.
SUPERMICRO 16X MULTIPROCESSOR SYSTEM
.

• Single board computer for each user
• Modular expansion from 1 to 16 users
• CP/M-80f CP/M-86f and MP/M® compatibility
• Dedicated File Processor for disk handling
• 30 to 90 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

.

Diese Seiten fehlen bei den anderen Typen-Beschreibungen und sind nur hier komplett enthalten.
.

.

The Supermicro 16X is a multiuser, multiprocessor microsystem. From one to sixteen users are accommodated, with all processors and peripherals contained within the Supermicro 16X cabinet.

The cabinet contains slots for up to eighteen Application Processors, which communicate with the File Processor (a system "manager" single-board computer) over the m/BUS Interprocessor Link. The n/STAR Network Operating System resides within the File Processor and the Application Processors, providing a CP/M-80 and CP/M-86 compatible software applications environment.

The Supermicro 16X is a second generation version of the original Supermicro 8 concept, providing increased File Processor memory, faster bus transfers, and improved packaging for easier servicing.

The File Processor is a single board computer dedicated to managing the peripherals of the Supermicro 16X, under the control of the n/STAR Network Operating System.

The File Processor controls access to the Winchester-technology hard disk, the floppy disk drive, and optionally, a system printer and tape backup unit.

The File Processor uses a 6 megahertz Z80B microprocessor with 256 kilobytes of 150ns Dynamic Random Access Memory. This memory is accessed using a "sliding window" memory map.

Critical driver and interface routines are loaded into an additional 2 kilobytes of high-speed 120ns static memory for faster execution. The Application Processors request the services of the File Processor using the m/BUS Interprocessor Link.

The Supermicro 16X supports up to 18 Application Processors within the cabinet. An Application Processor is a single or multiple board computer designed to operate as an independent processor that can communicate with the File Processor and with other Application Processors. The Supermicro 16X supports two types of Application Processors: an eight-bit Z80A-based processor, and a 16-bit 8086-based processor.

The 8-bit Application Processor, the AP/80X, is a single board computer designed to support two RS232 serial ports. The AP/80X features a Z80A microprocessor with 64 kilobytes of Dynamic Random Access Memory, switch or software selectable baud rates up to 19.2 kilobits per second, a Z80A SIO supporting two fully configured RS232 serial ports and an m/BUS Interface operating at 400 kilobytes per second.

The AP/80X can be used as a dedicated personal computer with a serial terminal connected to one port (and a local serial printer optionally connected to the other port), or as a shared system resource.

Examples of shared resource uses are spool queue processors, clustered communication controllers, data base servers, and electronic mail gateways. The general-purpose nature of the AP/80X allows connection with Asynchronous, Bisynchronous, and Bit-synchronous (SDLC) devices.
.
The Supermicro 16X can also support one or two AP/86X 16-bit Application Processors, allowing users to run CP/M-86 application programs under n/STAR.

The AP/86X is a shared resource that can be accessed by any user via the m/BUS Interprocessor Link. It consists of an modern 8086 CPU board and from one to four memory boards. Each memory board adds 256 kilobytes of memory capacity to the AP/86X, resulting in a total memory capacity of one megabyte.

All Application Processors run under the control of the n/STAR Network Operating System. Each operates independently and, through n/STAR, uses the m/BUS Interprocessor Link to communicate with the File Processor and other Application Processors.
.

At the heart of the Supermicro 16X architecture is the m/BUS Interprocessor Link. The m/BUS supports high-speed communication between all Application Processors and the File Processor.

The m/BUS is a contention bus design, using a protocol known as "Carrier Sense Multiple Access" with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD). This protocol has no polling or status overhead, and provides an optimal communication path between multiple, independently operating processors. The Supermicro 16X m/BUS is a parallel bus operating at a data rate of 400 kilobytes per second.
.

The Supermicro 16X uses an 8-inch, high-performance Winchester disk drive to provide 30 megabytes of online, formatted disk storage. The n/STAR Network Operating System allows this disk space to be configured into multiple logical disks ranging from 7.6 to 9.8 megabytes each.

The individual Application Processors access the disk by making requests to the File Processor over the high-speed m/BUS Interprocessor Link. Disk capacity can be expanded by adding one or two 30 megabyte disk drives in a separate cabinet, for a total system capacity of up to 90 megabytes.
.

The Supermicro 16X cabinet houses a dual-sided/dual-density 8-inch floppy disk drive with a capacity of one megabyte. The drive can read industry standard diskettes (IBM 3741 compatible). This drive can be used for loading software and for backing up data and software from the Winchester disk drive.
.

The tape unit is housed within the Supermicro 16X cabinet and provides a convenient and reliable backup capability for all software and data on the Winchester disk drives.

n/STAR controls the backup operation onto 20-megabyte tape cartridges, on a file-by-file basis. This method allows a single file or group of files to be restored from the tape, if necessary. The tape unit can be ordered with the system, or can be ordered separately and installed later.
.

The n/STAR Network Operating System is a proprietary operating system designed to take advantage of the Supermicro 16X 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 200-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/80X Application Processors and CP/M-86 for the optional 16-bit AP/86X 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 16X.
.

In addition to n/STAR, the Supermicro 16X 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 a more efficient and productive use of the system.
.

The Supermicro 16X 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.
.

The Supermicro 16X 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.
.

The Supermicro 16X and Application Processors offer a variety of communications capabilities with other microsystems, personal computers, minicomputers, and mainframes. The AP/80X Application Processor supports Asynchronous, Bisynchronous, and SDLC/SNA Communications protocols.

The Supermicro 16X Multiprocessor System is a member of the Supermicro X Series product 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 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.

Molecular Computer - The Supermicro Company
251 River Oaks Parkway San Jose, California 95134 (408) 262-2122
©1983 Molecular Computer
.

.

• Anmerkung : Das sind die publizierten Spezifikatioen. Der Unterschied zum Molecular 8 war das größere Gehäuse und das erheblich vestärkte Netzteil. Die mögliche 8" Festplatte brauchte erheblich mehr Leistung als die kleinen 20 MB Platten im Supermicro 8.

.
CP/M-80, CP/M-86, and MP/M are registered trademarks of Digital Research, Inc. MenuMaster is a trademark of Borland International. Specifications are subject to change without notice.
.