gsbrob1@apcvxa.uchicago.edu (10/28/88)
. . . . . In article <5423@juniper.uucp> chari@juniper.UUCP (Christopher Michael Whatley) posted the NeXT press release, in which was the following: >Two proprietary VLSI chips, designed by NeXT, give the sytem its >mainframe-like qualities. > The Integrated Channel Processor (ICP) manages the flow of data >among the central processing unit (the 68030), main memory and all >peripheral devices. By offloading the 68030 and ensuring the >efficient flow of data within the system, the ICP allows the 68030 to >run at its full rated capacity of 5 MIPS. > The ICP provides 12 dedicated DMA (direct memory access) channels, >including channels for Ethernet networking and for disks, monitor, >printer and other peripheral devices. The single ICP chip replaces >several hundred chips performing similar functions on a mainframe >computer, and it raises sustained system throughput to a level >impossible with either personal computer or workstation architectures. I'm interested in whether a similar sort of thing could be done on the Mac in the future. I had someone here tell me "it can't be done", cause of: the OS, the architecture, whatever. I'm not a hardware person, so I have absolutely no idea. I'd like to know whether on a _theoretical_ level it can be done; I'm not asking what Apple is actually doing in this area, 'cause I know that those who know can't tell. :->. (Please: no flames from NeXT fans about why Apple is "doomed"; I've heard enough of that, and would prefer at this point to agree to disagree.) Any info from those who are tech experts with the Mac would be appreciated. Thanks, Robert gsbrob1@apcvxa.uchicago.edu ra_robert@gsbacd.uchicago.edu ............................................................................ . generic disclaimer: all opinions here expressed are mine and mine alone . ............................................................................
khb%chiba@Sun.COM (Keith Bierman - Sun Tactical Engineering) (10/28/88)
In article <571@tank.uchicago.edu> gsbrob1@apcvxa.uchicago.edu writes:
<Description of the NeXT machine>
I'm interested in whether a similar sort of thing could be done on the Mac in
the future. I had someone here tell me "it can't be done", cause of: the OS,
the architecture, whatever. I'm not a hardware person, so I have absolutely no
idea.
I'd like to know whether on a _theoretical_ level it can be done; I'm not
asking what Apple is actually doing in this area, 'cause I know that those who
know can't tell. :->. (Please: no flames from NeXT fans about why Apple is
"doomed"; I've heard enough of that, and would prefer at this point to agree to
disagree.)
There is nothing in the NeXT machine which isn't in all mainframes AND
minicomputers and certain high performance workstations....except its
been reduced to a chip (which is great, if you design it years after
everyone elses, and then the performance tradeoffs, etc.).
Apple can/will put in all such goodies. No (real) problem. Given that
Apple likes to make *strange* decisions (putting the ROM space in the
middle of the address space was an example) and that much of the
really neat stuff in the MacOS is very CPU dependent (save every
byte, twist 'em until they squeak :>) it will be complicated (or it
will coincide with a new OS/ROM combination). But it is WELL within
Apple's grasp.
............................................................................
. generic disclaimer: all opinions here expressed are mine and mine alone .
............................................................................
Keith H. Bierman
It's Not My Fault ---- I Voted for Bill & Opus