SGI Indigo2 High Impact workstation, next to an SGI Espressigo

The SGI Indigo2 (stylized as "Indigo²") and the SGI Challenge M are

Unix Unix (; trademarked as UNIX) is a family of multitasking, multiuser computer operating systems that derive from the original AT&T Unix, whose development started in 1969 at the Bell Labs research center by Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, and ot ...

workstation A workstation is a special computer designed for technical or scientific applications. Intended primarily to be used by a single user, they are commonly connected to a local area network and run multi-user operating systems. The term ''workstat ...

s which were designed and sold by

SGI SGI may refer to: Companies *Saskatchewan Government Insurance *Scientific Games International, a gambling company *Silicon Graphics, Inc., a former manufacturer of high-performance computing products *Silicon Graphics International, formerly Rac ...

from 1992 to 1997. The Indigo2,

codename A code name, call sign or cryptonym is a Code word (figure of speech), code word or name used, sometimes clandestinely, to refer to another name, word, project, or person. Code names are often used for military purposes, or in espionage. They may ...

d "Fullhouse", is a desktop

. The Challenge M is a

server Server may refer to: Computing *Server (computing), a computer program or a device that provides functionality for other programs or devices, called clients Role * Waiting staff, those who work at a restaurant or a bar attending customers and su ...

which differs from the Indigo2 only by a slightly differently colored and badged case, and the absence of graphics and sound hardware. Both systems are based on the MIPS

processor Processor may refer to: Computing Hardware * Processor (computing) **Central processing unit (CPU), the hardware within a computer that executes a program *** Microprocessor, a central processing unit contained on a single integrated circuit (I ...

s, with EISA bus and SGI proprietary GIO64 expansion bus via a riser card. The

Indigo Indigo is a deep color close to the color wheel blue (a primary color in the RGB color space), as well as to some variants of ultramarine, based on the ancient dye of the same name. The word "indigo" comes from the Latin word ''indicum'', m ...

preceded the Indigo2, which is succeeded by the

Octane Octane is a hydrocarbon and an alkane with the chemical formula , and the condensed structural formula . Octane has many structural isomers that differ by the amount and location of branching in the carbon chain. One of these isomers, 2,2,4-Tri ...

Overview

Indigo2 desktop workstations have two models: the teal Indigo2 and the purple IMPACT. Both have identical looking cases except color, and sub-model case badging. The CPU types, the amount of RAM, and graphics capabilities, depend on the model or sub-model variation. Power Indigo2 is a version of the teal Indigo2, with the

R8000 The R8000 is a microprocessor chipset developed by MIPS Technologies, Inc. (MTI), Toshiba, and Weitek.Hsu 1994 It was the first implementation of the MIPS IV instruction set architecture. The R8000 is also known as the ''TFP'', for ''Tremendous Flo ...

chipset and strong

floating-point arithmetic In computing, floating-point arithmetic (FP) is arithmetic that represents real numbers approximately, using an integer with a fixed precision, called the significand, scaled by an integer exponent of a fixed base. For example, 12.345 can be ...

performance. The later IMPACT Indigo2 workstation model has more computational and visualization power, especially due to the introduction of the

R10000 The R10000, code-named "T5", is a RISC microprocessor implementation of the MIPS IV instruction set architecture (ISA) developed by MIPS Technologies, Inc. (MTI), then a division of Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI). The chief designers are Chris Rowe ...

series

RISC In computer engineering, a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) is a computer designed to simplify the individual instructions given to the computer to accomplish tasks. Compared to the instructions given to a complex instruction set comput ...

CPU and IMPACT graphics.

CPU

All Indigo2 models use one of four distinct MIPS

CPU A central processing unit (CPU), also called a central processor, main processor or just processor, is the electronic circuitry that executes instructions comprising a computer program. The CPU performs basic arithmetic, logic, controlling, and ...

variants: the 100 to 250 MHz MIPS

R4000 The R4000 is a microprocessor developed by MIPS Computer Systems that implements the MIPS III instruction set architecture (ISA). Officially announced on 1 October 1991, it was one of the first 64-bit microprocessors and the first MIPS III impleme ...

and R4400, and the

Quantum Effect Devices Quantum Effect Devices (QED) was a microprocessor design company incorporated in 1991 as Quantum Effect Design. It was based in Palo Alto, California. History The three founders, Tom Riordan, Earl Killian and Ray Kunita, were senior managers a ...

R4600 (IP22 mainboard); the 75 MHz MIPS

(IP26 mainboard); and the 175 to 195 MHz

(IP28 mainboard), which are featured in the last produced Indigo2 model, the IMPACT10000. Each microprocessor family differs in clock frequency, and in primary and secondary cache capacity.

RAM

All Indigo2 motherboards have 12 SIMM slots, for standard 36-bit parity 72-pin

fast page mode Dynamic random-access memory (dynamic RAM or DRAM) is a type of random-access semiconductor memory that stores each bit of data in a memory cell, usually consisting of a tiny capacitor and a transistor, both typically based on metal-oxide ...

SIMM A SIMM (single in-line memory module) is a type of memory module containing random-access memory used in computers from the early 1980s to the early 2000s. It differs from a dual in-line memory module (DIMM), the most predominant form of memory ...

memory modules seated in groups of four. Indigo2 can be expanded to a thermal specification maximum of either 384 MB or 512 MB RAM. The design of the memory control logic in R10000 machines support up to 1 GB RAM, but the thermal output of older generation of DRAM chips necessitate the 512 MB limit. With newer, higher-density and smaller scale modules, 768 MB is easily within heat output specifications. Later 128 MB modules allow the full 1 GB with eight out of twelve sockets occupied.

Storage

All Indigo2 models can accommodate two 3.5" SCSI disk drives and one 5.25" SCSI CD-ROM drive inside bays on the front of the machine, using specially designed Indigo2 drive sleds with proprietary connectors. All three drive bays are easily accessed when removing the Indigo2 front bezel. The internal SCSI bus speed of the Indigo2 is about 10 MB/s. The typical hard disks are narrow (SCSI-1) 5200rpm and 7200rpm drives. All of the Indigo2 drive sleds have a 50-pin female SCSI-1 connector and standard 4-pin power connector. Advanced U160 and U320 SCSI disk drives can also be used but then one needs appropriate adapters (80/68-pin to 50-pin SCSI).

Networking

10Mbit on-board LAN interface, 100Mbit LAN options were made by third parties, either via EISA or GIO64 expansion cards. The two most known and widely used Indigo2 network cards are the 3Com 3C597-TX 100Mbit EISA, and the Phobos G160 GIO64. The second one offers better overall performance due to using the superior GIO64 bus, which also has the effect of reducing the CPU utilization due to DMA transfers.

Graphics

The graphics options available for the Indigo2 can be divided in two groups: the pre-IMPACT and the MGRAS IMPACT boards. Pre-IMPACT options consist of the following options: Indigo2 XL24, Indigo2 XZ, Elan, and Extreme. These options are based on the same Express Graphics architecture from the original

SGI Indigo The Indigo, introduced as the IRIS Indigo, is a line of workstation computers developed and manufactured by Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI). SGI first announced the system in July 1991. The Indigo is considered one of the most capable graphics wo ...

, but feature improved performance. The Indigo2 XZ was launched in August 1993 at and the Indigo2 XL was launched in third quarter 1993 at . The MGRAS IMPACT (or just IMPACT) family include the Solid IMPACT, High IMPACT, High IMPACT AA, and the Maximum IMPACT. These newer boards have a different architecture than the earlier designs. Physically, they appear to be similar to the older graphics options; the low-end Solid IMPACT board takes up a single GIO-64 slot, the mid-range High IMPACT takes up two GIO-64 slots, and the high end Maximum IMPACT occupies three. The High IMPACT and Solid IMPACT boards provide the same performance for non-textured tasks, while the Maximum IMPACT provides double the performance. The High IMPACT AA option has the geometry performance of a Maximum IMPACT, but is otherwise the same as the High IMPACT including the pixel fill performance. The IMPACT graphics is the first desktop graphics system from SGI to offer texture mapping acceleration, though only the High IMPACT and Maximum IMPACT had this capability, and comes with 1 MB of texture memory as standard. The Solid IMPACT card is named "Solid" due to its applications for solid (non-textured) modeling. When expanded by adding a TRAM (Texture RAM) module to the board, the amount of texture memory can be increased to 4 MB. Maximum IMPACT graphics require two of these modules due its two pixel units, although this does not upgrade them to 8 MB, with the two modules merely working in parallel to render twice as fast. Of all contemporaries, Maximum IMPACT graphics is the world's fastest desktop visualization solution. A Maximum IMPACT with 4 MB of texture memory and the correct graphics settings can play the first three of the '' Quake'' video game series with acceptable frame rates. All graphics options for Indigo2 use the standard

13W3 DB13W3 (13W3) is a style of D-subminiature connector commonly used for Analog signal, analog video interfaces. The 13 refers to the total number of pins, the W refers to workstation and the 3 refers to the number of high-frequency pins. Usage ...

connector for connecting the monitor and another connector for 3D

stereoscopic Stereoscopy (also called stereoscopics, or stereo imaging) is a technique for creating or enhancing the depth perception, illusion of depth in an image by means of stereopsis for binocular vision. The word ''stereoscopy'' derives . Any stere ...

glasses. It is possible to have a dual-head Indigo2 by merely adding another Solid IMPACT card. Valid configurations include Solid/Solid, Solid/High, Solid/Maximum. Although there are four GIO-64 slots available and the High IMPACT takes up two, it is not possible to have a High/High configuration. The IMPACT boards draw more power than the GIO-64 bus can deliver, so IMPACT-ready systems have additional power connectors on the expansion riser card, with a separate connection to the power supply. An IMPACT-ready Indigo2 must have an IMPACT-ready riser card, an IMPACT-ready power supply, and a sufficiently recent

PROM A promenade dance, commonly called a prom, is a dance party for high school students. It may be offered in semi-formal black tie or informal suit for boys, and evening gowns for girls. This event is typically held near the end of the school yea ...

revision. The Indigo2's successor, the

SGI Octane SGI may refer to: Companies *Saskatchewan Government Insurance *Scientific Games International, a gambling company *Silicon Graphics, Inc., a former manufacturer of high-performance computing products *Silicon Graphics International, formerly Rac ...

, has an upgraded XIO bus and the same graphics options in repackaged form.

References

External links

*http://www.sgistuff.net/hardware/systems/indigo2.html *http://www.sgidepot.co.uk/indigo2/ *http://www.obsolyte.com/sgi_indigo2/
Remotely installing SGI IRIX 6.5 from a GNU/Linux serverIndigo 2 Power Supply basics
*http://www.NetBSD.org/Ports/sgimips/ *http://www.linux-mips.org/wiki/IP22 {{DEFAULTSORT:Sgi Indigo2 And Challenge M

Indigo2 The O2 is a large entertainment district on the Greenwich peninsula in South East London, England, including an indoor arena, a music club, a Cineworld cinema, an exhibition space, piazzas, bars, and restaurants. It was built largely within ...

Challenge M 64-bit computers