"As users seek to combine legacy data with the convergence of multimedia, the information superhighway and data management, the Challenge server family is exceptionally suited to deliver the power and tools needed to meet the demands of this new world data," said Wei Yen, senior vice president of Silicon Graphics' Computer Systems Group. "Since its introduction, the Challenge server line has surpassed expectations, proving itself to be a leading supercomputing, database and digital media performer. The new Challenge servers will build on this success and bring our technology to an even greater number of users."
The Challenge product family now includes four models that span a range of capabilities:
The expanded product line now offers access to the throughput and compute capabilities of the Challenge architecture to a broader range of users in publishing, CAD, file serving, media serving, broadcast, digital distribution and real-time markets.
The Challenge S server combines the I/O and price/performance of the Challenge server architecture with support for sharing emerging new world data information as well as peripheral compatibility and a wide range of networking options. The system delivers incomparable throughput, making it ideal for CAD, storage management, digital distribution and backbone serving applications.
The Challenge S server features two Ethernet channels, two fast and wide differential 20 MB/sec SCSI channels, a fast and narrow SCSI channel and two slots into Silicon Graphics' proprietary GIO bus, which support additional SCSI, FDDI, ATM and video options. The Challenge S server is available in two configurations:
The Challenge DM server, the most affordable SMP server ever offered by Silicon Graphics, is scalable to up to four R4400 100 MHz CPUs, includes 64 MB of memory, a 2 GB disk and features the same system architecture as the successful Challenge L and XL servers. Challenge DM is based on a high speed 1.2 GB per second bus and is able to connect to multiple 320 MB per second POWERchannel-2 I/O adapters. These adapters support multiple HiPPI and FDDI connections, 24 SCSI-II fast and wide channels and 19 Ethernet ports This makes Challenge DM the most expandable system in its price class.
The Challenge DM is designed for I/O intensive applications in database, digital media, file serving and real-time markets. This new server strongly supplements the compute and application performance of the Indy(tm) desktop system with faster and better computer I/O.
The Challenge S and Challenge DM servers are available immediately. The Challenge product family is binary compatible with the complete Silicon Graphics line of workstations and runs the IRIX(tm) operating system, Silicon Graphics' enhanced version of the System V Release 4 (SVR4) UNIX(r) operating system.
Silicon Graphics, Inc. is the leading manufacturer of high-performance visual computing systems. The company delivers interactive three-dimensional graphics, digital media and multiprocessing supercomputing technologies to technical, scientific and creative professionals. Its subsidiary, MIPS Technologies, Inc., designs and licenses the industry's leading RISC processor technology for the computer systems and embedded control markets. Silicon Graphics has offices worldwide and headquarters in Mountain View, California.
