JavaStation
Encyclopedia
The JavaStation was a Network Computer
(NC) developed by Sun Microsystems
between 1996 and 2000, intended to run only Java
applications.
The hardware is based on the design of the Sun SPARCstation
series, a very successful line of UNIX
workstation
s.
The JavaStation, as an NC, lacks a hard drive, floppy
or CD-ROM
drive. It also differs from other Sun systems in having PS/2
keyboard and mouse interfaces and a VGA monitor connector.
Production models comprised:
Models produced only as prototypes or in limited numbers included:
In addition, Sun envisioned a third-generation "Super JavaStation" after Krups, with a JavaChip co-processor for native Java bytecode execution. This doesn't appear to have been produced.
The JavaStation concept was superseded by the Sun Ray
series of thin client
terminals.
in the flash memory
, but it's also possible to install Linux
or NetBSD
on the JavaStation.
Network computer
Network Computer is a trademark of Oracle Corporation that was used, from approximately 1996 to 2000, to market a range of diskless desktop computer devices. The devices were designed and manufactured by an alliance, which included Sun Microsystems, IBM, and others...
(NC) developed by Sun Microsystems
Sun Microsystems
Sun Microsystems, Inc. was a company that sold :computers, computer components, :computer software, and :information technology services. Sun was founded on February 24, 1982...
between 1996 and 2000, intended to run only 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...
applications.
The hardware is based on the design of the Sun SPARCstation
SPARCstation
The SPARCstation, SPARCserver and SPARCcenter product lines were a series of SPARC-based computer workstations and servers in desktop, deskside and rack-based form factor developed and sold by Sun Microsystems...
series, a very successful line of 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...
workstation
Workstation
A workstation is a high-end microcomputer designed for technical or scientific applications. Intended primarily to be used by one person at a time, they are commonly connected to a local area network and run multi-user operating systems...
s.
The JavaStation, as an NC, lacks a hard drive, floppy
Floppy
Floppy may refer to:* Floppy disk or floppy disk drive* Floppy disk controller* The Floppy Show* Mr. Floppy from the Sitcom Unhappily Ever After* Mr Floppy Australian rock band* Floppy a character from The Magic Key...
or CD-ROM
CD-ROM
A CD-ROM is a pre-pressed compact disc that contains data accessible to, but not writable by, a computer for data storage and music playback. The 1985 “Yellow Book” standard developed by Sony and Philips adapted the format to hold any form of binary data....
drive. It also differs from other Sun systems in having PS/2
PS/2 connector
The PS/2 connector is a 6-pin Mini-DIN connector used for connecting some keyboards and mice to a PC compatible computer system. Its name comes from the IBM Personal System/2 series of personal computers, with which it was introduced in 1987...
keyboard and mouse interfaces and a VGA monitor connector.
Models
There were several models of the JavaStation produced, some being pre-production variants produced in very small numbers.Production models comprised:
- JavaStation-1 (part number JJ-xx), codenamed Mr. Coffee: based on a 110 MHz MicroSPARC IIeMicroSPARCThe microSPARC is a microprocessor implementing the SPARC V8 instruction set architecture developed by Sun Microsystems. It was a low-end microprocessor intended for low-end workstations and embedded systems. The microprocessor was developed by Sun, but the floating-point unit was licensed from...
CPU, this was housed in a cuboidal Sun "unidisk" enclosure. - JavaStation-NC or JavaStation-10 (part number JK-xx) codenamed Krups: a redesigned Mr. Coffee with a 100 MHz MicroSPARC IIep CPU and enhanced video resolution and color capabilities. Krups was housed in a striking curved vertically-oriented enclosure.
Models produced only as prototypes or in limited numbers included:
- JavaStation/Fox: a prototype of the Mr Coffee: essentially a repackaged SPARCstation 4 Model 110.
- JavaStation-E (part number JE-xx) codenamed Espresso: a Krups with PCIPeripheral Component InterconnectConventional PCI is a computer bus for attaching hardware devices in a computer...
slots and a non-functional ATA interface in a restyled enclosure. - Dover: a JavaStation based on PC compatible hardware, with a CyrixCyrixCyrix Corporation was a microprocessor developer that was founded in 1988 in Richardson, Texas as a specialist supplier of high-performance math coprocessors for 286 and 386 microprocessors. The company was founded by former Texas Instruments staff members and had a long but troubled relationship...
MediaGXmMediaGXThe MediaGX CPU was an x86 processor manufactured and designed by Cyrix and later after merger manufactured by National Semiconductor, and was introduced in 1997. The core is based on the integration of the Cyrix Cx5x86 CPU core with hardware to process video and audio output...
CPU. - JavaEngine-1: an ATXATXATX is a motherboard form factor specification developed by Intel in 1995 to improve on previous de facto standards like the AT form factor. It was the first big change in computer case, motherboard, and power supply design in many years, improving standardization and interchangeability of parts...
form-factor version of Krups for embedded systems. - A 68030-based system designed by Diba, Inc. (later acquired by Sun) circa 1996, which could be considered a very early JavaStation-like system.
In addition, Sun envisioned a third-generation "Super JavaStation" after Krups, with a JavaChip co-processor for native Java bytecode execution. This doesn't appear to have been produced.
The JavaStation concept was superseded by the Sun Ray
Sun Ray
The Sun Ray from Oracle is a stateless thin client solution aimed at corporate environments, originally introduced by Sun Microsystems in September 1999...
series of thin client
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...
terminals.
Operating systems
The JavaStation comes with JavaOSJavaOS
JavaOS is an operating system with a Java virtual machine as a fundamental component. It was jointly developed by Sun Microsystems and IBM. Unlike Windows, Mac OS, Unix or Unix-like systems which are primarily written in the C programming language, JavaOS is primarily written in Java.As of 2006,...
in the flash memory
Flash memory
Flash memory is a non-volatile computer storage chip that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. It was developed from EEPROM and must be erased in fairly large blocks before these can be rewritten with new data...
, but it's also possible to install 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 NetBSD
NetBSD
NetBSD is a freely available open source version of the Berkeley Software Distribution Unix operating system. It was the second open source BSD descendant to be formally released, after 386BSD, and continues to be actively developed. The NetBSD project is primarily focused on high quality design,...
on the JavaStation.