1. AT&T, SILICON GRAPHICS FORM NEW COMPANY TO SPEED ARRIVAL OF
INTERACTIVE SERVICES VIA TELEPHONE, CABLE NETWORKS
2. JAMES BARTON TO HEAD INTERACTIVE DIGITAL SOLUTIONS
3. NTT AND SILICON GRAPHICS TO BUILD INTERACTIVE MULTIMEDIA
SERVICES SYSTEM FOR JAPAN
4. SILICON GRAPHICS INTRODUCES 64-BIT OPERATING SYSTEM
Compilers and CASEVision Tools Complement New IRIX 6.0
Environment
5. MIPS TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCES THE WORLD's FASTEST SUPERCOMPUTING
MICROPROCESSOR
6. CYGNUS SUPPORT'S GNU SOFTWARE TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR APPLICATIONS
DEVELOPMENT ON MIPS MICROPROCESSORS
7. MIPS TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCES OEM REFERENCE DESIGN TO UPGRADE PCs
FROM PENTIUM TO MIPS FOR 3.5 X PERFORMANCE
THIRD PARTY NEWS
8. SYSTRAN CORPORATION'S NEXT GENERATION OF SCRAMNET OFFERS A SINGLE
SLOT SOLUTION TO DESGINERS OF DISTRIBUTED REAL-TIME SYSTEMS
9. PARASOFT ANNOUNCES INSIGHT++ (tm) 2.0 FOR C++
THE AUTOMATIC RUNTIME DEBUGGER
COOL STUFF - (FREE)
10. THE EASIEST WAY TO WIN AN INDY YET!
11. TRY INPERSON DESKTOP CONFERENCING SOFTWARE FREE FOR 30 DAYS
TECHNICAL ARTICLES AND REFERENCES
___________
12. INTERACTIVE DIGITAL NETWORKS -- by Jill Grossman
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NEWS FROM SILICON GRAPHICS
1. AT&T, SILICON GRAPHICS FORM NEW COMPANY TO SPEED ARRIVAL OF INTERACTIVE SERVICES VIA TELEPHONE, CABLE NETWORKS
On June 22, 1994, AT&T Network Systems and Silicon Graphics, Inc. announced they have formed a joint venture company -- Interactive Digital Solutions -- to rapidly develop and deliver large-scale, fully integrated, interactive video server solutions for telephone company networks and cable TV systems. No financial terms were disclosed.
Software and other products of the new company, which is owned equally by AT&T and Silicon Graphics, will help local telephone companies, cable systems and other network providers offer movies- on-demand and other interactive entertainment and information services to consumers, students and business people.
At a news conference here to announce the venture, the companies demonstrated capabilities available today by using a Silicon Graphics media server with AT&T Network Systems' broadband networking capabilities. Software developed by Interactive Digital Solutions will greatly expand the multimedia capabilities that service providers can offer their customers in the near future, they said.
The new company will develop software to seamlessly integrate Silicon Graphics' powerful MIPS(r) RISC-based media server and system software with key elements of public networks, including such AT&T products as high-speed switches, synchronous transport, broadband access systems and network operations systems.
"AT&T is committed to providing telephone and cable TV company customers the most complete solutions possible," said Richard A. McGinn, president of AT&T Network Systems.
"By teaming up with a major leader in visual computing like Silicon Graphics, we can help our customers offer their customers the most comprehensive set of interactive multimedia services possible," he said.
"We're committed to early commercial deployment of practical and useful interactive digital services. The challenge, however, is astoundingly complex, requiring a carefully engineered, high- performance architecture," said Edward R. McCracken, chairman and chief executive officer of Silicon Graphics.
"Interactive Digital Solutions will meet that challenge by linking Silicon Graphics' computing expertise with AT&T's commitment to open systems and unquestionable ability to reliably connect the world with vital information and services."
James M. Barton, vice-president of Silicon Graphics' Media Systems Division, will assume the full-time position of president and general manager of Interactive Digital Solutions, which will be based in Mountain View, Calif. AT&T Switching Systems President Dan Stanzione will serve as chairman of the new company.
"More and more telephone carriers and cable television companies are planning to upgrade or enhance their infrastructure to deliver interactive multimedia services to homes and offices," Barton said.
"Interactive Digital Solutions will help them introduce those services, creating the opportunity for a wide variety of content owners to offer interactive products on a wide-scale basis," Barton said. "This new independent company draws from the strengths of AT&T and Silicon Graphics and is uniquely suited to develop the backbone for interactive networks."
The primary customers for Interactive Digital Solutions will be large local service providers such as telephone companies, cable television companies and other network operators around the world. Products will be sold and serviced in these markets by AT&T Network Systems through existing sales channels with the full support of the joint venture. In addition, the new company will provide video solutions for use in private networks.
Silicon Graphics, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of high- performance visual computing and data server systems. The company delivers interactive three-dimensional graphics, digital media and multiprocessing supercomputing technologies to technical and commercial environments through direct and indirect channels.
Its subsidiary, MIPS Technologies, Inc., designs and licenses the industry's leading RISC processor technology for the computer systems and embedded control markets. Silicon Graphics has offices worldwide and headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.
AT&T Network Systems is one of the world's largest manufacturers and providers of network telecommunications equipment, offering communications service providers virtually everything they need to build and operate their networks.
AT&T provides communications services, equipment and computer systems to consumers, businesses and communications companies around the world.
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2. JAMES BARTON TO HEAD INTERACTIVE DIGITAL SOLUTIONS
AT&T Network Systems and Silicon Graphics Name Media Server
Executive President of New Company
On June 22, 1994, AT&T Network Systems and Silicon Graphics, Inc. named James M. Barton president and general manager of Interactive Digital Solutions, a new company whose mission is to rapidly develop and deliver large-scale, fully integrated, interactive video server solutions for telephone company networks and cable TV systems.
Barton formerly was vice-president and general manager of Silicon Graphics' Media Systems Division. The division focuses on developing and marketing servers for the emerging interactive, digital media and professional media authoring marketplaces.
"As the individual who will lead Interactive Digital Solutions, Jim Barton brings with him an impressive understanding of the complexities of interactive technology," said Dan Stanzione, president of AT&T Switching Systems and chairman of the new company.
"Jim's experience in engineering high-performance computing and server software make him a great choice for leading this new company," Stanzione added.
"No one is better equipped than Jim Barton to lead this new company into the interactive frontier," said Edward R. McCracken, chairman and chief executive officer of Silicon Graphics.
"Since starting at Silicon Graphics eight years ago as an operating system architect, Jim has taught us all important lessons about what it takes to bring advanced multiprocessing and media server technologies to people in all disciplines," McCracken said.
Prior to heading Silicon Graphics' Media Systems Division, Barton was vice-president of advanced technology, where he helped define the company's strategy to promote a complete system architecture for interactive media.
His other posts at Silicon Graphics have included vice-president and general manager of the System Software Division and director of engineering for server and workstation systems development.
Before joining Silicon Graphics in 1986, Barton held computer architecture engineering posts at Hewlett-Packard Company in Cupertino, California, and Bell Laboratories/AT&T Information Systems in Denver, Colorado.
Barton received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he later earned a master's degree in computer science. He is a member of the IEEE Computer Society, the Association for Computing Machinery and Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility. He has published several papers and articles on UNIX(r) and multiprocessing.
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3. NTT AND SILICON GRAPHICS TO BUILD INTERACTIVE MULTIMEDIA SERVICES SYSTEM FOR JAPAN
On June 8, 1994, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) and Silicon Graphics, Inc. announced that the two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding to have Silicon Graphics become a major partner in the building of an interactive multimedia service system in Japan. Based on the 64-bit MIPS(r) microprocessor architecture, the system will combine NTT's digital network technologies, Silicon Graphics' digital media servers and object- oriented network software system and the MIPS Technologies multimedia engine.
Silicon Graphics is the first systems company to be named by NTT in its strategy to test interactive digital networks. The planned interactive multimedia services system will link consumers, businesses and government ministries to new kinds of information services and compute power. These new services could relieve traffic congestion by promoting telecommuting, provide remote medical checkups to Japan's aging society and give Japanese households access to video-on-demand, interactive games and shopping. This network could also bring on-line services such as guest lecturers, video libraries and virtual laboratories to schools.
"The interactive multimedia services system, in combination with the fiber optic digital network being introduced by NTT, will serve the expanding needs of a wide range of users," said President Masashi Kojima of NTT. "NTT is very pleased to pursue this project in a spirit of international cooperation with Silicon Graphics, the world leader in visual computing and multimedia technologies. By combining efforts with Silicon Graphics, we anticipate important strides in developing and commercializing application technologies that are crucial to the construction of the next-generation information infrastructure."
"It will take the most powerful and innovative technology to meet the demands of the global information revolution. From integrating simple audio and video to defining new methods of accessing and organizing new world data, Silicon Graphics' digital media leadership makes us the premiere hardware and software provider to lead this charge," said Edward R. McCracken, chairman and chief executive officer of Silicon Graphics. "By joining ranks with one of the world's most influential and technically sophisticated telecommunications companies, we will accelerate the development of the interactive information age. Playing a key role in supporting this development effort will be our Japanese subsidiary, Nihon Silicon Graphics, K.K."
Throughout the development effort, NTT and Silicon Graphics will promote an open standard that will allow the proliferation of the global information infrastructure, while jointly creating a complete interactive solution. The system will employ a visual software interface and operate over a fiber optical network using Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) technologies.
This project is part of NTT's Joint Utilization Test of Multimedia Communications, announced in April. Initial deployment of the interactive multimedia services system is scheduled for the fourth calendar quarter 1995. The memorandum of understanding is subject to negotiation of a definitive agreement.
Silicon Graphics, Inc. is the leading manufacturer of high- performance visual computing systems. The company delivers interactive three-dimensional graphics, digital media and multiprocessing supercomputing technologies to technical, scientific and creative professionals. Its subsidiary, MIPS Technologies, Inc., designs and licenses the industry's leading RISC processor technology for the computer systems and embedded control markets. Silicon Graphics has offices worldwide and headquarters in Mountain View, California.
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation and its subsidaries provide Japan's broadest range of telcommunications services, including telephone, telegraph, leased circuit, data communication facility and miscellaneous services. NTT also sells terminal equipment in these operations. NTT continues in its long-standing commitment to international cooperation and procurement. NTT is developing a next-generation network in order to create advanced telecommunications services for the 21st century and its research and development is crucial to realizing this goal.
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4. SILICON GRAPHICS INTRODUCES 64-BIT OPERATING SYSTEM
Compilers and CASEVision Tools Complement New IRIX 6.0 Environment
On June 7, 1994 Silicon Graphics, Inc. announced IRIX(tm) 6.0, an enhanced 64-bit version of the System V Release 4 (SVR4) UNIX(r) operating system. IRIX 6.0 takes advantage of a multi-threaded symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) architecture and offers the capabilities to handle floating-point intensive applications such as chemistry, geographics information sciences, computer-design and modeling, computational fluid dynamics and finite element analysis.
The new IRIX 6.0 operating system supports the creation of applications which use 64-bit features of the new MIPS(r) R8000(tm) streaming superscalar RISC microprocessor, including record- setting floating point performance of 310 SPECfp92, 64-bit logical operations and flat 64-bit virtual addresses. The operating system supports all existing 32-bit applications. The IRIX 6.0 operating system will be available on Silicon Graphics' Power Challenge(tm) line of shared-memory supercomputing systems which begin shipping this summer.
"IRIX 6.0 is a powerful 64-bit multiprocessing operating system which offers applications developers true supercomputing performance," said Ron Bernal, vice president and general manager of Silicon Graphics' Supercomputing Systems Division. "Developers who want to create 64-bit applications can now take advantage of IRIX 6.0 on the Power Challenge system-a combination that provides revolutionary price/performance."
Compilers MIPSpro(tm) compilers, a complete family of optimizing 64-bit compilers for R8000 based systems, also accompany the IRIX 6.0 operating system. This compiler family includes support for Fortran77, C and C++ and employs powerful optimization techniques like software pipelining and automatic loop blocking. These techniques enable a wide range of scientific and engineering applications to realize supercomputing performance on R8000 based systems. The compilers also support language extensions to facilitate porting of applications written for other supercomputing platforms such as Cray and Convex. In addition, the new compilers are complemented by CHALLENGEcomplib(tm), a comprehensive collection of high-performance, industry-standard mathematical libraries which are optimized for R8000 RISC microprocessor-based systems.
The compiler family also includes Power(tm) Fortran77 and Power C, the latest generation of parallelizing compilers for Power Challenge systems. These compilers employ automatic parallelization technology that allows programmers to easily take advantage of the multiprocessing performance capabilities of Power Challenge systems. The compilers also facilitate user-assisted parallelization by providing a comprehensive set of standards- based comment directives to assist the compilers in the parallelization process. Programmers can apply these comment- based directives in their Fortran77 or C code to further boost parallel performance.
CASE Tools Silicon Graphics' powerful CASEVision(tm)/WorkShop suite of software development tools have been enhanced to work with 64-bit executables in the IRIX 6.0 development environment. Tools include a debugger, performance tools, static analyzer and the CASEVision/Workshop Pro MPF Fortran parallel analyzer. Silicon Graphics, Inc. is the leading manufacturer of high-performance visual computing systems. The company delivers interactive three- dimensional graphics, digital media and multiprocessing supercomputing technologies to technical, scientific and creative professionals. Its subsidiary, MIPS Technologies, Inc., designs and licenses the industry's leading RISC processor technology for the computer systems and embedded control markets. Silicon Graphics has offices worldwide and headquarters in Mountain View, California. -end-
Silicon Graphics, IRIS and the Silicon Graphics logo are registered trademarks, and IRIX, Power Challenge, CHALLENGEcomplib and CASEVision are trademarks, of Silicon Graphics, Inc. MIPS is a registered trademark and R8000 and MIPSpro are trademarks of MIPS Technologies, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark of the X/Open Company Ltd. in the United Kingdom and other countries.
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5. MIPS TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCES THE WORLD's FASTEST SUPERCOMPUTING MICROPROCESSOR
The MIPS R8000 is the Fastest Microprocessor in Production; Powerful Chip Result of Innovative Technology from MIPS and Toshiba
On June 7, 1994 MIPS Technologies, Inc. announced the world's fastest commercially available supercomputing microprocessor, the 64-bit RISC MIPS R8000 chip set. Specifically optimized for supercomputing and emphasizing floating point computational performance, the R8000 offers a record-setting SPECfp92 of 310. In addition, the R8000 is inherently designed for symmetric multiprocessing so multiple chips can be closely coupled within the same computer to offer superior performance on applications traditionally solved by large, expensive supercomputers.
The R8000, formerly code-named TFP, was jointly developed by MIPS and Toshiba Corporation. As the first superscalar implementation of the MIPS architecture, the R8000 delivers peak performance roughly equivalent to a Cray Y-MP processor unit. Adding to its high performance, the four-way R8000 issues four instructions per clock cycle. The R8000 provides 300 million double-precision floating point operations per second (MFLOPS), 300 million instructions per second (MIPS) and a SPECint92 of 108. By shifting the power to the microprocessor, the R8000 enables cost-effective systems to perform at the level of multimillion dollar "big iron" supercomputers. (See attached benchmark data.)
"MIPS leads the microprocessor industry with both technology and innovation," said Tom Whiteside, president of MIPS Technologies. "Our partnership with Toshiba has resulted in a tremendously innovative supercomputing microprocessor. MIPS will continue to push the limits of technology to provide the best performance for computer applications from supercomputers to servers, workstations, PCs, games and a host of new consumer applications. MIPS has, and will continue to have, the fastest microprocessors in the world."
"The MIPS R8000 rewrites supercomputing by taking the power that has been constrained to big iron supercomputers and putting it into a microprocessor," said Forest Baskett, chief technical officer and senior vice president of research and development for Silicon Graphics. "Silicon Graphics is building upon the dramatic price/ performance brought by the R8000 to put world-class supercomputing into the hands of the many. The Silicon Graphics' Power Challenge, the first system to utilize the R8000 performance, will turn the supercomputing industry on its ear."
The R8000 chip set consists of a superscalar integer unit, a dual floating point unit and two dual ported tag RAMs. The chip set supports up to 16 megabytes (MB) of synchronous data streaming secondary cache. The R8000, fully binary compatible with the R4000 family, is the first processor utilizing the advanced MIPS IV instruction set. The 3.3-volt microprocessor features 16 kilobytes (KB) of instruction cache, 16 KB of dual-ported address and integer unit data cache backed up by the up to 16 MB of secondary cache and 1 KB of branch prediction cache. Together, the integer unit and floating point unit consist of 3.4 million transisters. Designed for a 0.5 micron L-effective 3-metal CMOS process, the integer unit and floating point unit die measure 17.2 mm by 17.3 mm.
MIPS Technologies, Inc. designs and supplies the world's most advanced RISC microprocessor technology. The company tests, certifies and licenses its processor technology to its semiconductor partners which provide processors for the computer system and embedded control markets. MIPS microprocessors power a number of computer industry leaders, including Acer Technologies, Deskstation Technology, Pyramid Technology, Siemens Nixdorf AG, Silicon Graphics, Inc., Sony Corporation, Tandem
-more- Computers Incorporated, NEC Technologies, Inc., NeTpower Inc. and Tektronix, Inc. MIPS RISC architecture components are available from Integrated Device Technology, Inc., LSI Logic Corporation, NEC Corporation, NKK Corporation, Siemens AG and Toshiba Corporation. MIPS Technologies, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Silicon Graphics, Inc. and is headquartered in Mountain View, Calif.
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6. CYGNUS SUPPORT'S GNU SOFTWARE TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR APPLICATIONS DEVELOPMENT ON MIPS MICROPROCESSORS
Tools Aid Development of MIPS-based Games & Consumer Electronics
On June 21, 1994, MIPS Technologies, Inc. and Cygnus Support announced the availability of the Cygnus Support GNU software development tools hosted on MS-DOS/Microsoft Windows and Unix platforms for developing applications designed for deployment on electronic devices or systems using the high performance MIPS(r) RISC R3000 and R4000 family of microprocessors. Interactive electronic games, consumer electronics devices and traditional embedded applications can now take advantage of Cygnus' robust, highly portable cross development solution. The tools include the state-of-the-art GNU C compiler, C++ compiler, debugger and assembler.
"Cygnus Support recognizes MIPS' goal to provide a high performance development solution to consumer electronics and embedded application development," said William Schmarzo, director of marketing at Cygnus Support. "Given the importance of MIPS to many of these emerging computer and electronics markets, we see this as a serious vote of confidence in the quality of Cygnus GNU development tools. We are proud to add MIPS' high performance microprocessors to our supported matrix of host/target platforms."
"MIPS provides a broad family of RISC microprocessors powering applications ranging from consumer electronics and toys to PCs and supercomputers," said Dave Corbin, director of marketing for MIPS. "Cygnus Support provides important tools to help software developers create applications unlocking the power of MIPS. Together, MIPS and Cygnus are committed to providing the best development solution for consumer and embedded systems designers."
Cygnus GNU development tools are based on GNU tools from the Free Software Foundation. GNU tools are faster, more powerful and more portable than their proprietary counterparts for the creation of compact, efficient code in embedded applications. Users can make improvements or customize the software since source code is always available. Cygnus creates tested, stable versions of the GNU tool chain by incorporating improvements into the Cynus GNU toolchain. Cygnus Support provides the GNU tools as pre-compiled software with complete source code. Cygnus also offers complete documentation, support and maintenance/upgrades.
MIPS is a recognized technology leader in the emerging consumer computing market. MIPS' current design wins include set-top devices for interactive digital cable television, the next generation of game systems from Nintendo, a new games system from Sony and other Sony consumer electronics applications. MIPS has made considerable technology investment in the market for personal digital assistants (PDAs) and personal communicators. MIPS' embedded applications include laser printers, copiers and communication devices.
Cygnus Support was founded in 1989 to provide commercial support for sourceware(tm) solutions. Sourceware is supported, centrally managed software featuring freely redistributable source code. Cygnus provides a full range of products and services for software developers, including site support, custom development, and open systems solutions, in North America, Europe and Asia. The company is based in Mountain View, Calif., with an office in Cambridge, Mass.
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7. MIPS TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCES OEM REFERENCE DESIGN TO UPGRADE PCs FROM PENTIUM TO MIPS FOR 3.5 X PERFORMANCE
Plug-In Module Allows Existing PCs to Run With Both MIPS RISC and Intel Pentium Microprocessors
On June 28, 1994, MIPS Technologies, Inc. announced the UltraP(tm) reference design available for manufacturers of PCs to quickly, easily and cost-effectively upgrade their existing Intel Pentium(tm)-based PC designs to high performance MIPS(r) RISC based systems for running Microsoft Windows NT(tm). Based on the design, PC manufacturers can build custom daughter board modules to plug into existing Pentium P5 sockets and thereby offer the high performance of MIPS RISC while retaining their investment in existing PC designs.
The reference design supports both the MIPS Orion(tm) R4600(tm) microprocessor and the Pentium microprocessor with translation logic to enable the MIPS processor to run on a standard Pentium bus without modification to the motherboard or add-in peripheral cards. The design also supports MIPS R4400 microprocessors. Preliminary benchmarking with the Application Benchmark Suite indicate that UltraP systems, with a MIPS R4600 processor at 150 MHz deliver up to 3.5 times the performance of Pentium 66 MHz systems and 2.5 times P54C 100 MHz systems.
"The power of MIPS microprocessors is undeniable," said Tom Whiteside, president of MIPS Technologies. "MIPS-based systems deliver a huge leap in real application performance on native 32- bit Windows NT applications. Given the existing installed base of older x86 applications and the investment PC manufacturers have made in their non-RISC systems designs, MIPS is working to ease the transition to much more powerful RISC systems."
The UltraP module is intended to enable PC manufacturers to conserve their current PC designs and system software and still offer the power of MIPS RISC microprocessors. A manufacturer's investment in a PC design is often substantial. These investments include the cost of developing custom diagnostics and self-check routines, a system BIOS, hardware set-ups and other hardware and software components necessary to make a complete system. With UltraP, PC manufacturers can retain all existing system components and sub-systems.
In an UltraP system, both the Pentium and the R4600 are reset simultaneously upon start-up. The Pentium completes all system start-up and initialization tasks and boots DOS. Then, a user can select Windows NT on MIPS, Windows NT on Pentium or Microsoft Windows on Pentium. If the user selects Windows NT on MIPS, system control is passed over to the MIPS R4600 processor. The initial version of UltraP requires rebooting to return to a DOS/Windows environment on the Pentium. The subsequent version will feature a Switcher(tm) software utility to enable users to toggle between processors and operating systems.
MIPS Technologies is offering the UltraP reference design free of charge to qualified manufacturers of PC systems. PC vendors may offer an UltraP card as a factory option for a high-performance Windows NT system or provide the module as a field upgrade. The cost of manufacturing UltraP modules in production quantities using an ASIC chip-set is approximately $40. The overall incremental cost of an UltraP board including a MIPS R4600 microprocessor is approximately $365. MIPS R4600 processors are available from Integrated Device Technology, NKK Corporation and Toshiba Corporation.
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THIRD PARTY NEWS
8. SYSTRAN CORPORATION'S NEXT GENERATION OF SCRAMNET OFFERS A SINGLE SLOT SOLUTION TO DESIGNERS OF DISTRIBUTED REAL-TIME SYSTEMS
ON April 25, 1994
SYSTRAN Corp., developer of the SCRAMNet Network (a real-time replicated shared-memory system), announced its newest version of SCRAMNet -- the SCRAMNet-LX Network. Its new custom ASIC design and added enhancements will provide increased network versatility and throughput for the designers of real-time systems. Following are highlights of SCRAMNet-LX:
* Improved Packaging
SCRAMNet-LX is based on a new custom ASIC chip, reducing the package from 2-6U boards to a single 3" x 5" card. This new modular package is now available with both coax and fiber optic media options. SCRAMNet-LX comes complete with field/user upgradeable memory modules, up to 8 MB. Cabinet kits have also been redesigned for smaller and easier installation.
* Enhancements
SCRAMNet-LX has a new burst+ mode which delivers 16.7 MB/sec of data throughput. Separate interrupts have been implemented for status and memory interrupt events. A new event counter/timer with global reset provides for self- diagnostics, network performance measurement, and synchronized global timer functions.
* Compatibility
SCRAMNet-LX is software compatible with current SCRAMNet nodes and is network interoperable. It also includes auto-initialization, configurable via EEPROM, minimizing the number of hardware switches.
* Price and Availability
SCRAMNet-LX is currently available with prices starting at $3495 per node, depending on the configuration.
The SCRAMNet Network is a real-time, replicated shared-memory system. It is optimized for the high-speed transfer of data between computers (up to 256) that are all solving portions of the same real-time problem. SCRAMNet's ring configuration achieves microsecond application-to-application performance with zero software overhead. Features include data filtering to reduce network traffic, byte swapping for automatic reformatting of variables, interrupt passing for synchronization, and a fiber optic ring that handles 150 Mbit/sec line transmission rates for distances up to 300 meters between computers. Applications include simulation, telemetry, data acquisition, instrumentation & control, and virtual reality.
Located at 4126 Linden Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45432-3068 USA, SYSTRAN Corp. specializes in real-time systems simulation and defense- related hardware/software research and development. The company's SCRAMNet Network is a leading real-time network, with hundreds of nodes used in diverse applications throughout the world.
# # #
SCRAMNet is a registered trademark of SYSTRAN Corp. SCRAMNet-LX is a trademark of SYSTRAN Corp.
Contact: Kathleen Clark, Public Relations Manager SYSTRAN Corp. (800) 252-5601 or (513) 252-5601 internet: kclark@systran.com
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9. PARASOFT ANNOUNCES INSIGHT++ (tm) 2.0 FOR C++
THE AUTOMATIC RUNTIME DEBUGGER
ParaSoft Corporation, a developer of high technology tools for software development, has announced Insight++ for C++.
Insight++ 2.0 is the latest release of the powerful, automatic, run-time debugger from ParaSoft. It includes new support for C++ programs, as well as improvements to existing features.
Insight++ pinpoints bugs quickly, and provides all the information necessary to repair the bug immediately. Included in the "Most Wanted" list of errors Insight++ detects are: memory corruption, operations on uninitialized, NULL, or "wild" pointers, memory leaks, errors allocating and freeing dynamic memory, operations on pointers to unrelated data blocks, and more! Insight++ offers benefits not available from Softbench, SPARCworks, CASEVision/ WorkShop, or other integrated development environments.
Insight++ is the only run-time debugger on the market that can identify bugs specific to C++, such as distinguishing between new, delete, malloc, and free. Insight++ also finds problems with overloading operators, C++ dead code, and errors in calling class functions. Insight++ supports the newest features available in C++, including templates, exception handling, RTTI, and others.
Insight++ also includes the following utilities to improve your software quality:
Invision is a unique algorithm validation tool that produces visual images of memory and data patterns. Invision helps the programmer to find algorithmic anomalies, bugs, and deficiencies.
InUse is a graphical "Malloc Monitor". This tool helps you to understand how your program manipulates memory by graphically showing how it allocates and frees memory as it runs. InUse simultaneously displays several useful statistics, including the amount of dynamic memory in use, memory fragmentation, sizes of allocated blocks, and the number of calls to memory management routines.
TCA (Total Coverage Analysis) provides you with information about which pieces of your code have been tested, how much code was tested, and how many times different code blocks were executed. This insures that all of your program is bug-free, not just the most frequently used parts.
Insight++ is available for HP9000, IBM RS/6000, Sun/Sparc, DEC, SGI, and other machines. It works with most popular C++ compilers. Pricing begins at only $1495 for a three-user license. ParaSoft offers an unconditional 30-day money-back guarantee with no questions asked.
Contact:
Arthur Hicken Marketing Manager ParaSoft Corporation
2500 E. Foothill Blvd. #205 Pasadena, CA 91107-3464
ph: 818-792-9941 fax: 818-792-0819
email: ahicken@parasoft.com ftp: ftp.parasoft.com
www: http://www.parasoft.com
ParaSoft and Insight++ are trademarks of ParaSoft Corporation. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
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COOL STUFF - (FREE)
10. THE EASIEST WAY TO WIN AN INDY YET!
To celebrate one full year of IRIS On-Line, we've decided to give away an INDY (TM) system to one of our loyal readers in "The Easiest Way to Win an Indy Yet"! What do you have to do to enter? If you're reading this issue of IRIS On-Line, probably nothing! If you're reading somebody else's copy, then just subscribe yourself following the easy instructions at end of this issue. No purchase is necessary. (In fact IRIS On-Line is free!)
Or, you can subscribe via Silicon Surf, Silicon Graphic's World Wide Web server at URL http://www.sgi.com/news/iris_on_line.html. On September 1, 1994 we will randomly select a lucky subscriber from the IRIS On-Line subscription list, and if it's your email address that's picked, an INDY system will be on its way!
OK, here's the fine print:
This drawing is not open to employees of Silicon Graphics, MIPS Technologies, Inc., or employees of their subsidiaries, agents, distributors, suppliers, or resellers.
The winner will be selected by random drawing from the IRIS On-Line email subscription list effetive on September 1, 1994. Only valid email addresses on this list as of 11:59 p.m. September 1, 1994 are eligible. Silicon Graphics will notify the winner by mail (and email) on or before September 15, 1994.
Further details are available by sending email to list-manager@sgi.com. The email should consist of the command "info iris-on-line".
11. TRY INPERSON DESKTOP CONFERENCING SOFTWARE FREE FOR 30 DAYS
The most significant advancement in real-time collaboration.
InPerson, the desktop conferencing software, represents a significant advancement in collaborative computing through affordable desktop conferencing. In the future, noworkplace will be without it, but for now, the advantage can be yours.
A FREE 30-day trial copy of InPerson can now be obtained through Silicon Surf, Silicon Graphics' World Wide Web server. Just visit Silicon Surf at URL http://www.sgi.com to get your copy today!
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TECHNICAL ARTICLES AND REFERENCES
(as first appeared in IRIS Universe #27)
12. INTERACTIVE DIGITAL NETWORKS - by Jill Grossman
The widespread digital distribution of entertainment, in formation and interactive services is a technological development as significant and exciting as the introduction of personal computers. Interactive television (which channels digital information and services to home televisions) and interactive digital media (which pipes information to workstations, PCs and other devices) blend elements of television, telephone and computing technologies. Soon, the average household or business will have access to information services and compute power previously limited to a privileged few.
The video rental business today is a $12 billion industry, and the idea of supplying home viewers with movies on-line has provided a catalyst for initial investment in interactive television. While video-on-demand likely will be the first home application, the real promise of this technology lies in two-way interaction between consumers and digitally stored data, between users in their homes, and among business professionals at work.
For consumers, programming and services will range from video- and programming-on-demand to interactive games and home shopping. Businesses linked to interactive digital networks can use this technology for collaborative design, videoconferencing and data transmission. Schools will have ready access to electronic libraries and virtual laboratories, to encourage shared knowledge and collaborative projects.
Full deployment of interactive digital networks will occur as technology evolves and conforms to consumer interests. In the next several years, communication and computer companies will test their systems in trials throughout the world. With computing performance relative to price increasing 10-fold every 3-1/2 years, companies pursuing the interactive market must invest today in advanced technologies that will keep pace with future price/performance structures.
Silicon Graphics' Role
Silicon Graphics' first interactive television application is taking place in Orlando, Florida, where Time Warner Cable is establishing the first phase of a Full Service Network (FSN). Time Warner selected Silicon Graphics to provide three key aspects of the FSN: the servers to handle the vast array of material to be distributed to subscribers; the digital technology and microprocessors for the set-top box, which gives consumers a command over material; and, the distributed operating system and user-interface software which provide the end-to-end operating environment. With plans to bring on-line 4,000 homes in Orlando, full-scale deployment of this ambitious trial is scheduled for this fall.
System-wide design
Defining the architecture of an interactive digital network requires the application of existing computer-based digital media technology. Silicon Graphics enjoys an enormous advantage, because the power needed for this emerging market is essentially the same as that required for real-time 3D graphics_one of the company's core technologies.
An interactive network is a specialized form of client-server computing. On one end, the client could be a home system with a set-top box, a hand-held remote control, and a television monitor. On the other end is a powerful computer system, or server, capable of storing, operating and delivering the network's various services.
If the network is not developed as an integrated system, decisions made to optimize individual elements can degrade the system as a whole. Consequently, Silicon Graphics has created a scalable, integrated architecture that allows functions to be handled at either end of the system, depending on the capabilities and bandwidth of the servers and set-tops employed.
The elements necessary to deploy an interactive television network include:
-- set top-devices, also known as home communication terminals (HCT),
-- media servers,
-- a distributed operating system,
-- a developers' program for content providers,
-- and, a distribution network.
The MIPS Multimedia Engine
The MIPS RISC architecture is the compute engine and foundation technology for the set-top devices, or HCTs. It is ideal because it delivers the necessary power for interactive 3D graphics, an on- screen user interface, high-speed communications, video technologies and compression and decompression.
The Home Communication Terminal
HCTs of the future will be able to do much more than simply convert compressed digital audio and video data streams to analog outputs. They will be capable of image rendering, image compositing, decompression, decryption, telephony, device management and real-time graphics. HCTs must also offer sufficient multitasking power to maintain fast response times while processing multiple requests.
The HCT used in the Orlando trial is based on the technology housed in Silicon Graphics' powerful Indy work station. The initial HCT system has a 100MHz MIPS R4000 microprocessor, 8MB of RAM, and virtual 24-bit color graphics. By 1997, an HCT that meets this demanding criteria should be available for less than $300. This price will be met in part by anticipated declines in component pricing and the economies of scale associated with mass market merchandising. The most dramatic price-performance improvements, however, will be realized by vendors able to implement essential set-top capabilities in silicon.
The Server
Requirements for video servers are even more demanding. Even in early test configurations, hundreds of different users are likely to demand service at the same time. In the case of video-on-demand applications, servers in the head end complex concurrently will have to support thousands of different data streams. They must manage all connections and media required to ensure unbroken video and audio service while concurrently handling the associated accounting, access control (authentication) and media asset management responsibilities.
Managing the massive amounts of information that will flow across interactive networks will require development of sophisticated new hierarchical storage schemes. Even a modest video library containing only fifty titles could consume as much as 100 gigabytes of storage space. A library holding 10,000 titles will require storage and retrieval systems with the capacity to manage up to 20 terabytes or more--all at speeds that ensure customers will not be kept waiting.
To keep up with the many other demands that this kind of expansion suggests, the video servers supporting interactive networks must be extraordinarily scalable. And, the same server architecture that an operator initially adopts to handle limited services for a relatively small base of subscribers must be extensible enough to support massive expansion as the universe of users, media and applications grows.
Interactive Navigation
To achieve widespread use, HCTs require simple, intuitive interface metaphors whose simplicity transcends even today's most intuitive computer user environment.
The Distributed Operating System
A distributed operating system, which lies underneath the interface, is needed to easily and efficiently allow subscribers to access content wherever it is located on the local or remote network. As networks develop, content providers will proliferate and few of them will maintain content on head-end servers. Therefore, the operating system must be:
-- distributed,
-- open and based on industry standards,
-- flexible, scalable and capable of evolving as needs dictate,
-- and, highly available and reliable.
Underlying Communications Technologies
Transmitting interactive multimedia data streams requires high bandwidth and fast response rates, which can be provided by a variety of means. Due to the high cost of fiber optic cable, Time- Warner has chosen a hybrid cable which combines coaxial (used in today's cable networks) and fiber technology.
The emergence of the Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) communications protocol is also significant. ATM switching allows for the efficient transport of "mixed traffic" signals such as those generated by integrated voice, text, image, data and video services.
Any attempt to define technology based solely on what we currently know is perilous indeed. What is important is to understand the elements necessary for the broadest, most flexible system, and to realize implementations and trials are the only means to progress.
Jill Grossman is Public Relations Manager at Silicon Graphics.
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Silicon Graphics, Inc. is the leading manufacturer of high-performance visual computing systems. The company delivers interactive three-dimensional graphics, digital media and multiprocessing supercomputing technologies to technical, scientific and creative professionals. Its subsidiary, MIPS Technologies, Inc., designs and licenses the industry's leading RISC processor technology for the computer systems and embedded control markets. Silicon Graphics has offices worldwide and headquarters in Mountain View, California.
Silicon Graphics and the Silicon Graphics logo are registered trademarks, and Onyx, RealityEngine2, Challenge, Indigo2 and Indy are trademarks, of Silicon Graphics, Inc. Extreme is a trademark used under license.
OpenGL(TM) is a trademark of Silicon Graphics, Inc.
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