SPARC architecture

[theEclipse]

Hello,

First off, this is the best forum I could find to put this thread in as there are no "general architecture" forums.

I am beginning the process of converting my computing world away from windows -- for a various number of reasons (but mainly because I dont want to have to install 1Gb of ram just to run vista).

I have looked at and run Fedora for some time now but just now (after seeing that sun is releasing new SPARC servers....) I got to thinking back to my computer architecture class and wondering how feasible it is to build a solaris workstation.

For one, where do you buy the parts? Newegg.com has always been my primary computer parts store but they dont even acknowledge the presence of Sun in the processor market.

Next, I notice that the processor speed is considerably less than that of AMD or Intel's windows focused products. How do SUNs processors compare in terms of power (taking into account FLOPS, ect.)?

Last, I see on SUN's website a PC coprocessor card.

http://www.sun.com/desktop/products/sunpcipro/

It says its for interfacing with the PC world. This makes me think that the SPARC architecture is not going to be compatible with things like my printer and mouse, ect. That seems absurd to me, whats up with this?

Robert Carpenter
"Disobedience to conscience is voluntary; bad poetry, on the other hand, is usually not made on purpose." - C.S. Lewis (Preface to Paradise Lost)
ô¿ô

http://www.robertcarpenter.net

 

[kHz]

You cannot compare SPARC and AMD/Intel chips. That is RISC vs CISC architecture.

You can go with the SunPCI card that will allow you to keep all of your Windows applications (Office, etc.) and also run Windows XP (or whatever version) on your Sun Workstation.

 

[mrn]

Download the x386 version of Solaris 10. It's a free download from Sun and you can use your current hardware. Should you wish to use sparc ebay is a good source of 2nd user kit. If you want real power take a look at the alpha architecture used by Tru64.

Mike

"A foolproof method for sculpting an elephant: first, get a huge block of marble, then you chip away everything that doesn't look like an elephant."

http://www.airport-parking-site.co.uk/

 

[coffeysm]

KhZ makes very valid points you can not compare CISC vs. RISC. SPARC workstations can be pretty pricey even off Ebay, and odds are you would end up getting the old Ultra Models. You can download the X86 version of Solaris or if afford it buy your servers directly from Sun. They ship out PC's with AMD I believe that is guarnteed to work with their OS.

 

[AndrewTait]

Sun are pretty tight on who they let build Sun Clones. The best known is Tadpole, who make a number of small Solaris/Sparc based machines including laptops. However, they are pretty pricy.

Enjoy!

Andy

So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains
And we never even know we have the key

 

[Annihilannic]

There's also Fujitsu....?

Annihilannic.