HP X-Terminals
Encyclopedia
HP X-Terminals are a line of X terminal
s from Hewlett Packard introduced in the early- to mid-1990s, including the 700/X and 700/RX, Envizex and Entria, and the Envizex II and Entria II. They were often sold alongside PA-RISC
-based HP 9000
Unix systems. The primary use case was connecting several graphical consoles to a single server or workstation to allow multiple users access the same (expensive) processing system from (less expensive) terminal systems. These X-Terminals
all allowed high-resolution, color-graphics access to the main server from which they downloaded their operating system and necessary program files. All models featured limited expandability, in most cases additional I/O options for peripherals and memory for more programs or local storage. HP did not use its own PA-RISC
platform for these systems, the first design used an Intel CISC
processor, while all later systems used RISC
platforms, first Intel i960 and later the popular MIPS
.
These 1990s X-Terminals, together with offerings from many other vendors from that time, were precursors to thin computing
: the use of small dumb front-end systems for I/O and a larger processing system as back-end, shared by many concurrent users.
(Motorola 68000-based) workstations.
They were driven by a pretty obscure CPU combination, an Intel 186 with a TI DSP
as video coprocessor.
significantly.
They were the first in a line of terminals to be driven by an Intel i960 RISC
CPU and introduced
a case which also was used on later systems. They have a (albeit very quiet) fan.
Several submodels were available, featuring different video-options:
All models have these base features in common:
terminals, but in a plastic case the same style as the HP 9000
/712 workstation.
They are very small and quiet.
The Entrias were available in different video configurations, depending on the exact model:
Common:
slightly modified architecture with a faster version of the Intel i960 RISC
CPU.
They have a (very quiet) fan inside.
Three different series were available which featured different speeds of the CPU:
Common aspects:
The system architecture was changed completely and is shared with the later Envizex II terminals. It is based around a NEC
R4300 CPU and PCI
-based I/O devices.
and PCI
I/O architecture.
The case was redesigned, is very easy to open and does not have any fans, making the terminal rather quiet.
formerly Enware, with some versions apparently based on VxWorks
(probably those with
RISC support).
This software runs on theoretically any Unix
system, native support is available for HP-UX
10, HP-UX
11, IBM AIX and Solaris 2.x. A generic installation image is provided for other Unix flavors; this can be used to install the software via the provided installation shell script on for instance various Linux
or BSD
flavors.
It was downloadable from a public HP FTP service (hprc.external.hp.com/B.07.11/), which however was apparently discontinued.
Read the included documentation and technical reference and refer to the installation
instructions. Generally, a Unix
server is needed from which the station can boot its kernel and load its X server.
This is done via TFTP
; the station can be managed locally via a configuration screen or remotely on the server via customizable configuration files.
supports the newer MIPS-based X-Terminals:
Same as with the older Netstation software, version 9.0 was available from a HP
FTP service, which was discontinued. (See above)
The newer X-Terminals (IIs) can boot in different ways, over a NFS mount, a SMB
share or plain TFTP
.
Included in the Netstation software is a native Java
environment which makes execution of local Java applets on the terminal possible.
X terminal
In computing, an X terminal is a display/input terminal for X Window System client applications. X terminals enjoyed a period of popularity in the early 1990s when they offered a lower total cost of ownership alternative to a full Unix workstation....
s from Hewlett Packard introduced in the early- to mid-1990s, including the 700/X and 700/RX, Envizex and Entria, and the Envizex II and Entria II. They were often sold alongside PA-RISC
PA-RISC
PA-RISC is an instruction set architecture developed by Hewlett-Packard. As the name implies, it is a reduced instruction set computer architecture, where the PA stands for Precision Architecture...
-based HP 9000
HP 9000
HP 9000 is the name for a line of workstation and server computer systems produced by the Hewlett-Packard Company . The native operating system for almost all HP 9000 systems is HP-UX, a derivative of Unix. The HP 9000 brand was introduced in 1984 to encompass several existing technical...
Unix systems. The primary use case was connecting several graphical consoles to a single server or workstation to allow multiple users access the same (expensive) processing system from (less expensive) terminal systems. These X-Terminals
X terminal
In computing, an X terminal is a display/input terminal for X Window System client applications. X terminals enjoyed a period of popularity in the early 1990s when they offered a lower total cost of ownership alternative to a full Unix workstation....
all allowed high-resolution, color-graphics access to the main server from which they downloaded their operating system and necessary program files. All models featured limited expandability, in most cases additional I/O options for peripherals and memory for more programs or local storage. HP did not use its own PA-RISC
PA-RISC
PA-RISC is an instruction set architecture developed by Hewlett-Packard. As the name implies, it is a reduced instruction set computer architecture, where the PA stands for Precision Architecture...
platform for these systems, the first design used an Intel CISC
Complex instruction set computer
A complex instruction set computer , is a computer where single instructions can execute several low-level operations and/or are capable of multi-step operations or addressing modes within single instructions...
processor, while all later systems used RISC
Reduced instruction set computer
Reduced instruction set computing, or RISC , is a CPU design strategy based on the insight that simplified instructions can provide higher performance if this simplicity enables much faster execution of each instruction. A computer based on this strategy is a reduced instruction set computer...
platforms, first Intel i960 and later the popular MIPS
MIPS architecture
MIPS is a reduced instruction set computer instruction set architecture developed by MIPS Technologies . The early MIPS architectures were 32-bit, and later versions were 64-bit...
.
These 1990s X-Terminals, together with offerings from many other vendors from that time, were precursors to thin computing
Thin client
A thin client is a computer or a computer program which depends heavily on some other computer to fulfill its traditional computational roles. This stands in contrast to the traditional fat client, a computer designed to take on these roles by itself...
: the use of small dumb front-end systems for I/O and a larger processing system as back-end, shared by many concurrent users.
700/X
These were the first X-Terminals HP produced, featuring a similar case to that of some HP 9000/300(Motorola 68000-based) workstations.
They were driven by a pretty obscure CPU combination, an Intel 186 with a TI DSP
as video coprocessor.
- CPU: 16 MHz Intel 80186 with a 60 MHz Texas InstrumentsTexas InstrumentsTexas Instruments Inc. , widely known as TI, is an American company based in Dallas, Texas, United States, which develops and commercializes semiconductor and computer technology...
DSPDigital signal processorA digital signal processor is a specialized microprocessor with an architecture optimized for the fast operational needs of digital signal processing.-Typical characteristics:...
as video processor - RAM: 1MB on board, 9MB maximum; one slot takes up to 8MB modules of unknown type
- Video RAM: Unknown
- Maximum video resolution/color-depth: 1024×768/8-bit
- I/O connectors: RS232 serial, HIL and two PS/2 for keyboard/mouse devices, AUI and BNC 10Mbit Ethernet connectors and VGA video connector
- Expansion: Unknown
700/RX
These are the direct successors to the 700/X line of X-Terminals and changed the architecturesignificantly.
They were the first in a line of terminals to be driven by an Intel i960 RISC
Reduced instruction set computer
Reduced instruction set computing, or RISC , is a CPU design strategy based on the insight that simplified instructions can provide higher performance if this simplicity enables much faster execution of each instruction. A computer based on this strategy is a reduced instruction set computer...
CPU and introduced
a case which also was used on later systems. They have a (albeit very quiet) fan.
Several submodels were available, featuring different video-options:
- 16Ca: 1MB Video RAM, max. 1028×768 resolution, 8-bit color-depth
- 19Ca: 2MB Video RAM, max. 1280×1024 resolution, 8-bit color-depth
- 14Ci/16Ci/17Ci: 1MB Video RAM, max. 1028×768 resolution, 8-bit color-depth
- 19Mi: 0.2MB Video RAM, max. 1280×1024 resolution, monographics
All models have these base features in common:
- CPU: 22 MHz Intel i960CA with 1KB instruction cache
- RAM: 2MB on board, 34MB maximum; two slots take each up to 16MB 72-pin non-parity SIMMSIMMA SIMM, or single in-line memory module, is a type of memory module containing random access memory used in computers from the early 1980s to the late 1990s. It differs from a dual in-line memory module , the most predominant form of memory module today, in that the contacts on a SIMM are redundant...
s - I/O connectors: RS232 serial, HILHIL busThe HP-HIL , not to be confused with the HP-IL, is the name of a computer bus used by Hewlett-Packard to connect keyboards, mice, trackballs, digitizers, tablets, barcode readers, rotary knobs, touchscreens, and other human interface peripherals to their HP 9000 workstations...
and two PS/2 for keyboard/mouse devices, parallel for printer, AUI and BNC 10Mbit Ethernet and VGA video connector - Expansion: slot for a Boot-ROM cartridge
Entria
The Entrias were the low-cost line of X-Terminals, featuring the same architecture as the 700/RXterminals, but in a plastic case the same style as the HP 9000
HP 9000
HP 9000 is the name for a line of workstation and server computer systems produced by the Hewlett-Packard Company . The native operating system for almost all HP 9000 systems is HP-UX, a derivative of Unix. The HP 9000 brand was introduced in 1984 to encompass several existing technical...
/712 workstation.
They are very small and quiet.
The Entrias were available in different video configurations, depending on the exact model:
- 0.6MB Video RAM: max. resolution of 1024×768 with grayscale graphics
- 1MB Video RAM: max. resolution of 1024×768 with 8-bit color depth
- 2MB Video RAM: max. resolution of 1280×1024 with 8-bit color depth
Common:
- CPU: Intel i960CA with 1KB instruction cache
- RAM: 4MB on board, 68MB maximum; two slots take each up to 32MB 72-pin non-parity SIMMSIMMA SIMM, or single in-line memory module, is a type of memory module containing random access memory used in computers from the early 1980s to the late 1990s. It differs from a dual in-line memory module , the most predominant form of memory module today, in that the contacts on a SIMM are redundant...
s - I/O connectors: RS232 serial, two PS/2 for keyboard/mouse devices, parallel for printer, TP and BNC 10Mbit Ethernet and VGA video connector
- Expansion: none
Envizex
The Envizex were the successors to the 700/RX terminals, featuring the same flat pizzabox case and aslightly modified architecture with a faster version of the Intel i960 RISC
Reduced instruction set computer
Reduced instruction set computing, or RISC , is a CPU design strategy based on the insight that simplified instructions can provide higher performance if this simplicity enables much faster execution of each instruction. A computer based on this strategy is a reduced instruction set computer...
CPU.
They have a (very quiet) fan inside.
Three different series were available which featured different speeds of the CPU:
- i SERIES: 25 MHz Intel i960CF with 4KB instruction and 1KB data cache
- a SERIES: 28 MHz Intel i960CF with 4KB instruction and 1KB data cache
- p SERIES: 33 MHz Intel i960CF with 4KB instruction and 1KB data cache
Common aspects:
- RAM: a and i SERIES: 4MB on board, 132MB maximum; four slots take each up to 32MB 72-pin non-parity SIMMSIMMA SIMM, or single in-line memory module, is a type of memory module containing random access memory used in computers from the early 1980s to the late 1990s. It differs from a dual in-line memory module , the most predominant form of memory module today, in that the contacts on a SIMM are redundant...
s. p SERIES: 6MB on board, 102MB maximum; three slots take each up to 32MB 72-pin non-parity SIMMSIMMA SIMM, or single in-line memory module, is a type of memory module containing random access memory used in computers from the early 1980s to the late 1990s. It differs from a dual in-line memory module , the most predominant form of memory module today, in that the contacts on a SIMM are redundant...
s - Video RAM: 2MB
- Maximum video resolution/color-depth: 1280×1024 (i SERIES might do only 1024×768) 8-bit
- I/O connectors: two RS232 serial, HILHIL busThe HP-HIL , not to be confused with the HP-IL, is the name of a computer bus used by Hewlett-Packard to connect keyboards, mice, trackballs, digitizers, tablets, barcode readers, rotary knobs, touchscreens, and other human interface peripherals to their HP 9000 workstations...
and two PS/2 for keyboard/mouse devices, parallel for printer, TP, AUI and BNC 10Mbit Ethernet and VGA video connector - Expansion: They offer a range of expansion options:
- 3.5″ PC floppy drive
- CD-quality audio support
- Either one of the following three cards:
- SCSISCSISmall Computer System Interface is a set of standards for physically connecting and transferring data between computers and peripheral devices. The SCSI standards define commands, protocols, and electrical and optical interfaces. SCSI is most commonly used for hard disks and tape drives, but it...
/ROM adapter card - Token Ring adapter
- 100VG AnyLan100BaseVG100BaseVG is a 100 Mbit/s Ethernet standard specified to run over four pairs of category 3 UTP wires . It is also called 100VG-AnyLAN because it was defined to carry both Ethernet and token ring frame types....
adapter (HP-proprietary 100MBit networking)
- SCSI
- They also have two PCMCIA sockets for:
- Boot-ROM card
- SRAMStatic random access memoryStatic random-access memory is a type of semiconductor memory where the word static indicates that, unlike dynamic RAM , it does not need to be periodically refreshed, as SRAM uses bistable latching circuitry to store each bit...
cards which contain fonts or a local copy of the X server (no network download necessary)
Entria II
These were the successors of the low-cost Entria X-Terminals, keeping their HP 9000/712-style small footprint plastic case.The system architecture was changed completely and is shared with the later Envizex II terminals. It is based around a NEC
NEC
, a Japanese multinational IT company, has its headquarters in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. NEC, part of the Sumitomo Group, provides information technology and network solutions to business enterprises, communications services providers and government....
R4300 CPU and PCI
Peripheral Component Interconnect
Conventional PCI is a computer bus for attaching hardware devices in a computer...
-based I/O devices.
- CPU: 100 MHz NECNEC, a Japanese multinational IT company, has its headquarters in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. NEC, part of the Sumitomo Group, provides information technology and network solutions to business enterprises, communications services providers and government....
R4300 - RAM: 64MB maximum; two slots take each up to 32MB 168-pin DIMMDIMMA DIMM or dual in-line memory module, comprises a series of dynamic random-access memory integrated circuits. These modules are mounted on a printed circuit board and designed for use in personal computers, workstations and servers...
s (PC66/100/133 DIMMDIMMA DIMM or dual in-line memory module, comprises a series of dynamic random-access memory integrated circuits. These modules are mounted on a printed circuit board and designed for use in personal computers, workstations and servers...
s in different sizes can be used, but only 8MB of each module will be available; the larger modules (16 and 32MB) were HP-proprietary) - Video RAM: 2MB
- Maximum video resolution/color-depth: 1280×1024/8-bit
- I/O connectors: RS232 serial, two PS/2 for keyboard/mouse devices, parallel for printer, TP Ethernet (probably 10Mbit) connector and VGA video connector
- Expansion: none
Envizex II
These are the bigger brothers of the Entria II X-Terminals, driven by the same R4300 MIPS CPUand PCI
Peripheral Component Interconnect
Conventional PCI is a computer bus for attaching hardware devices in a computer...
I/O architecture.
The case was redesigned, is very easy to open and does not have any fans, making the terminal rather quiet.
- CPU: 133 MHz NECNEC, a Japanese multinational IT company, has its headquarters in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. NEC, part of the Sumitomo Group, provides information technology and network solutions to business enterprises, communications services providers and government....
R4300 - RAM: 96MB maximum; three slots take each up to 32MB 168-pin DIMMDIMMA DIMM or dual in-line memory module, comprises a series of dynamic random-access memory integrated circuits. These modules are mounted on a printed circuit board and designed for use in personal computers, workstations and servers...
s (PC66/100/133 DIMMDIMMA DIMM or dual in-line memory module, comprises a series of dynamic random-access memory integrated circuits. These modules are mounted on a printed circuit board and designed for use in personal computers, workstations and servers...
s in different sizes can be used, but only 8MB of each module will be available; the larger modules (16 and 32MB) were also HP-proprietary) - Video RAM: 2 or 4MB VSIMM
- Video chipset: ATIATI TechnologiesATI Technologies Inc. was a semiconductor technology corporation based in Markham, Ontario, Canada, that specialized in the development of graphics processing units and chipsets. Founded in 1985 as Array Technologies Inc., the company was listed publicly in 1993 and was acquired by Advanced Micro...
Mach64 - Maximum video resolution/color-depth: 1600×1200/16-bit
- I/O connectors: two RS232 serial, two PS/2 and USBUniversal Serial BusUSB is an industry standard developed in the mid-1990s that defines the cables, connectors and protocols used in a bus for connection, communication and power supply between computers and electronic devices....
for keyboard/mouse devices, TP Ethernet connector and EVCVESA Enhanced Video ConnectorThe VESA Enhanced Video Connector is a VESA standard intended to reduce the number of cables around a computer by incorporating video, audio, FireWire and USB into a single cable system. The intention of the system was to make the monitor the central point of connection...
video connector (requires an adapter-cable to use standard VGA monitors) - Expansion:
- 3.5″ PC floppy drive
- Audio Kit with telephone I/O
- Flash DIMMDIMMA DIMM or dual in-line memory module, comprises a series of dynamic random-access memory integrated circuits. These modules are mounted on a printed circuit board and designed for use in personal computers, workstations and servers...
s card for booting and storing configuration and font files - 100VG AnyLan100BaseVG100BaseVG is a 100 Mbit/s Ethernet standard specified to run over four pairs of category 3 UTP wires . It is also called 100VG-AnyLAN because it was defined to carry both Ethernet and token ring frame types....
PCI card - 100Mbit Ethernet PCI card
- Combined BNC and AUI card (expands the onboard NIC)
Software
These X-Terminals/stations run a proprietary operating system from HP — Netstation,formerly Enware, with some versions apparently based on VxWorks
VxWorks
VxWorks is a real-time operating system developed as proprietary software by Wind River Systems of Alameda, California, USA. First released in 1987, VxWorks is designed for use in embedded systems.- History :...
(probably those with
RISC support).
This software runs on theoretically any Unix
Unix
Unix is a multitasking, multi-user computer operating system originally developed in 1969 by a group of AT&T employees at Bell Labs, including Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, Brian Kernighan, Douglas McIlroy, and Joe Ossanna...
system, native support is available for HP-UX
HP-UX
HP-UX is Hewlett-Packard's proprietary implementation of the Unix operating system, based on UNIX System V and first released in 1984...
10, HP-UX
HP-UX
HP-UX is Hewlett-Packard's proprietary implementation of the Unix operating system, based on UNIX System V and first released in 1984...
11, IBM AIX and Solaris 2.x. A generic installation image is provided for other Unix flavors; this can be used to install the software via the provided installation shell script on for instance various Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
or BSD
Berkeley Software Distribution
Berkeley Software Distribution is a Unix operating system derivative developed and distributed by the Computer Systems Research Group of the University of California, Berkeley, from 1977 to 1995...
flavors.
Netstation Version 7.1
The older Enware/Netstation Version 7.1, HP product B.07.11, supports the following i960-based terminals:- 700/RX
- Entria
- Envizex
It was downloadable from a public HP FTP service (hprc.external.hp.com/B.07.11/), which however was apparently discontinued.
Read the included documentation and technical reference and refer to the installation
instructions. Generally, a Unix
Unix
Unix is a multitasking, multi-user computer operating system originally developed in 1969 by a group of AT&T employees at Bell Labs, including Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, Brian Kernighan, Douglas McIlroy, and Joe Ossanna...
server is needed from which the station can boot its kernel and load its X server.
This is done via TFTP
Trivial File Transfer Protocol
Trivial File Transfer Protocol is a file transfer protocol known for its simplicity. It is generally used forautomated transfer of configuration or boot files between machines in a local environment....
; the station can be managed locally via a configuration screen or remotely on the server via customizable configuration files.
Netstation Version 9.0
The most current available Netstation version is 9.0, HP product B.09.11. This versionsupports the newer MIPS-based X-Terminals:
- Entria II
- Envizex II
Same as with the older Netstation software, version 9.0 was available from a HP
FTP service, which was discontinued. (See above)
The newer X-Terminals (IIs) can boot in different ways, over a NFS mount, a SMB
Server Message Block
In computer networking, Server Message Block , also known as Common Internet File System operates as an application-layer network protocol mainly used to provide shared access to files, printers, serial ports, and miscellaneous communications between nodes on a network. It also provides an...
share or plain TFTP
Trivial File Transfer Protocol
Trivial File Transfer Protocol is a file transfer protocol known for its simplicity. It is generally used forautomated transfer of configuration or boot files between machines in a local environment....
.
Included in the Netstation software is a native Java
Java (programming language)
Java is a programming language originally developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and released in 1995 as a core component of Sun Microsystems' Java platform. The language derives much of its syntax from C and C++ but has a simpler object model and fewer low-level facilities...
environment which makes execution of local Java applets on the terminal possible.
External links
- 700/RX and envizex Terminal password unlocking (Bart Dopheide: n.d. Accessed September 2008)
- Setting up the Envizex (N.a.: January 2008. Accessed September 2008) Installation instructions for the HP X-Terminal software
- Information and Software for HP Envizex, Entria, and 700/RX X-Terminals (Brian McElroy: April 2000. Access September 2008)