Computer system
Parts of this article (those related to current support status (dated to c. 2012, etc. currently)) need to be updated . Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (March 2020 )
AlphaServer Developer DEC (1994-1998)Compaq (1998-2002)HP (2002-2007)Type Server Release date 1994 (1994 ) Discontinued 27 April 2007 (27 April 2007 ) CPU DEC Alpha
AlphaServer 1000A
Inside a DEC AlphaServer 1000A
Alphaserver 1000A CPU board
AlphaServer 2100A
AlphaServer is a series of server computers , produced from 1994 onwards by Digital Equipment Corporation , and later by Compaq and HP . AlphaServers were based on the DEC Alpha 64-bit microprocessor . Supported operating systems for AlphaServers are Tru64 UNIX (formerly Digital UNIX), OpenVMS , MEDITECH MAGIC[ 1] and Windows NT (on earlier systems, with AlphaBIOS ARC firmware), while enthusiasts have provided alternative operating systems such as Linux , NetBSD , OpenBSD and FreeBSD .
The Alpha processor was also used in a line of workstations , AlphaStation .
Some AlphaServer models were rebadged in white enclosures as Digital Servers for the Windows NT server market. These so-called "white box" models comprised the following:
Digital Server 3300/3305 : rebadged AlphaServer 800
Digital Server 5300/5305 : rebadged AlphaServer 1200
Digital Server 7300/7305/7310 : rebadged AlphaServer 4100
As part of the roadmap to phase out Alpha-, MIPS - and PA-RISC -based systems in favor of Itanium-based systems at HP, the most recent AlphaServer systems reached their end of general availability on 27 April 2007. The availability of upgrades and options was discontinued on 25 April 2008, approximately one year after the systems were discontinued. Support for the most recent AlphaServer systems, the DS15A, DS25, ES45, ES47, ES80 and GS1280 is being provided by HP Services as of 2008. These systems are no longer supported by HP.
Models
In approximate chronological order, the following AlphaServer models were produced:
Avanti Family
Model
Code name
# of CPUs
CPU
CPU MHz
B-cache
Chipset
Max. Memory
Expansion
Enclosure
Introduced
Discontinued
200
4/100
Mustang
1
21064 (EV4)
100
512 KB
21071
8 to 384 MB
1 PCI 1 or 2 PCI/ISA 1 ISA
Desktop
?
?
4/166
166
?
?
4/233
21064A (EV45)
233
?
?
400
4/166
Mustang S
1
21064 (EV4)
166
512 KB
21071
8 to 384 MB (6x 72-pin SIMMs, 3 banks)
2 PCI 1 PCI/ISA 3 ISA
Mini-tower
?
?
4/233
21064A (EV45)
233
?
?
300
4/266
Melmac
1
21064A (EV45)
266
2 MB
21072
512 MB (8x 72-pin SIMMs, 2 banks)
1 PCI 1 PCI/ISA 1 ISA
Desktop or Rack
?
?
Sable Family
Model
Code name
# of CPUs
CPU
CPU MHz
B-cache
Chipset
Memory
Expansion
Enclosure
Introduced
Discontinued
2100
4/200
Sable
1, 2, 3 or 4
21064 (EV4)
200
1 MB / CPU
?
2 GB (1 GB if 4 CPU)
3 PCI, 8 EISA
Pedestal or rack
?
?
4/233
Sable45
21064A (EV45)
233
1 MB / CPU
?
?
?
4/275
275
4 MB / CPU
?
?
?
5/250
Gamma-Sable
21164 (EV5)
250
4 MB / CPU
?
?
?
5/300
291
?
?
?
5/375
21164A (EV56)
375
?
?
?
2000
4/200
Demi-Sable
1 or 2
21064 EV4
190
1 MB / CPU
?
640 MB
3 PCI, 7 EISA, 1 PCI/EISA
Pedestal
?
?
4/233
Demi-Sable45
21064A (EV45)
233
1 MB / CPU
?
1 GB
3 PCI, 7 EISA
?
?
4/275
275
4 MB / CPU
?
?
?
5/250
Demi-Gamma
21164 (EV5)
250
4 MB / CPU
?
?
?
5/300
291
?
?
?
5/375
21164A (EV56)
375
4 or 8 MB / CPU
?
?
?
The AlphaServer 2100 was briefly sold as the Digital 2100 before the AlphaServer brand was introduced.
Mikasa Family
Model
Code name
# of CPUs
CPU
CPU MHz
B-cache
Chipset
Memory
Expansion
Enclosure
Introduced
Discontinued
1000
4/200
Mikasa
1
21064 (EV4)
200
2 MB
210712
512 MB
2 PCI, 1 PCI/EISA, 7 EISA
Pedestal or Rack
?
?
4/233
Mikasa+
21064A (EV45)
233
210712
?
1995
?
4/266
266
210712
1 GB (20× 72-pin SIMMs, 4 banks)1
?
?
5/300
Mikasa-Pinnacle
21164 (EV5)
300
?
?
?
^1 Each bank contained five SIMMs. The initial four SIMMs were used for data; the fifth SIMM was used for ECC.^2 AlphaServer 1000 Service Guide EK-DTLSV-SV. B01, page 5-2
Noritake Family
Model
Code name
# of CPUs
CPU
CPU MHz
B-cache
Chipset
Memory
Expansion
Enclosure
Introduced
Discontinued
1000A
4/233
Noritake
1
21064A (EV45)
233
2 MB
210712
1 GB (20x 72-pin SIMMs, 4 banks)1
7 PCI 2 ISA
Pedestal or Rack
?
?
4/266
266
210712
?
?
5/300
Noritake-Pinnacle
21164 (EV5)
300
?
?
?
5/333
333
211712
?
?
5/400
Noritake-Primo
21164A (EV56)
400
211712
?
?
5/500
500
8 MB
?
1997-04-14[ 2]
?
800
5/333
Corelle
1
21164A (EV56)
333
2 MB
211713
2 GB (8x ECC EDO DIMMs, 2 banks)3
3 PCI 2 EISA 1 PCI-X/EISA3
Mini-tower (can be converted to Rack )
1997-04-14[ 2]
?
5/400
400
211713
?
5/500
500
211713
1997-10-27[ 3]
?
^1 5 modules per bank, 5th module used for ECC, later 1000A 5/500 systems have 16 slots, 4 modules with ECC per bank^2 AlphaServer 1000A Technical Summary, page 6^3 AlphaServer 800 Service Guide EK–ASV80–SG. A01
Rawhide Family
Model
Code name
# of CPUs
CPU
CPU MHz
B-cache / CPU
Chipset
Memory
Expansion
Enclosure
Introduced
Discontinued
4000
5/300
Wrangler/Durango
Up to two
21164 (EV5)
300
2 MB
?
4 GB
8-16 PCI (including 3 shared PCI/EISA)
Pedestal/Rack
1996-09-04[ 4]
?
5/400
21164A (EV56)
400
4 MB
?
?
5/466
466
4 MB
?
?
?
5/533
533
4 MB
?
1997-10-27[ 3]
?
5/600
600
8 MB
?
?
?
4100
5/300E
Dodge
Up to four
21164 (EV5)
300
None
Custom
32 MB to 8 GB
5 PCI, 3 PCI/EISA
Pedestal/Rack
?
?
5/300
300
2 MB
?
?
5/400
21164A (EV56)
400
4 MB
?
?
5/466
466
?
?
5/533
533
?
?
5/600
600
8 MB
?
?
1200
5/400
Tincup
Up to two
21164A (EV56)
400
4 MB / proc.
?
4 GB
4 PCI-X, 1 PCI, 1PCI-X/EISA
Pedestal
1997-10-27[ 3]
?
5/533
533
?
?
Turbolaser Family
Model
Code name
# of CPUs
CPU
CPU MHz
B-cache / CPU
Chipset
Memory
Expansion
Enclosure
Introduced
Discontinued
8200
5/300
TurboLaser
2 to 6
EV5
300
4 MB
Custom ASICs
12 GB
132 PCI slots, 8 EISA slots
Rack
1995-04-11
?
5/350
350
?
?
5/440
EV56
437
4 MB
?
?
5/625
612
?
?
8400
5/300
TurboLaser
Up to 12 (later 14)
EV5
300
4 MB
Custom ASICs
28 GB
144 PCI, 8 EISA, XMI
Cabinet
1995-04-11
?
5/350
350
?
?
5/440
EV56
437
4 MB
?
?
5/625
612
?
?
GS60
6/525
TL6
2 to 6
EV6
525
4 MB
?
12 GB
132 PCI, 8 EISA
Rack
1998-10-19[ 5]
?
6/700
EV67
700
8 MB
?
1999-11-11
?
GS60E
6/525
TL6
2 to 6 (later 8)
EV6
525
4 MB
?
12 GB
132 PCI, 8 EISA
Rack
1999-07-19
?
6/700
EV67
700
8 MB
?
1999-11-11
?
GS140
6/525
TL6
2 to 14
EV6
525
4 MB
?
28 GB
144 PCI, 8 EISA, 24 XMI
Cabinet
1998-10-19[ 5]
?
6/700
EV67
700
8 MB
?
1999-11-11
?
Lynx Family
Model
Code name
# of CPUs
CPU
CPU MHz
B-cache
Chipset
Memory
Expansion
Enclosure
Introduced
Discontinued
2000A
Demi-Lynx (EV45), Demi-Gamma-Lynx (EV5)
Up to two
EV45, EV5 or EV56
233, 250, 275, 300, 375, 400
?
?
?
?
Pedestal
?
?
2100A
4/275
Lynx
Up to 4
21064A (EV45)
275
4 MB
?
2 GB, 1 GB for 4 CPU
8 PCI, 3 EISA
Pedestal
?
?
5/250
Gamma-Lynx
21164 (EV5)
250
4 MB
?
?
?
5/300
300
?
?
?
5/375
375
8 MB
?
?
?
Tsunami Family
Model
Code name
# of CPUs
CPU
CPU MHz
B-cache
Chipset
Memory
Expansion
Enclosure
Introduced
Discontinued
DS10
6/466
WebBrick
1
EV6
466
2 MB
21272 (Tsunami) [ 6]
2 GB
3 PCI-X, 1 PCI
desktop
1999-05-10
?
67/600
EV67
600
2 MB
21272 (Tsunami)
?
?
DS10L
6/466
Slate
1
EV6
466
2 MB
21272 (Tsunami) [ 6]
1 GB
1 PCI-X
Rack (1U)
?
?
6/600
EV67
600
2 MB
21272 (Tsunami)
2000-04-10[ 7]
?
DS20
6/500
Goldrush
Up to 2
21264 (EV6)
500
4 MB
?
4 GB
5PCI-X, 1 PCI-X/ISA
pedestal/Rack
1999-01-02[ 8] [ 9] [ 10]
?
DS20E
6/500
Goldrack
Up to 2
EV6
500
4 MB
21272 (Tsunami) [ 6]
4 GB
5PCI-X, 1 PCI-X/ISA
pedestal/Rack
?
?
6/667
EV67
667
8 MB
21272 (Tsunami)
2000-04-10[ 7]
?
68/833
EV68AL
833
8 MB
?
2001-07-16
?
DS20L
68/833
Shark
2
EV68AL
833
4 MB
21271(Tsunami)
2 GB
2 PCI-X
Rack (1U)
2001-07-16
?
ES40
6/500
Clipper
Up to 4
EV6
500
4 MB
21272(Tsunami/Typhoon)[ 11]
Model 1: 16 GB Model 2: 32 GB[ 12]
Model 1: 6 PCI-X Model 2: 10 PCI-X
pedestal/Rack
1999-04-22[ 8] [ 13] [ 14]
?
6/667
EV67
667
8 MB
21272(Tsunami/Typhoon)[ 15]
2000-04-10[ 7]
?
68/833
EV68AL
833
8 MB
?
2001-02-12
?
Titan Family
Model
Code name
# of CPUs
CPU
CPU MHz
B-cache
Chipset
Memory
Expansion
Enclosure
Introduced
Discontinued
DS15
68/1000
HyperBrick
1
EV68CB
1000
2 MB
?
4 GB
4 PCI-X 33 MHz or 2 PCI-X 66 MHz
Tower
2003-10-20
2007-04-27
DS25
68/1000
Granite
Up to 2
EV68CB
1000
8 MB
?
16 GB
6 PCI-X
Tower/5U Rack
2002-08-04[ 16]
?
ES45
68/1000
Privateer
Up to 4
EV68CB
1000
8 MB
?
1: Up to 16 GB 2: Up to 32 GB
1: AGP 4x, 6 PCI-X 2: 10 PCI-X
Pedestal/8U Rack , tower
?
?
68/1250
1250
16 MB
?
2002-08-04[ 16]
?
Wildfire Family
Model
Code name
# of CPUs
CPU
CPU MHz
B-cache
Chipset
Memory
Expansion
Enclosure
Introduced
Discontinued
GS80
Wildfire
Model 4: 2 to 4 Model 8: 2 to 8
21264A (EV67)
731
4 MB
Custom
Up to 64 GB
33 MHz PCI-X : Up to 16 buses, 56 slots
Rack
2000-05-16[ 17]
?
21264C (EV68CB)
1001
4, 8 MB
?
?
1224
4, 8, 16 MB
2002-08-04[ 16]
?
GS160
Wildfire
Model 8: 2 to 8 Model 16: 2 to 16
21264A (EV67)
731
4 MB
Custom
Up to 128 GB
33 MHz PCI-X: Up to 32 buses, 112 slots
Rack(s)
2000-05-16[ 17]
?
21264C (EV68CB)
1001
4, 8 MB
?
?
1224
4, 8, 16 MB
2002-08-04[ 16]
?
GS320
Wildfire
Model 24: 2 to 24 Model 32: 2 to 32
21264A (EV67)
731
4 MB
Custom
Up to 256 GB
33 MHz PCI-X: Up to 64 buses, 224 slots
Rack(s)
2000-05-16[ 17]
?
21264C (EV68CB)
1001
4, 8 MB
?
?
1224
4, 8, 16 MB
2002-08-04[ 16]
?
AlphaServer SC
Model
Code name
# of CPUs
CPU
CPU MHz
B-cache
Chipset
Max. Memory
Expansion
Enclosure
Introduced
Discontinued
SC20 68/833
?
8 to 256
21264B EV68AL
833
2 MB
?
2 GB/node
2 PCI-X
Rack(s)
2002-05-02[ 18]
?
SC40 67/667
Sierra
64 to 512
21264A EV67
667
8 MB
?
24 GB/node
10 PCI-X
Rack(s)
1999-11-17[ 19]
?
SC40 68/833
21264B EV68AL
833
?
?
?
SC45 68/1250
Sierra
16 to 4096
21264C EV68CB
1250
16 MB
?
32 GB/node
10 PCI-X
Rack(s)
?
?
The AlphaServer SC was a supercomputer constructed from a set of individual DS20L, ES40 or ES45 servers (called "nodes") mounted in racks. Every node was connected to every other node using a Quadrics elan3 interconnect and the systems were designed and used primarily for high-performance technical computing . An AlphaServer SC45 supercomputer was still ranked #6 in the world as late as November 2004.[ 20]
Marvel Family
Model
Code name
# of CPUs
CPU
CPU MHz
Scache
Chipset
Memory
Expansion
Enclosure
CPU Drawers
Introduced
Discontinued
ES47 [ 21]
?
1 to 2
21364 (EV7)
1000 1150
1.75 MB
?
Up to 16 GB
1 AGP 5 PCI /PCI-X slots
Tower
n/a
2003-01-20[ 22]
2007-04-27
1 to 4
Up to 32 GB
Up to 4 AGP Up to 32 PCI /PCI-X slots
Rack
1 to 2 2-CPU drawers
ES80 [ 21]
?
4 to 8
21364 (EV7)
1000 1150
1.75 MB
?
Up to 64 GB
Up to 8 AGP Up to 64 PCI /PCI-X slots
Rack
1 to 4 2-CPU drawers
2003-01-20[ 22]
2007-04-27
GS1280 [ 21]
?
8 to 64
21364 (EV7)
1150
1.75 MB
?
Up to 512 GB
Up to 64 AGP Up to 704 PCI /PCI-X slots
Rack(s)
1 to 8 8-CPU drawers
2003-01-20[ 22]
2007-04-27
21364EV7z
1300
?
2004-08-16
2007-04-27
The AlphaServer GS1280 originally supported a maximum of 16 microprocessors. In October 2003, the number of microprocessors supported was increased to 64 and the supported memory capacity was doubled to 8 GB per microprocessor.
References
^ MEDITECH MAGIC on the Compaq Alpha platform
^ a b Davis, Jim (1997-04-14). "Digital makes servers available" . CNET News .
^ a b c Davis, Jim (1997-10-27). "Digital has new Alpha, Intel servers" . CNET News .
^ Davis, Jim (1996-09-04). "DEC: more power, less money" . CNET News .
^ a b Shankland, Stephen (1998-10-19). "Compaq rolls out Alpha server" . CNET News .
^ a b c Exploring Alpha Power for Technical Computing Compaq Technology Brief
^ a b c Announcing enhanced high availability AlphaServer systems and new NonStop™ eBusiness solutions
^ a b "Compaq News (Apr 1999)" . Archived from the original on 1999-04-22. Retrieved 2021-04-23 .
^ New Compaq AlphaServer DS20 Boasts 64-Bit Alpha Power, Entry-Level Price
^ Compaq AlphaServer DS20 System
^ AlphaServer ES40Service Guide (Order Number:EK–ES240–SV. A01), Appendix D - 21264 (EV6) internal processor registers, 21272 (Tsunami/Typhoon) system support chipset registers, dual-port RAM registers
^ AlphaServer ES40 Technical Summary
^ Announcing the Compaq AlphaServer ES40 system
^ Compaq AlphaServer ES40 product information
^ AlphaServer ES40 Service Guide (Order Number:EK–ES240–SV. B01), Appendix D - 21264 (EV6/EV67) internal processor registers, 21272 (Tsunami/Typhoon) system support chipset registers, dual-port RAM registers
^ a b c d e ComputerWire (2002-08-04). "HP refreshes midrange PA, Alpha servers" . The Register .
^ a b c New AlphaServer GS Systems Set Standard for RISC Servers Press Release
^ Announcing the HP AlphaServer DS20L compute engine and the HP AlphaServer SC20 supercomputer
^ Compaq (1999-11-17). Compaq Flexes Alpha Muscle with Launch of New "Supercomputer" – the AlphaServer SC Series . Press Release
^ "November 2004 | TOP500 Supercomputer Sites" . Top500.org. Retrieved 2019-10-10 .
^ a b c Hewlett-Packard (2004-06-01). HP AlphaServer ES47/ES80/GS1280 User Information Version 3.0 . HP AlphaServer ES47/ES80/GS1280 User Information Version 3.0
^ a b c HP Press Release (2003-01-20). "HP Introduces Most Powerful Generation of AlphaServer Systems" . HP Press Release .
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