IRIS 3000
Introduction
General
The IRIS 3000 systems were the last Motorola based machines SGI ever produced. They have been replaced by the MIPS based 4D series workstations.
The basic bus system for the IRIS 3000 architecture is still Multibus, but for the interconnection between CPU, FPU and memory a private bus is used which was also present on the IRIS 2000 Turbo models.
The IRIS 3000 was the last SGI system that used a Motorola 680x0 CPU. It was superseded by the IRIS 4D line which is based on MIPS RISC microprocessors. The first system of that new line is the Professional Iris.
Models
The following table includes a list of the models of the IRIS 3000 line.
| Model | Type | CPU | Graphics | Disk | Chassis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRIS 3010 | Terminal | IP2 | Enhanced IRIS Graphics (10 GE, 8 Bitplanes) | ST-506 (20MB) | unknown |
| IRIS 3020 | Workstation | IP2 | Enhanced IRIS Graphics (10 GE, 8 Bitplanes) | ST-506 (76MB) |
unknown |
| IRIS 3030 | Workstation | IP2 | Enhanced IRIS Graphics (10 GE, 32 Bitplanes) | ESDI (170MB) | unknown |
| IRIS 3110 | Workstation | IP2 | Enhanced IRIS Graphics (10 GE, 8 Bitplanes) | ST-506 | 20-slot |
| IRIS 3115 | Workstation | IP2 | Enhanced IRIS Graphics (12 GE, 8 Bitplanes) | ST-506 | 20-slot |
| IRIS 3120 | Workstation | IP2 | Enhanced IRIS Graphics (12 GE, 8 Bitplanes) | ESDI | 20-slot |
| IRIS 3130 | Workstation | IP2 | Enhanced IRIS Graphics (12 GE, 32 Bitplanes) | ESDI | 20-slot |
History
- 1986, February
- The IRIS 3000 product line is introduced featuring 3 models: 3010 teminal, 3020 workstation and 3030 workstation.
- 1989, November
- SGI is positioning the IRIS 3100/3000 products as "mature" and formalizing the end of production for the IRIS 2000 series products. Support (including availability of parts) is guaranteed for at least 5 years until October 1994.
Processor
IP2 CPU.
All IRIS 3000 systems are equipped with the IP2 processor board ("Inhouse Processor 2") which was also used in the IRIS 2000 Turbo models.
The following table includes the characteristics of the IP2 processor board:
| CPU Board | Procesor | Clockspeed |
|---|---|---|
| IP2 | Motorola 68020 | 16 MHz |
Memory
IM1 Memory
IM1 memory.
IRIS 3000 systems need an IM1 memory board. It connected to the private bus connection initiated by the IP2 CPU board. Thus bus is separate from the Multibus backplane.
Using IM1 boards the memory can be upgraded from 2 to 16 MB on IRIS 3000 workstations and from 2 to 12 MB on IRIS 3000 terminals. The IM1 board is available in 2 MB and 4 MB versions.
As the single RAM chips are hardwired to the IM1 board a memory upgrade requires replacement or addition of IM1 boards. Note that the last one in a chain of memory boards needs to be terminated using an IM1 terminator.
The IM1 memory board is also used with the IRIS 2000 Turbo models. It is not compatible with IRIS 2000 non-Turbo models.
Graphics
The Enhanced IRIS graphics featuring 10x 8 MHz Geometry Engines is used in IRIS 3010, 3020 and 3030 systems.
The later IRIS 3110, 3115, 3120 and 3130 models include the top of the line IRIS graphics option featuring 12x 10 MHz Geometry Engines.
Other
Upgrading the IRIS 3000 systems most likely requires adding further boards to the cardcage of the system.
Some of the IRIS 3000 systems shipped have been crippled to allow only a ristricted number of option cards. This has been obvious in examples where no further slots were available to add more than one IM1 memory board.
The backplane may not have the appropriate connectors on the backplane in such cases and the chassis will not have the guiding rails in which the boards are inserted.
Options
Excelan ethernet.
- IBM 3270 Coax Link
- Intelligent 8-Port Serial I/O Controller
- Excelan EXOS/201 Ethernet board
- Qualogy DSD 5217 ST-506/QIC-02
- Interphase Storager II STO-506/QIC-02/ESDI
- Interphase 2190 SMD
- CG1 Genlock option for IRIS 2000/3000
- Peripherals: Dials and Buttons
Chassis
20-slot
width: 45,7 cm / 18" height: 73,6 cm / 29" depth: 68,6 cm / 27" weight: 90,7 kg / 200 lbs
Specials
Control Data
IRIS 3000 systems were also sold by Control Data Corporation under their own label. At least relabelled IRIS 3130 models do exist, possibly other configurations were sold as well by Control Data.
Problems
Operating System
Choosing an operating system.
The IRIS systems run the GL2 operating system which predates IRIX. The IRIS 3000 models are supported by GL2 Release 3.
DIP Switches
What is the meaning of the DIP Switches?
The following is an explanation of the workstations DIP switches (0 open / 1 closed):
| Switch | Name | Setting | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-4 | Boot Environment | 1111 0111 1011 0011 0101 |
Hard disk boot Cartridge tape boot Floppy disk boot Network boot PROM monitor |
| 5 | Autoboot | 1 0 |
PROM Monitor boot Automatic boot |
| 6 | Quiet Mode | 1 |
Display system Information Don't display system Information |
| 7 | Monitor Select | 1 0 |
Display on primary monitor Display on secondary monitor |
| 8-9 | Reserved | 1 |
Pictures
IRIS 3130
Front of an IRIS 3130 system.
Front of an IRIS 3130 system.
Front of an IRIS 3130 system with cover taken off.
IRIS 3130 with cardcage opened.
Closeup of the IRIS 3130 cardcage.
Back of an IRIS 3130.
CPU and Memory
IP2 CPU.
FP1 floating point unit.
IM1 memory.
IM1 terminator.
Graphics
GF2 board.
BP3 board.
BP3 board.
BP3 board.
DC4 board.
UC4 board
Options
Excelan ethernet.
Storager option.
Links
Websites
- SGI IRIS FAQ [local mirror]
Videos
- archive.org - a video that includes a presentation of an IRIS computer (from ~1984).