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Ross Technology Unveils Entry-Level SS-5 Multiprocessing Upgrade Kit December 23, 1996, 8:02 AM EST
Begins Two-For-One Offer for 100 MHz HyperSPARC(TM) CPUs
AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Extending the benefits of the SPARC(TM) Version 8 architecture at the greatest possible value to SPARC users worldwide, ROSS Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: RTEC) today announced an Entry-Level SS-5 Multiprocessing Upgrade Kit, a specially priced ROSS hyperSTATION(TM) motherboard with twin processors, available for a limited time, for owners of the popular SPARCstation(TM) 5 systems from Sun Microsystems Computer Company. This entry-level configuration improves performance as much as 150 percent.
In addition, the company also announced a Two-for-One CPU Special Offer on 100 MHz hyperSPARC microprocessors on the SS-5 Upgrade Kit, fulfilling the need for improved performance (up to 5X that of the SS5 Model 70, and up to 2X that of the SPARCstation 20 Model 71) and multiprocessing by end-users. "The Entry-Level SS-5 Multiprocessing Upgrade Kit and Two-for-One CPU Offer deliver unprecedented value for users of Sun's most popular workstation systems and servers," said Roger D. Ross, President, CEO and Chairman of ROSS Technology. "The primary benefits of the SPARC Version 8 architecture -- scalability and extensibility -- have never before been as affordable, to as many end-users, as they are today."
According to International Data Corp., Framingham, Mass., worldwide sales of SPARC-based workstations and servers increased from 133,000 units in 1990 to 357,000 units in 1995, a 21 percent compound annual growth rate. IDC estimates that total sales of SPARC-based systems exceeded $5.4 billion in 1995. As of the end of 1995, the installed base of SPARC-based workstations and servers approximated 1.6 million units, including some 236,000 SPARCstation 5 systems.
Entry-Level SS-5 Multiprocessing Upgrade Kit
The upgrade kits from ROSS enable users of SPARCstation 5 systems, in just ten minutes, to transform their workstations to multiprocessing-capable systems, simply by replacing the system's motherboard with a hyperSTATION motherboard from ROSS. According to the company, many owners purchased SS-5 systems for entry-level SPARC compatibility, but have now discovered that as their needs changed, they need higher performance and upgradeability. The Entry-Level SS-5 Multiprocessing Upgrade Kit is configured with twin reconditioned 40 MHz SuperSPARC processors, 32MB of memory, and has a 40 MHz MBus bandwidth. An optional configuration is available with a single 90 MHz hyperSPARC CPU. By conserving the chassis, power supply, hard drive and peripherals, users preserve much of the original hardware investment while upgrading to higher-performing processors.
The hyperSTATION motherboard provides two MBus slots to support up to four microprocessors, four SBus slots, an optional ISDN interface and 16-bit stereo audio.
The MBus specification, released in March 1991 as part of the SPARC International specification for Version 8 of the SPARC architecture, was jointly developed by ROSS Technology and Sun Microsystems. It details interconnection of the microprocessor with main memory and I/O devices, specifies a form factor enabling field upgrade to higher performing microprocessors, and includes a precise memory model specification, providing portability for multiprocessor applications.
Pricing and Availabilty
The Entry-Level SS-5 Multiprocessing Upgrade Kit with twin 40 MHz SuperSPARC CPUs is available while CPU supplies last for a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $1,995. The hyperSTATION motherboard has a one-year warranty, and the SuperSPARC CPUs have a 90-day warranty.
The 90 MHz hyperSPARC-based SS-5 Upgrade Kit (2X the single CPU performance of the 40 MHz SuperSPARC) is immediately available for a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $2,575. With dual 100 MHz hyperSPARC processors, the suggested retail price for a 60 MHz MBus SS-5 Upgrade Kit is $3,820. Other configurations, including quad-processor kits, are available. These kits have a one-year warranty, and come with 32MB of ROSS-certified memory.
The hyperSTATION motherboards and hyperSPARC microprocessors, like all ROSS products, maintain absolute compliance with SPARC standards, including SPARC SCD, SPARC Version 8 Architecture, and Level 2 (multiprocessing) MBus. In addition, the Solaris(R) 1.1.2 (SunOS(R) 4.1.4), 2.3, 2.4 as well as the Solaris 2.5 operating systems are fully qualified on hyperSPARC and supported directly by SunSoft(R).
Further information is available on the company's Worldwide Web site at ross.com, via e-mail to info@ross.com, or via telephone at 800-ROSS-YES. International customers may call for more information to 512/349-3108, or via fax to 512/349-3101.
ROSS Overview
ROSS Technology, incorporated in 1988, is a majority-owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited. A minority position in ROSS is held by Sun Microsystems, Inc. As of September 30, 1996, the Company's outstanding Common Stock was held 60 percent by Fujitsu, 5 percent by Sun, and 35 percent by employees and the public. The Company's objective is to drive SPARC, the industry's highest-volume reduced instruction set computing architecture, to increased performance leadership and market share. ROSS is one of the industry's most prominent suppliers of SPARC microprocessors and SPARC system products to both the OEM and end-user markets.
ROSS and the ROSS logo are registered trademarks, and hyperSTATION is a trademark of ROSS Technology, Inc.
All SPARC trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARC International. hyperSPARC is licensed exclusively to ROSS Technology, Inc. Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based upon an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. SPARCstation, SPARCserver and SuperSPARC are licensed exclusively to Sun Microsystems, Inc. Solaris, SunSoft and SunOS are registered trademarks of Sun Microsysterns, Inc. All other products or service names herein are trademarks of their respective owners. SOURCE Ross Technology, Inc.
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