===== AlphaServer 2100A and 2000A (Lynx) ===== ^ AlphaServer 2100A, 2000A ^^ ^ Codename | Lynx, Demi-Lynx (2000A) | ^ CPU | [[wp>Alpha_21064#Alpha_21064A|21064A]], [[wp>Alpha_21164|21164]], [[wp>Alpha_21164#Alpha_21164A|21164A]] | ^ Processors | Up to 4 (2100A), up to 2 (2000A) | ^ Core logic | T2 | ^ Memory | Up to 2 GiB (1 GiB with four CPUs) | ^ Buses | 33 MHz PCI, EISA | ^ Firmware | SRM (last V5.3) | ^ Kernel option | ''CONFIG_ALPHA_LYNX'' | ^ Linux | Linux 6.9 and earlier | The AlphaServer 2100A is the successor to the [[hardware:systems:sable|AlphaServer 2100]], with the standard I/O functions moved onto the system backplane and most of the EISA slots traded for PCI slots. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2000_2100_2100a_technical_summary.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2000, AlphaServer 2100, and AlphaServer 2100A Technical Summary}}, pp. 5-6)] The AlphaServer 2000A (Demi-Lynx) is the smaller version, related to the 2100A as the [[hardware:systems:sable|AlphaServer 2000]] is to the 2100, holding two CPUs and two memory boards instead of up to four CPUs. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2005-September.mbox#L2367|"Powerup Problem on AS2000"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 26 Sep 2005)] ==== Specifications ==== * Up to four CPUs, up to 2 GiB of memory (1 GiB with four CPUs), eight PCI slots, and three EISA slots, in the 4/275, 5/250, and 5/300 models [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2100a_owners_guide.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2100A Owner's Guide}}, pp. 1-2, 1-3)] * 275 MHz [[wp>Alpha_21064#Alpha_21064A|21064A]] with 1 MiB of backup cache on the 4/275 models, and a [[wp>Alpha_21164|21164]] with 4 MiB of backup cache, at 250 MHz on the 5/250 and 291 MHz on the 5/300 models [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2000_2100_2100a_technical_summary.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2000, AlphaServer 2100, and AlphaServer 2100A Technical Summary}}, p. 3)] * The later 5/375 models use the KN490 CPU module, a 375 MHz [[wp>Alpha_21164#Alpha_21164A|21164A]] with 8 MiB of cache, which also fits the AlphaServer 2100 and 2000 [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2x00_2100a_cpu_upgrade_rev_c.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2x00/2100A Series CPU Upgrade}}, EK-KN470-IN.C01, August 1996, p. ix)] * The same 128-bit system bus as the AlphaServer 2100, with 666 MB/s peak bandwidth, and memory modules of 64, 128, and 512 MiB [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2000_2100_2100a_technical_summary.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2000, AlphaServer 2100, and AlphaServer 2100A Technical Summary}}, pp. 4-5)] * 33 MHz PCI and 8.33 MHz EISA, with the standard I/O functions (1 MiB flash ROM, 8 KiB NVRAM, TOY clock, serial, parallel, floppy, keyboard and mouse) on the system backplane rather than a separate I/O module [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2000_2100_2100a_technical_summary.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2000, AlphaServer 2100, and AlphaServer 2100A Technical Summary}}, pp. 5-6)] * Ethernet is an adapter rather than an onboard controller, unlike the AlphaServer 2100 [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2000_2100_2100a_technical_summary.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2000, AlphaServer 2100, and AlphaServer 2100A Technical Summary}}, p. 5)] * A low profile rackmount version, the AlphaServer 2100A LP, was also sold; [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2100a_lp_owners_guide.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2100A LP Installation/Owner's/Service Guide}})] Digital announced the 5/375 option for it on 7 November 1996 [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/biz-digital-announce-mbox/googlegroups-1996-November.mbox#L502|"Press/Digital Reduces Prices, Adds Power to Midrange AlphaServer Systems"]], Digital Press and Analysts News, biz.digital.announce, 8 Nov 1996)] * The eight PCI slots are split by an onboard DECchip 21050 PCI-to-PCI bridge: physical slots 4 to 7, the bottom four, are in front of the bridge on the primary PCI bus, and physical slots 0 to 3, the top four, are behind it on the secondary bus [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2100a_hardware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2100A Hardware Release Notes}}, EK-2100A-CL.C02, June 1996, p. 1)] * Although the system has three EISA slots, it reuses the AlphaServer 2100's EISA Configuration Utility file, so the ECU shows eight EISA slots; slots 4 to 7 in the ECU, and a power-up ''ECU error, slot 0, found DEC2A01, expected nothing'' message, should be ignored [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2100a_hardware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2100A Hardware Release Notes}}, pp. 3-4)] * Rackmount systems take a second power supply for redundancy. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2100a_hardware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2100A Hardware Release Notes}}, p. 4)] ==== Firmware ==== The KZPSM and KZPDA PCI adapters need SRM 4.4 or later to work behind the PCI bridge. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2100a_hardware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2100A Hardware Release Notes}}, p. 1)] ==== Linux ==== Linux 6.9 was the last version to support the AlphaServer 2100A and 2000A, with ''CONFIG_ALPHA_LYNX''; Linux 6.10 removed support for processors older than the EV56 (21164A). [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/arch/alpha/kernel/sys_sable.c?h=v6.9|arch/alpha/kernel/sys_sable.c]], Linux 6.9)] [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=a4184174be36|"alpha: drop pre-EV56 support"]], Linux 6.10)] Linux 6.10 also removed the Lynx platform entirely, so current kernels do not run even on 5/375 systems with the 21164A. [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/torvalds/c/d2b1e353dacc|"alpha: sable: remove early machine support"]], Linux 6.10)] The 2100A differs from the 2100 in interrupt delivery, so the Sable support that current kernels keep for the 21164A AlphaServer 2100 does not cover it. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1999-September.mbox#L39379|"Re: AlphaServer 2100A compatability issue"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 21 Sep 1999)] * The system backplane carries an NCR 53C810 SCSI controller for the removable media bays; [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2100a_owners_guide.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2100A Owner's Guide}}, pp. 3-10 to 3-11, 3-34)] it uses the ''sym53c8xx'' driver. [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/scsi/sym53c8xx_2/sym_glue.c?h=v7.3-rc1|drivers/scsi/sym53c8xx_2/sym_glue.c]], Linux 7.3)] * The final SRM version is V5.3 (see [[software:firmware:srm#final_versions|Final versions]]). For a serial console on COM1, see [[documentation:srm#serial_console|Using the SRM Console: Serial console]]. ==== Known issues ==== * **Weight, power, and noise:** the pedestal 2100A weighs 114 kg, with a maximum usable power of two times 602 W; the rackmount unit weighs 45.4 kg. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2000_2100_2100a_technical_summary.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2000, AlphaServer 2100, and AlphaServer 2100A Technical Summary}}, p. 16)] The declared noise level is 47 dBA at the bystander position, idle or operating. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2100a_owners_guide.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2100A Owner's Guide}}, p. iv)] * At most two KFESA or KFESB EISA DSSI controllers can be fitted. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2100a_hardware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2100A Hardware Release Notes}}, p. 2)] * These options are not supported at all: the DE422-SA EISA Ethernet card, DE425-AA EISA network card, DJ-ML200 PCI NVRAM module, PB2HA-SA EISA Fast SCSI adapter, PB2SX-AA EISA Prestoserve NVRAM, and PBXGA ZLXp-E graphics adapters. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2100a_hardware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2100A Hardware Release Notes}}, p. 2)] ==== History ==== Digital did field upgrades of 2100s, with their three PCI slots, to the 2100A. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/1997-April.mbox#L20733|"SUMM: 2100 -> 2100A upgrade: What is involved"]], Guy Dallaire, alpha-osf-managers, 11 Apr 1997)] See also the notes on memory and CPU upgrades on the [[hardware:systems:sable|Sable page]]. ==== Documentation ==== ^ Document ^ Part number ^ Date ^ | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2100a_owners_guide.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2100A Owner's Guide}} | EK-2100A-OP.A01 | December 1995 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2100a_lp_owners_guide.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2100A LP System Installation/Owner's/Service Guide}} | EK-21ALP-IN.A01 | March 1996 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2000_2100_2100a_technical_summary.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2000, AlphaServer 2100, and AlphaServer 2100A Technical Summary}} | | 1996 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2x00_2100a_cpu_upgrade.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2x00/2100A CPU Upgrade}} | EK-KN470-IN.B01 | December 1995 | | {{wiki:software:firmware:alphaserver_2000_2100_2100a_firmware_reference_guide.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2000/2100/2100A Firmware Reference Guide}} | EK-AXPFW-RM.C01 | December 1995 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2100a_low_profile_rackmount_data_sheet.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2100A Low Profile Rackmount System data sheet}} | | | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2100a_rm_and_cab_data_sheet.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2100A RM and CAB systems data sheet}} | | | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2100a_service_guide.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2100A/2100A RM/2100A CAB Series Service Guide}} | EK-2100A-SV.A01 | February 1996 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2100a_hardware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2100A Hardware Release Notes}} | EK-2100A-CL.C02 | June 1996 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2100_upgrade_to_2100a.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2100 and 2100 RM, Upgrade to AlphaServer 2100A}} | EK-2100A-UP.A02 | May 1996 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2100_2100a_illustrated_parts_breakdown.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2100/2100A Series Illustrated Parts Breakdown}} | EK-SY450-IP.D01 | | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_2100:alphaserver_2x00_2100a_cpu_upgrade_rev_c.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 2x00/2100A Series CPU Upgrade}} | EK-KN470-IN.C01 | August 1996 | {{tag>hardware system 21064 21164 digital}}