Introduction
The Ultra 5 (A21) is a fairly common workstation class sun4u. This machine has the exact same mainboard as the Ultra_10. The only difference between the two machines is the case (U5: Desktop, U10: Midi-tower) and the supported CPU and memory configurations. When compared to the U10, the smaller case causes a few restrictions with regard to what hardware can be used:
- Only three PCI slots are available (as opposed to four on the U10)
- The UPA slot cannot be used (i.e. no UPA frame buffers as the Creator 3D can be used)
Sun only supports up to 512MB in this machine. The 256/512MB SIMMs can be used, however, if the floppy drive is removed (the limitation is one purely of physical clearance in the case).
Like the U10, it differs from earlier Ultras in that it is designed to use more generic PC style parts such as IDE and PCI instead of SCSI and SBUS.
The small mystery slot on the front of the case is for a PCMCIA addon, but these are quite rare.
Linux Notes: This machine works pretty well under Linux, but as a result of its low-grade IDE controller, DMA almost never works properly, and you'll almost definitely want to disable it for stability.
Installation Note: On every single Ultra 5 I have installed Linux over Solaris, I have had to completely power down after the install.
The Aurora Project has access to an Ultra 5 for testing purposes.
Tested Configurations
Aurora Version |
Configuration |
Remarks |
Reporter |
1.0 |
400MHz UltraSPARC-IIi, Raptor_GFX-8P framebuffer, 256MB RAM |
Worked nicely as a workstation, but you need to use the XFree 3.3.6 drivers for the Raptor. Also, the installer does not fully support the Raptor (colours go all funny) |
|
1.0, 1.92 |
440MHz UltraSPARC-IIi, ATI 3D Rage Pro 215GP(?) video, 384MB RAM |
Never really used the video (headless over serial). Otherwise works fine. (Unsupported CPU is nice.) |
|
2.0 |
CPU: 333MHz UltraSPARC II, RAM: 256MB, Serial console, host: bluegill |
testing, but working fine thus far (headless) |
Detailed Specifications
(NOTE: These are the officially supported specifications - other hardware combinations may be possible but are not supported by Sun - see also Sun's System Handbook: Ultra 5 Workstation)
CPU Architecture |
270, 333, 360, 400 or 440-MHz UltraSPARC-IIi |
Cache Memory |
16-KB instruction cache, 16-KB data cache |
|
256-KB external for 270-MHz and 360-MHz processors |
|
2 MB external for 333-MHz , 400-MHz and 440-Mhz processors |
Main Memory |
Four DIMM slots |
|
Install DIMMs in pairs (16 MB, 32 MB, 64 MB, and 128 MB DIMMs) |
|
512 MB maximum supported |
Memory Type |
50ns 5V EDO 168-pin JEDEC DIMMs, ECC error-correction |
Standard Interfaces |
|
Audio |
Four audio ports: headphone(out), line-in, line-out and microphone(in) using EIA standard 0.125-inch (3.5-mm) jacks |
Ethernet |
One ethernet/fast ethernet (10BASE-T/100BASE-T) twisted-pair standard connector (RJ-45), self-sensing |
Graphics |
One graphics port (HD15), onboard 8- or 24-bit frame buffer |
Keyboard/Mouse |
One standard keyboard/mouse port (mini DIN-8) |
Parallel |
One IEEE 1284 (bidirectional) parallel port (DB25) |
PCI |
Three 32-bit PCI slots, two full-size, one short, 33 MHz, 5 volt |
Serial |
One synchronous/asynchronous serial port (DB25); one asynchronous serial port (DB9) |
Storage |
|
Disks |
One 4.3/8.4 GB (5400 rpm) or 9.1/20.4 GB (7200 rpm), 3.5- in. Enhanced IDE HDD |
|
Note: You can install a second disk if you remove the floppy and use the PCMCIA drive bay. |
One 3.5-in. 1.44-MB floppy |
|
CDROM |
One 24X-, 32X-, or 48X-speed CD-ROM |
PCMCIA |
One front-access bay for third-party aftermarket options |
Environmentals |
|
AC input |
90 - 132 VAC or 180 - 264 VAC (switch selectable), 47 - 63 Hz, 3 A (max), 0.3 KVA |
Input Power |
286 Watts |
Heat output |
976 BTU/hr |
Temperature |
Operating: 5°C to 35°C (41°F to 95°F) |
|
Nonoperating: -20°C to 60°C (4°F to 140°F) |
Humidity |
Operating: 40% to 80% relative humidity, noncondensing |
|
Nonoperating: 30% to 90% relative humidity, noncondensing |
Altitude |
Operating: 3000 m (10,000 ft) |
|
Nonoperating: 12,000 m (40,000 ft) |
Acoustic noise |
Operating: 5.2 bels |
|
Idling: 5.1 bels |
Power |
U.S. NEMA 5-15P |
Regulations |
Meets or exceeds the following requirements: |
Safety |
UL 1950, CSA C22.2 No. 950, TUV EN 60950, CB Scheme with Nordic deviations, EMKO-TSE(74-SEC) 203, ZH1/618 |
RFI/EMI |
FCC Class B, DOC Class B, VCCI Class 2, EN 55022 Class B, EN 61000-3-2 |
Immunity |
EN 50082-1 |
X-ray |
DHHS 21 Subchapter J; PTB German X-ray Decree |
Power management |
Energy Star compliant |
Dimensions |
|
Height |
11.2 cm (4.4 in.) |
Width |
43.6 cm (17.1 in.) |
Depth |
43.0 cm (16.9 in.) |
Weight |
18.0 kg (39.6 lb.) |