sgistuff.net : Hardware : Systems : IRIS 1000 (original) (raw)
IRIS 1000
Introduction
General
The 1000 and 1200 computers used a Motorola 68000 microprocessor clocked at 8 Mhz and were sold as diskless systems intended for use as a terminal. The 1400 and 1500 had 10 MHz Motorola 68010 microprocessor, 1.5 MB of RAM and did support ST-506 or SMD drives. The mainboard in the IRIS 1x00 machines was Licensed from Andy Bechtolsheim, Stanford University before Sun was founded. It is used in two variants: PM1 in 1000/1200 and PM2 in 1400/1500.
An old message turned up by Google clarifies the difference between IRIS 1000 (terminals) and IRIS 1400 (workstations) and even contains some information on pricing:
Date: Thu, 9 Aug 84 17:36:18 pdt From: olympus!craig (Craig Olson) Message-Id: 8408100036.AA23238@olympus.UUCP Subject: 40% Discount On GRAPHICS UNIX WORKSTATIONS
Silicon Graphics, Inc. has agreed to a 40% Educational Discount on all computer products purchased by accredited universities prior to September 30, 1984. A 45% ARPA Discount is offered at universities for ARPA contracts which fulfill certain require- ments.
With the 40% discount, the price of an IRIS 1000 Terminal and an IRIS 1400 Workstation is 22,500and22,500 and 22,500and35,700, respectively. The IRIS 1400 includes a stand-alone, 68010-based UNIX environment (System V with 4.2 BSD enhancements such as demand paging), real-time 3D color graphics using the Geometry Engine, and Ether- net with IP/TCP or XNS protocols. The Geometry Engine, a custom VLSI graphics processor developed under an ARPA contract at Stan- ford, performs over six million geometric floating point opera- tions per second.
The IRIS 1400 comes standard with 1.5 MB of CPU memory, 8 bit- planes of 1024x1024 image memory, and a 72 MB Winchester disk and controller. Options include additional CPU and image memory, a floating point accelerator, and large capacity disk and tape sys- tems.
For additional information or to set up a demonstration, contact Silicon Graphics in Mountain View, California (415/960-1980), or one of the following regional sales and service offices: Central Region (313/478-5446); Southern Region (214/788-4122); Northeastern Region (617/863-8670).
Craig Olson Product Manager Silicon Graphics, Inc.
Models
The following table includes a list of models which are listed by the SGI IRIS FAQ.
| Model | Type | CPU | Graphics | Disk | Chassis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRIS 1000 | Terminal | PM1 | IRIS Graphics | none | 10-slot |
| IRIS 1200 | Terminal | PM1 | IRIS Graphics | none | 10-slot |
| IRIS 1400 | Workstation | PM2 | IRIS Graphics | ST-506 (72MB) | 20-slot |
| IRIS 1500 | Workstation | PM2 | IRIS Graphics | SMD (474MB) | rackmount? |
History
The IRIS 1000 were first shipped around November 1983.
Processor
The following table includes a list of CPU boads associated with the IRIS 1000 line of terminals and workstations:
| CPU Board | Procesor | Clockspeed |
|---|---|---|
| PM1 | Motorola 68000 | 8 MHz |
| PM2 | Motorola 68010 | 10 MHz |
The PM1 board was licensed from Andy Bechtolsheim, Stanford University, before Sun was founded.
Memory
Graphics
Other
Options
- Excelan EXOS/101 Ethernet board
- Qualogy DSD 5217 ST-506/QIC-02
- Interphase 2190 SMD
- Peripherals: Dials and Buttons
Chassis
10-slot
The IRIS 1000 electronics cabinet including the narrow 10 slot backplane has the following dimensions:
width: 25,4 cm / 10" height: 53,6 cm / 21" depth: 68,6 cm / 27"
weight: 45,4 kg / 100 lbs
This model does not have any provisions for the internal installation a drive.
20-slot
The IRIS 1200/1400 electronics cabinet including the wider 20 slot backplane has the following dimensions:
width: 45,7 cm / 18" height: 73,6 cm / 29" depth: 68,6 cm / 27"
weight: 90,7 kg / 200 lbs
A boot floppy may be installed into this chassis there is also space for a harddisk which is installed in the IRIS 1400 workstation.
Specials
Problems
Operating System
Choosing an operating system.
The IRIS systems run the GL2 operating system which predates IRIX. The IRIS 1000 models are supported by GL2 Release 1 and GL2 Release 2. The last version to support any IRIS 1000 model is 2.3.
DIP Switches
What is the meaning of the DIP Switches?
The following is an explanation of the termials DIP switches (0 open / 1 closed):
| Switch | Name | Setting | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reserved | 0 | Leave open |
| 2-3 | Serial Line | 11 10 01 00 | 300 baud 19200 baud 1200 baud 9600 baud |
| 4 | Checkout | 0 1 | Additional testing No additional testing |
| 5-9 | Boot environment | 11111 11011 10111 10011 11001 | Floppy disk boot Network boot PROM Monitor Serial line boot IEEE-488 boot |
Parts
Pictures
Links
Websites
- SGI IRIS FAQ [local mirror]
Videos
- archive.org - a video that includes a presentation of an IRIS computer (from ~1984).