas, subnets, or otherwise isolated local area networks.

* XIE is becoming increasingly important to segments of the computer 
community.

THE MARKET

The most active current markets for the MFX are process control, geographic
information systems, and health care.  In process control, we have won, and
been bid by a number of competitors in most railroad switching, a number
of hydro control, petroleum pipeline, chemical process and petroleum process
applications.  The MFX has been chosen for space station control/display
applications, where multiple screens and multiple networks, with the
likelihood of new network interfaces coming in the future.  A common message
in this marketplace is that customers DO NOT WANT TO WORRY ABOUT MANAGING
MORE WORKSTATIONS ON THE NETWORK.  Customers also do not want to have
moving hardware, meaning paging disks or local disks of any sort, at a remote
viewing location where they offer nothing other than maintenance and
reliability problems.

In GIS markets we have been approved and bought by users of geographic 
information systems (for the State of California) running ArcView/ArcInfo
applications, civil defense and dispatch systems for police and emergency
vehicles, and what appears to be a growing market for display stations which
refer to a common geographic data base.  These users DO NOT WANT workstations
which depend upon NFS mounted file systems, when what they need is the 
ability to use a central database which often has many many gigabytes of 
geographic/demographic data.  They prefer to add compute and I/O capability
to the central system while adding X terminals for display.

In medical information systems, for picture archiving and communications
systems, admissions systems, and even patient monitoring systems, X terminals
are generating much interest.  The shortcomings of personal computers of both
Apple and IBM flavors, are becoming increasingly apparent to users and
developers in critical availability environments.  There is also strong 
interest in image processing applications, such as nuclear medicine, MRI,
CAT and radiology applications.  The NIH, for example, has learned the
cost of maintaining multiple workstations, and the cost to their networks,
of over 1000 workstations, many with remote file systems.  This is a 
relatively young market.  But when customers see the performance of the
MFX, and understand the realities of managing a network of distributed 
workstations, sales follow closely behind.

Emerging markets are logistics control systems, CAD, security monitoring, 
and "INFOserver" style image and text display applications (making use of
the SCSI option to access image or text data stored on a CD reader local
to one MFX.  

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING 

While there are several vendors, including DIGITAL with multiple screen
workstations, there is currently no multiple screen X terminal vendor.  There
is no X terminal which allows multiple connections to isolated networks
(multiple rail).  There is no vendor which currently provides the "Virtual
Screen" capability provided by the MFX.  There is no X terminal vendor in 
the industry providing a modular X terminal - a terminal which is designed
to accommodate future enhancements.  While there is likely to be no completely 
satisfactory benchmark criterion for X terminals, the MFX is at or near the
front of the performance curve for X terminals, and likely to stay there
as future enhancements are incorporated.

HOW TO ORDER THE MFX

System Configuration: You need some information from your customer:

	1. How many screens to they want to start with?  _____

	2. What monitor do they want with the MFX?       _____
	   Color: VR320 66 Hz, VR320 72 Hz, VRT19 66 Hz, VRT19 72 Hz,
	    	   VRT16 66 Hz, VRT16 72 Hz, or ...)
		   VRC16 1024 x 768, 72 Hz, VRT13 1024 x 768, 60 Hz...
      	    Monochrome: VR319 66 Hz, VR319 72 Hz...
		   Other monitors upon request.
	3.  What network transport(s) do they require? ________	
	    TCP/IP is included, DECnet, and LAT are options. All
	    can co-exist.

	4.  How many ethernet controllers are required/MFX? __
	    1 comes standard. Up to 4 are supported. 		

	5.  How much memory is desired?  ____
	    Most single and dual screen environments will never use
            more than the basic 4 Megabytes.  For systems 2 screens and
	    larger, 8 Mb is a good idea.  For local pixmap storage, some
	    customers may want to fill the system to its 64 Mb capacity.
	    Recommendation: If it is not hard to order more memory, sell
	    them the minimum and have them log in to the MFX occasionally,
	    into its local-client monitor, and look at memory usage with
	    the "memShow" command.
	
	6.  What keyboard would they like?  __________
            LK401, LK453, ....

	7.  What mouse would they like?     __________
	    Digital Standard VSxxx, Logitek, trackball?

	8.  If the customer desires a SCSI option and disk,
	    what size disk?   ________
	    The default paging disk format has an RT11 format, but is
	    intended to be used as a paging disk, for local temporary 
	    pixmap or data storage.  

	9.  Does the customer want the X Imaging Extensions?  _____
	    The server software for XIE consumes about 300 Kbytes
	    more space than the standard X server.  Image buffers
	    could consume more memory.  While the MFX may perform 
	    adequately without additional memory, it should be 
	    recommended as an option for XIE users.