SUPERMICRO 8™ EIGHT-USER MULTIPROCESSOR SYSTEM
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SUPERMICRO 8 MULTIPROCESSOR SYSTEM
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- Single board computer for each user
- Modular expansion from 1 to 8 users
- CP/M-80f CP/M-86f and MP/M® compatibility
- Dedicated File Processor for disk handling
- 10 to 45 megabytes of formatted hard disk storage
- 8" floppy disk drive (IBM 3741 compatible)
- n/STAR™ Network Operating System
- MenuMaster™ Menu Development Software
- Optional tape backup unit
- Optional 16-bit processing capability
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The Supermicro 8 cabinet
The Supermicro 8 system is a high-performance, low-cost general purpose microcomputer system. It provides each of up to eight users with a dedicated personal computer (called an Application Processor).
All Application Processors are centrally located in the Supermicro 8 cabinet. Each user's Application Processor is interconnected to all others by the m/BUS™ Inter-processor Link, which also provides high-speed access to shared disks, printers, and other peripherals.
The n/STAR Network Operating System software provides the ability to share data files and is CP/M-80 and CP/M-86 compatible. The combination of the m/BUS Interprocessor Link and the n/STAR Network Operating System provides the equivalent of a Local Area Network (LAN) within the system cabinet.
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.... the tape, if necessary. The tape unit can be ordered with the system, or ordered separately and installed later.
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n/STAR NETWORK OPERATING SYSTEM
The n/STAR Network Operating System is a proprietary operating system designed to take advantage of the Supermicro 8 hardware architecture.
n/STAR is responsible for controlling access to the Winchester disks and other system peripherals and for providing a CP/M-80 or CP/M-86 compatible environment in individual Application Processors.
A portion of n/STAR resides in the File Processor, handling Application Processor requests for disk input and output. n/STAR maintains a 32 kilobyte buffer area, used for maintaining "hashed" directory pointer information and a disk "buffer pool".
The hashed directory greatly speeds disk directory lookup and update operations. The least recently used (LRU) disk buffer pool maintains the most frequently used disk data in "cache" memory for high speed access.
Other portions of the n/STAR Operating System reside in the Application Processors, providing a CP/M-80 or CP/M-86 compatible environment for application software (CP/M-80 for the 8-bit AP/80 Application Processors and CP/M-86 for the optional 16-bit AP/86 Application Processor).
In addition to this compatibility n/STAR provides additional enhancements that allow concurrent file sharing using the MP/M standards for file and record locking and provides for interprocessor communications using standard MP/M Queue Calls.
n/STAR provides a comprehensive security system featuring system and user passwords, private and common user files, and event logging. n/STAR provides print spooling and despooling facilities, logical device assignments, and diagnostic facilities. The n/STAR Network Operating System is included with the Supermicro 8 system.
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MenuMaster - THE HUMAN INTERFACE
In addition to n/STAR, the Supermicro 8 includes the software package MenuMaster. MenuMaster is a powerful menu-driven facility that provides a simple and secure interface to the user. MenuMaster is used to create user prompts, HELP screens, and Job Control strings that help minimize training time and result in more efficient and productive use of the system.
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DOCUMENTATION
The Supermicro 8 comes with extensive system documentation describing the installation and operation of the system. Separate manuals for CP/M-80 and MenuMaster are provided.
A hardware maintenance manual is also available. All manuals feature step-by-step instructions and extensive use of examples, designed to make the Supermicro 8 easy to install and use.
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APPLICATIONS
The Supermicro 8 is a general purpose microsystem that will fill your office computing needs. CP/M-80 and CP/M-86 software is available for all types of applications: word processors, spreadsheets, accounting systems, and electronic mail are examples of horizontal software packages that can be used. Vertical software packages for dental offices, clinics, law firms, and other specialized fields have been developed for
CP/M-compatible systems.
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COMMUNICATIONS
The Supermicro 8 and Application Processors offer a variety of communications capabilities with other microsystems, personal computers, minicomputers, and mainframes. Various Application Processors support Asynchronous, Bisynchronous, and SDLC/SNA Communications protocols.
THE SUPERMICRO 8-A POWERFUL MICROSYSTEM
The Supermicro 8 Multiprocessor System is the lowest-priced model in the Supermicro family. This series of general purpose microsystems offers modular expansion, high performance and high quality at a low system and per-user cost.
The networked architecture allows the creation of new Application Processors as technology changes or as new functions are required. The compatibility with industry standard operating systems assures software availability.
MOLECULAR COMPUTER - THE COMPANY
Molecular Computer is a leading supplier of multiuser microsystems. Molecular Computer's products exemplify its commitment to high quality and reliability. The company's products are supported by a worldwide sales and distribution network, and by a nationwide service and maintenance organization.
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