grabhorn@marlin.NOSC.MIL (Steven W. Grabhorn) (10/11/88)
A week or two ago several netters wanted to know what
information was available concerning the new EISA "standard".
Since I haven't seen too much factual info on the net yet, I'm
posting this article gleaned from the AST bulletin board in
Irvine, CA. [Which doesn't say a whole lot either :^)]
(I've deleted several direct references to AST's smartslot archi-
tecture.)
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EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture)
"AST is a co-developer of EISA. The final technical spec is
still being defined and AST is providing a great deal of input
into it. The formal EISA slot design has not been finalized yet,
but EISA is a new architecture that will require a different set
of connectors from AST's SMARTslot. The SMARTslot and EISA
architectures are different in that SMARTslot is a 16-bit design
with support for multiple bus masters which is shipping now,
while EISA is a 32-bit design with support for multiple bus
masters, automatic configuration, and other features which will
be needed in the 1990s.
The SMARTslot, Micro Channel, and EISA architectures also
have some important things in common - they are all for high-end
multi-user systems and advanced file servers running new types of
demanding PC applications, such as workgroup computing. Systems
using EISA architecture will not be out until late 1989, but AST
is going to be a very strong supporter of the EISA standard. The
most important thing about both SMARTslot and EISA is that they
are AT compatible. There is no user benefit in any new I/O bus
architecture for Intel-based PC's that justifies being incompati-
ble with the AT bus."
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT AST AND EISA
Q: Did AST contribute to the development of EISA? To what extent?
A: AST is a co-developer of EISA and has had substantial input
into the functional specification. However, EISA is the result of
a cooperative effort involving several major Personal Computer
manufacturers and independent hardware developers. No one company
had a predominant role.
Q: How does EISA compare to AST's SMARTslot architecture?
A: EISA and AST's SMARTslot architecture are similar. Here is a
summary of two of the main technical distinctions:
- The SMARTslot architecture is 16-bit, usable in systems
based on the 80286, 80386 (and above) Intel processors.
EISA is 32-bit, usable in 80386-based systems and above,
such as 80486.
- EISA includes some supplementary features similar to
those provided on IBM's Micro Channel which SMARTslot
does not. An example is the EISA automatic configuration
capability, which is similar to the Programmable Option
Select feature of the Micro Channel for identification and
automatic configuration of add-in boards.
Q: When does AST plan to deliver an EISA-based product?
A: We are currently evaluating the EISA situation from an engi-
neering and marketing standpoint. It is important to remember
that even basic logic chips for the EISA architecture will not be
available for some time. It is possible that a product could be
delivered sometime during late 1989, but we have no planned
target dates at this time.
AST Research
September 19, 1988
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As usual, these remarks and comments (except for AST's) are mine
alone.
Steve Grabhorn
grabhorn@nosc.milfverduin@neabbs.UUCP (FRANS VERDUIN) (07/15/89)
Ravi, For mechanical specifications of the EISABUS connector you can contact Burndy Corporation in Norwalk CT. For the description of the bus structure I am looking as hard as you do! Frans Verduin Netherlands - Europe