ELXSI System 6400 .... Information needed
Robert Clayton
rfc at calmasd.CALMA.UUCP
Tue Jun 17 01:59:20 AEST 1986
In article <203 at cybavax.UUCP>, paul at cybavax.UUCP (Paul Middlehurst) writes:
> Anyone out there had experience with the ELXSI System 6400?
>
> . How fast is it really?
Initially, they claimed 4X a VAX 780 for FORTRAN. They improved their
compiler and claimed 6X. They expanded their cache and claimed 7X. In
a 10 processor test at Sandia Labs they got 10.1X the power of a single
processor. Potential 80 MIP machine with a full complement of 12
processors. 64 bit processors. 6 processors fit in a cabinet the size
of a 780. 12 processors require two such cabinets with a necessarily
short cable joining the bus. 25 nsec bus, 50 nsec processors.
> . What of the SysV/4.2 ports?
Their Unix rides on top of their Message Based OS kernel. Its System V.
I don't know of any 4.2 work, but by now, it's possible.
> . What support is available?
> . ... anything else you think I should know?
Their Gigabus is attractive with 200-300 MB/Sec capacity, and they
indicate a willingness to support special devices on it such as 100
MFLOP array processors. 64 MB/Sec I/O capacity and more if you need
it.
Price/MIP is comparable to VAX 8600. Entry level price about 15%
above the 8600.
Gene Amdahl's Trilogy Corporation bought out Elxsi about a year ago.
Amdahl is now the head of the company.
The only machine I can think of that compares with the ELXSI in terms
of capacity is the IBM 3090 for 2-3X the price and Crays. Their
market appears to be the "almost-super" computer market.
Bob Clayton
Calma, San Diego
(619) 587-3147
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