bob@omni.com (Bob Weissman) (04/03/91)
The NC400 Network CoProcessor from Interphase Corporation is an intelligent Ethernet controller and software that dramatically improves the NFS throughput of Sun SPARCserver 470 and SPARCserver 490 file servers. While typical Ethernet controllers handle only the physical layer and data link level protocol processing, the NC400 off-loads the entire NFS protocol stack from the server's processor to the network coprocessor. Without NC400 With NC400 Network CoProcessor Network CoProcessor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ /\ |-------------------------------| Operations handled || | File System Operation | by SPARCserver || |-------------------------------|- - - - - - - - - - - || | Data Transfer over VMEbus | /\ || |-------------------------------| || | Multiple Interrupts | || Operations handled by |-------------------------------| || SPARCserver | NFS server | |-------------------------------| Operations handled || | RPC/XDR | by NC400 Network || |-------------------------------| CoProcessor || | UDP | || |-------------------------------| || \/ | IP | || - - - - - - - - - - - - |-------------------------------| || | Data Link | || Operations handled by |-------------------------------| || Ethernet controller | Physical | || |-------------------------------| \/ ------------------------|-------------------------------|--------------------- This off-loading increases the capacity of the server to handle many more workstation clients, Ethernet networks, and NFS requests. The NC400 consists of a 9U VMEbus board with 1 MByte of memory, an MC68020 microprocessor, 30 MB/sec DMA capability, and optimized NFS processing software. Once installed on a SPARCserver, the Network CoProcessor delivers transparent performance improvement without application modification or client rebooting. PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS > Works with Sun Prestoserve to reduce NFS file server bottlenecks. > Allows server NFS capacity to scale to over 700 NFS ops/sec on the SPARCserver 490. > Increases server Ethernet connectivity to 6 Ethernets per server, providing support for over a hundred network clients. > Improves server application performance by off-loading NFS processing. > Operates transparently -- requires no client or application modifications. > Maintains full NFS and UNIX file system semantics and compatibility. PERFORMANCE GAINS Interphase NC400 Network CoProcessors enable SPARCserver 470 and SPARCserver 490 systems to support more NFS operations per second, more Ethernet subnetworks, and more NFS clients. Multiple Network CoProcessors preserve the server's ability to process applications even under heavy NFS traffic loads. With 4 NC400 boards, the SPARCserver 490 can achieve a throughput in excess of 700 NFS operations per second, and support over a hundred network clients. SPARCservers equipped with the NC400 are thus able to support much larger network environments. NFS ops/sec NHFSstone Benchmark +-----------------------*--------------------------------+ 700| * * SS 490 with 4 NC400 | | * + SS 490 with 2 NC400 | 600| * @ SS 490 with 1 NC400 | | * + o SS 490 with ie0 | 500| * + | | * + | 400| * + | | * + | 300| * + | | * + @ | 200| *+ @ | | *+ @ o | 100| +@ o | | @ o | 0+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+--+ 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 Response Time (ms./NFS/op) Many distributed computing environments use the SPARCserver 470 and SPARCserver 490 to process applications as well as function as file servers. For example, CAD users typically run server-based applications including design analysis, plot formatting and specialized peripheral management. Large builds in CASE environments are often run on the server where they have direct, high speed access to data. And, of course, X-terminal and timesharing terminal support require processes to run on the server. All of these applications compete with normal NFS traffic for server CPU cycles. Off-loading communications to the Network CoProcessor means that your applications run faster, improving workgroup productivity. Access to the full power of the server CPU means less user waiting time as well as consistent applcation and NFS performance for all members of the workgroup. RECOMMENDED CONFIGURATIONS Each NC400 is ideal for handling 10 to 40 client workstations. For example, to connect 50 clients to a SPARCserver 470 or SPARCserver 490, two NC400s should be used as client networks and the onboard ie0 Ethernet interface should be used to connect the server to a backbone LAN, as shown below. ===================Backbone Network============+============ | Client Networks | | C C C C ... C C C NC400 +----------+ | | | | | | | | +--+ | | ie0 | ---------------------| |-------| 470 |-------+ Sun Prestoserve +--+ | or | +--+ +--+ | 490 |---------| |----+ server disks ---------------------| |-------| | +--+ | ( ) ( ) | | | | | | | +--+ +----------+ +---( )--( ) C C C C ... C C C NC400 Additional strings of clients may be added to the server as necessary. Interphase supports up to 4 NC400 boards in SPARCserver 470 and up to 6 NC400 boards in SPARCserver 490 systems. HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS The NC400 is supported by Interphase on the SPARCserver 470 and SPARCserver 490 running SunOS 4.1.1 or later. It is compatible with IP, TCP, UDP, XDR, RPC, and NFS. SPECIFICATIONS Host interface: Power requirements: 9U x 400mm VME +5V 6.0 A typical Sun servers supported: 8.0 A maximum SPARCserver 470 +12V 0.5 A SPARCserver 490 Heat Dissipation 12.3 BTU/hour Operating Temperature Network Interface: 0 to 60 C Standard Ethernet 15 Pin For customer enquiries: For press enquiries: Interphase Corporation Interphase Corporation 381 East Evelyn Avenue 13800 Senlac Mountain View, CA 94041 Dallas, Texas 75234 (415) 966-1024 (214) 919-9000 (415) 966-1698 fax (214) 919-9200 fax -- Bob Weissman Internet: bob@omni.com UUCP: ...!{apple,decwrl,pyramid,sgi,uunet}!omni!bob