Date: Tue, 05 Nov 1996 00:25:42 GMT Server: NCSA/1.5 Content-type: text/html Last-modified: Thu, 31 Aug 1995 22:55:22 GMT Content-length: 3994 Vortex: Semi-custom hardware for a Typhoon prototype

Vortex/Typhoon-Zero


Vortex is a standard-width MBUS board designed to work with a dual hyperSparc processor module. It provides tag services on up to 128M of physical memory, as well as a dispatch mechanism for message and memory block access fault handler code.

When installed in each COW node, Vortex will allow Tempest codes to run with hardware assisted block access control/message dispatch, which allows memory to be shared on a cache-line (32-byte) basis across nodes. The COW + Vortex is referred to as Typhoon-Zero, and is intended as a prototype/feasibilty study for Typhoon, a more sophisticated hardware platform for Tempest codes. The board does not implement any kind of DSM protocol; instead it provides hardware assistance for the Tempest mechanisms, giving the user the freedom to implement whatever policies are desired.

Here is a paper describing more than you ever wanted to know about Vortex:

Sorry Windoze & DOS lunatics, no .lzh or .zip here!

Status

Pictures

Click here for a large picture of the bare Vortex board.

Click here for a large picture of the partially-stuffed prototype board.

This is Vortex Rev. A, S/N 001, Mod Level B.

Thanks to Soeren Christensen for the pictures.

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Last Changed: 30 Aug 95