Systems
Octane / Octane 2
Introduction
General
The Octane (codename "Speedracer") was SGIs 1997 new offering as a midrange workstation. Unlike the predecessor Indigo 2 the Octane supports dual processors and was SGIs first workstation with SMP features that actually fits on the desktop. The core technologies used in the Octane are derived from the Onyx 2 / Origin 2000 line.
Architecture
One key element of the architecture is the use of a "crossbar switch" instead of a traditional shared bus system. This allows various subsystems to communicate without interfering any other activity in the machine. The crossbar switch on the Octane has seven ports to which the various system components connect:
- CPU / Memory
- Graphics (XIO Slot A)
- XIO Slot B
- XIO Slot C
- XIO Slot D
- Bridge to Builtin IO
- Bridge to PCI (PCI requires additional PCI cardcage or PCI shoehorn)
Octane vs. Octane 2
Octane 2 is the denomination of the last and thus higher end Octane systems. The underlying technology is not different but some parts of the system have been revised:
- frontplane (increased performance for higher end CPUs and graphics)
- system board (added support for different processors and high density memory)
- power supply
- VPro graphics
Some of these changes were already introduced before the Octane was renamed Octane 2. Other then that a given Octane may have been field-upgraded with newer components making it an Octane 2 without a change of names.
History
- 1997, January
- Introduction/Announcement of Octane family
- 1998, February
- E-Series graphics introduced in 250 MHz Octane/MXE system.
- 1998, May
- E-Series graphics now available for entire Octane series. R10000/225 Octane/SE systems replace R1000/175 and 195 Octane/SI systems. SSI/MXI models replaced by SSE/MXE models.
- 1999, February
- R12000 processors with 300 Mhz introduced for Octane systems
- 2000, June
- Introduction of Octane 2 family and VPro graphics for IRIX/MIPS and Octane 2 only in June.
- 2001, January
- Advanced VPro options V10 and V12 announced.
- 2001, June
- DMediaPro video options introduced
- 2002, February
- New Processor announced: 600 MHz R14000A
- 2002, July
- DM6 video option announced
- 2004, January
- Production of Octane 2 is announced to stop on June 25, 2004.
- 2004, June
- End of Production
- 2009, June
- End of Service
Processor
CPU Board | Processor | Clockspeed | Cache (d/i) | Cache (2nd) | Floating Point |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
IP30 | R10000 | 175 MHz | 32kb / 32kb | 1MB | onboard |
IP30 | R10000 | 195 MHz | 32kb / 32kb | 1MB | onboard |
IP30 | R10000 | 225 MHz | 32kb / 32kb | 1MB | onboard |
IP30 | R10000 | 225 MHz | 32kb / 32kb | 2MB | onboard |
IP30 | R10000 | 250 MHz | 32kb / 32kb | 1MB | onboard |
IP30 | R10000 | 250 MHz | 32kb / 32kb | 2MB | onboard |
IP30 | R12000 | 270 MHz | 32kb / 32kb | 2MB | onboard |
IP30 | R12000 | 300 MHz | 32kb / 32kb | 2MB | onboard |
IP30 | R12000 | 400 MHz | 32kb / 32kb | 2MB | onboard |
IP30 | R12000A | 360 MHz | 32kb / 32kb | 2MB | onboard |
IP30 | R12000A | 400 MHz | 32kb / 32kb | 2MB | onboard |
IP30 | R14000A | 550 MHz | 32kb / 32kb | 2MB | onboard |
IP30 | R14000A | 600 MHz | 32kb / 32kb | 2MB | onboard |
An Octane or Octane 2 system has either a single or a dual CPU module installed. Upgrading a single processor Octane requires that the single processor module is swapped for a dual processor module. It is not possible to simply add a second module.
2 major revisions of the IP30 CPU Board do exist. The older one (030-0887-xxx) was introduced with the original Octane and doesn't support the latest CPU models. For these the newer CPU board (030-1467-xxx) is required. For differences in the memory subsystem please refer to the following section.
Memory
030-0887-xxx mainboard
The 030-0887-xxx mainboard is the classic Octane mainboard.
Type: 200pin SDRAM DIMMs (proprietary) Sockets: 8 (4 * 2 sockets) Minimum configuration: 64 MB (2 * 32 MB DIMMs) Maximum configuration: 2048 MB (8 * 256 MB DIMMs)
The memory subsystem is controlled by the HEART ASIC, which is located on the CPU board. The HEART ASIC provides the interface between CPU and memory as well as the link to the crossbar switch.
This CPU board does not support higher density memory modules that can be used with the newer style CPU board described below. Beware that there are also some 256 MB memory modules that apparently will not work in this board but do fine on the newer one.
The R12000/270 CPU module will not work on this mainboard. Use of CPU modules with clockrates higher than 400 MHz may be limited as well.
030-1467-xxx mainboard
The 030-1467-xxx mainboard is used in the newer Octane and Octane 2 systems.
Type: 200pin SDRAM DIMMs (proprietary) Sockets: 8 (4 * 2 sockets) Minimum configuration: 64 MB (2 * 32 MB DIMMs) Maximum configuration: 8192 MB (8 * 1024 MB DIMMs)
The memory subsystem is controlled by the HEART ASIC, which is located on the CPU board. The HEART ASIC provides the interface between CPU and memory as well as the link to the crossbar switch.
This CPU board supports higher density memory modules with up to 1024 MB per DIMM and thus can contain up to 8 GB RAM. It also can be used with any CPU module that is available for the Octane.
Graphics
Graphics options made by Silicon Graphics:
PsiTech made a PCI board that could be used as a graphics head in an Octane or Octane 2 system. A local copy of the datasheet is available on this page. A PCI cardcage or PCI shoehorn is required to install this board.
Other
SCSI subsystem
All Octane and Octane 2 have 2 UW SCSI controllers based on the QLogic 1040B chipset. One is used to support the 3 internal drivebays (SCA connectors), the other can be used for external devices using the 68pin connector on the back of the machine. Maximum bandwidth using both channels is 80 MB/s.
Connectors
The Connectors available on the CPU board are:
- keyboard (PS/2)
- mouse (PS/2)
- 68pin UW SCSI
- analog audio in (phono)
- analog audio out (phono)
- 3.5mm headphone / speaker + 10VDC
- 3.5mm microphone
- digital input / output (phono)
- digital input / output (optical)
- 2 serial ports
- ethernet 10/100mbit
- 36pin parallel port (IEEE 1284C)
Graphics and Video in-/outputs depend on the type of graphics and video option installed in the system. Also, additional XIO or PCI options may add further connectivity.
Options
Expansion slots
Standard expansion slots on Octane / Octane 2 systems are high bandwidth XIO slots (total: 4). At least one of the XIO slots is occupied by I or E-Series graphics options, the VPro options always occupy two slots. Unused slots have to be occupied by blank XIO cards for cooling reasons.
It is also possible to add PCI options to the Octane in either of the following ways. The PCI cardcage can be installed in the space above the powersupply. This cardcage includes the XIO to PCI bridge and 3 PCI slots (PCI32 and PCI64). If only a single slot is required PCI shoehorn can be used which is a XIO to PCI interface that fits into one of the four XIO slots.
Options
Expansion options for the Octane and Octane 2 include:
- XIO Options
- Fibre Channel controler
- Differential UW-SCSI
- Ethernet/Serial card
- Fibre Channel controler
- Octane Digital Video
digital video in/out (full height board, hence not usable in dual-head Octanes)
- Octane Personal Video
for uncompressed Analog video (S-Video/Composite In-/Output)
- Octane Compressionfor realtime JPEG compressin in combination with Digital Video or as standalone board
- DMediaPro DM2
High-Definition and Standard-Definition video I/O option for workstations with VPro V10 or V12 graphics
- PCI Options
(Note: additional PCI cardcage or PCI shoehorn required)
- ISDN
- FDDI
- 10/100Base-TX Ethernet
- Synchronous Serial
- Fibre Channel
- differential UltraSCSI
- single ended UltraSCSI
- Ultra160 SCSI board
- Gigabit Ethernet
- Digital Audio Option
- Token Ring
- Serial HiPPI
- ATM
- ISDN
Dual Head
A Dual Head Octane has either 2 SI/SE or 2 VPro graphics options (see above).
The Octane2 Duo kit allows two users to use a dual head Octane2 simultaneous. The key components are a PCI card to attach the devices and of course keyboard, mouse and cables. The upgrade kit also comes with additional system memory and an option drive. (Requirements: Dual Head option, 2 CPUs)
Chassis
The Octane chassis has the following dimensions:
width: 28,00 cm / 11.0" height: 41,27 cm / 16.25" depth: 33,66 cm / 13.25" weight: 24,3 kg / 54 lbs
The systems offer space for 3 3.5" devices which must be installed on drivesleds (the same that are used for Origin 200, Onyx 2 and Origin 2000). There is no internal space for a 5.25" device like a CD-ROM drive.
The original Octane skins were green. It did feature the classic Silicon Graphics logo along with the cube. Later models were still green but did feature the new SGI logo design on the front. The same design was used on the Octane 2 which is blue in color.
Specials
Rebadged Systems
The Octane was also sold as a relabeld system by other vendors. One of these systems that is known is the Siemens Nixdorf RW550.
Rugged Versions
CRI, a division of RSI Inc., is building rugged rackmount versions of this system (Octane and Octane 2).
rOctane
The rOctane is a JVC UX-1000 mini stereo set merged into an Octane chassis. The stereo set is accessible through the front panel where normally the SCSI drives are installed. Also the rOctane skin does have an opening at the top where the CD drive of the UX-1000 can be accessed. The loudspeakers are mounted to the chassis like ears. The price of the rOctane in 1999 was 500 DM.
Here is another website with pictures.
Problems
Operating System
Choosing an operating system.
When the Octane was introduced the system specific IRIX 6.4 was released. Later Octane models or the Octane 2 may require a different OS release. VPro graphics for example requires IRIX 6.5.10 or IRIX 6.5.11. The Octane is also supported by IRIX 6.5 including the final release IRIX 6.5.30.
Regardless of the system configuration it is always recommended to use IRIX 6.5.30.
System module stuck
Signs of failure: System module cannot be removed
The Octane Workstation Hardware Guide describes how the system module is removed from Octane / Octane 2 systems. In some cases the whole procedure fails. Two common problems are
Memory modules that dropped out of their sockets. If you suspect this, turn the system gently on the side and carefully try to pull the system module (as it is shown in the Guide).
Common mistakes in the removal procedure include:
- Lockbar not removed.
- Handles not unlocked.
Status LED
Meaning of the seven green LEDs that are behind the frontpanel.
Perhaps you have seen the seven small holes near the undocumented connector on the front of your Octane. These are link status lights and show which ports of the Crossbar have items connected to.
- BaseIO X
- QA X X PCI Expansion
- QD X X QB
- QC X X Heart
BaseIO is always lit as it is the IO subsystem which is permanently installed on the IP30 CPU board. Heart is also always lit, because it indicates the connection to the Heart ASIC which again connects to CPU and memory. PCI Expansion is only lit if the PCI Expansion module is installed, the status of QA-QD depends on the XIO options and/or graphics board installed. When facing the back of the Octane the four XIO slots are labelled this way:
QA | QB ------- QC | QD
QA should always be lit as the first graphics card is installed in Quadrant A.
Strange/Unexpected Behaviour
If your Octane / Octane 2 begins to act strangely on it's own.
As with most computers heat can be a problem, so cooling is really essential - especially if you are running a higher end configuration. The airflow on the Octane is arranged in such a way that fresh air is pulled in through the air intakes at the top. It is pulled through the space where the boards are installed and leaves the system as warm air through the power supply. The way the air intakes are designed they easily gather dust which is a real problem for cooling. It must have been an issue for SGI, because they made documentation that deals with cleaning that specific part of the system.
Links
Manuals
- Octane Workstation Hardware Guide [local]
- Site Preparation for SGI 2000-Series, Origin, Onyx 2, Octane, and O2 [local]
- Octane 2 Workstation Hardware Guide [local]
Websites of Interest
- Futuretech: Octane - Ian Maplesons Octane page
- Octanes and the lightbar. How to Do It Yourself.
Youtube
A Hardware Tour of the Silicon Graphics Octane by Irinikus
Meet the SGI Octane - A 3D Graphics Powerhouse from 1997 by Retro Man Cave
SGI Octane Upgrade and Test Driving a 1997 Graphics Powerhouse by Retro Man Cave