AlphaServer is a series of server computers, produced from 1994 onwards by Digital Equipment Corporation, and later by Compaq and HP. AlphaServers were based on the DEC Alpha 64-bit microprocessor. Supported operating systems for AlphaServers are Tru64 UNIX (formerly Digital UNIX), OpenVMS, MEDITECH MAGICMEDITECH MAGIC on the Compaq Alpha platform. and Windows NT (on earlier systems, with AlphaBIOS ARC firmware), while enthusiasts have provided alternative operating systems such as Linux, NetBSD, OpenBSD and FreeBSD.

The Alpha processor was also used in a line of workstations, AlphaStation.

Some AlphaServer models were rebadged in white enclosures as Digital Servers for the Windows NT server market. These so-called "white box" models comprised the following: Digital Server 3300/3305: rebadged AlphaServer 800 Digital Server 5300/5305: rebadged AlphaServer 1200 Digital Server 7300/7305/7310: rebadged AlphaServer 4100

As part of the roadmap to phase out Alpha-, MIPS- and PA-RISC-based systems in favor of Itanium-based systems at HP, the most recent AlphaServer systems reached their end of general availability on 27 April 2007. The availability of upgrades and options was discontinued on 25 April 2008, approximately one year after the systems were discontinued. Support for the most recent AlphaServer systems, the DS15A, DS25, ES45, ES47, ES80 and GS1280 is being provided by HP Services as of 2008. These systems are no longer supported by HP.

Models

In approximate chronological order, the following AlphaServer models were produced:

Avanti family Model Code name # of CPUs CPU CPU MHz B-cache Chipset Max. memory Expansion Enclosure Introduced Discontinued 200 4/100 Mustang 1 21064 (EV4) 100 512 KB 21071 8 to 384 MB 1 PCI 1 or 2 PCI/ISA 1 ISA Desktop ? ? 4/166 166 ? ? 4/233 21064A (EV45) 233 ? ? 400 4/166 Mustang S 1 21064 (EV4) 166 512 KB 21071 8 to 384 MB (6x 72-pin SIMMs, 3 banks) 2 PCI 1 PCI/ISA 3 ISA Mini-tower ? ? 4/233 21064A (EV45) 233 ? ? 300 4/266 Melmac 1 21064A (EV45) 266 2 MB 21072 512 MB (8x 72-pin SIMMs, 2 banks) 1 PCI 1 PCI/ISA 1 ISA Desktop or Rack ? ?

Sable family

Model Code name # of CPUs CPU CPU MHz B-cache Chipset Memory Expansion Enclosure Introduced Discontinued 2100 4/200 Sable 1, 2, 3 or 4 21064 (EV4) 200 1 MB / CPU ? 2 GB (1 GB if 4 CPU) 3 PCI, 8 EISA Pedestal or rack ? ? 4/233 Sable45 21064A (EV45) 233 1 MB / CPU ? ? ? 4/275 275 4 MB / CPU ? ? ? 5/250 Gamma-Sable 21164 (EV5) 250 4 MB / CPU ? ? ? 5/300 291 ? ? ? 5/375 21164A (EV56) 375 ? ? ? 2000 4/200 Demi-Sable 1 or 2 21064 EV4 190 1 MB / CPU ? 640 MB 3 PCI, 7 EISA, 1 PCI/EISA Pedestal ? ? 4/233 Demi-Sable45 21064A (EV45) 233 1 MB / CPU ? 1 GB 3 PCI, 7 EISA ? ? 4/275 275 4 MB / CPU ? ? ? 5/250 Demi-Gamma 21164 (EV5) 250 4 MB / CPU ? ? ? 5/300 291 ? ? ? 5/375 21164A (EV56) 375 4 or 8 MB / CPU ? ? ?

The AlphaServer 2100 was briefly sold as the Digital 2100 before the AlphaServer brand was introduced.

Mikasa family Model Code name # of CPUs CPU CPU MHz B-cache Chipset Memory Expansion Enclosure Introduced Discontinued 1000 4/200 Mikasa 1 21064 (EV4) 200 2 MB 21071 512 MB2 PCI, 1 PCI/EISA, 7 EISAPedestal or Rack ? ? 4/233 Mikasa+ 21064A (EV45) 233 21071 ? 1995 ? 4/266 266 21071 1 GB (20× 72-pin SIMMs, 4 banks) ? ? 5/300 Mikasa-Pinnacle 21164 (EV5) 300 ? ? ? Each bank contained five SIMMs. The initial four SIMMs were used for data; the fifth SIMM was used for ECC. AlphaServer 1000 Service Guide EK-DTLSV-SV. B01, page 5-2

Noritake family Model Code name # of CPUs CPU CPU MHz B-cache Chipset Memory Expansion Enclosure Introduced Discontinued 1000A 4/233 Noritake 1 21064A (EV45) 233 2 MB 21071 1 GB (20x 72-pin SIMMs, 4 banks) 7 PCI 2 ISA Pedestal or Rack ? ? 4/266 266 21071 ? ? 5/300 Noritake-Pinnacle 21164 (EV5) 300 ? ? ? 5/333 333 21171 ? ? 5/400 Noritake-Primo 21164A (EV56) 400 21171 ? ? 5/500 500 8 MB ? 1997-04-14Davis, Jim (1997-04-14). "Digital makes servers available". CNET News. ? 800 5/333 Corelle 1 21164A (EV56) 333 2 MB 21171 2 GB (8x ECC EDO DIMMs, 2 banks) 3 PCI 2 EISA 1 PCI-X/EISA Mini-tower (can be converted to Rack) 1997-04-14 ? 5/400 400 21171 ? 5/500 500 21171 1997-10-27 ?5 modules per bank, 5th module used for ECC, later 1000A 5/500 systems have 16 slots, 4 modules with ECC per bankAlphaServer 1000A Technical Summary, page 6AlphaServer 800 Service Guide EK–ASV80–SG. A01

Rawhide family Model Code name # of CPUs CPU CPU MHz B-cache / CPU Chipset Memory Expansion Enclosure Introduced Discontinued 4000 5/300 Wrangler/Durango Up to two 21164 (EV5) 300 2 MB ? 4 GB 8-16 PCI (including 3 shared PCI/EISA) Pedestal/Rack 1996-09-04Davis, Jim (1996-09-04). "DEC: more power, less money". CNET News. ? 5/400 21164A (EV56) 400 4 MB ? ? 5/466 466 4 MB ? ? ? 5/533 533 4 MB ? 1997-10-27Davis, Jim (1997-10-27). "Digital has new Alpha, Intel servers". CNET News. ? 5/600 600 8 MB ? ? ? 4100 5/300E Dodge Up to four 21164 (EV5) 300 None Custom 32 MB to 8 GB 5 PCI, 3 PCI/EISA Pedestal/Rack ? ? 5/300 300 2 MB ? ? 5/400 21164A (EV56) 400 4 MB ? ? 5/466 466 ? ? 5/533 533 ? ? 5/600 600 8 MB ? ? 1200 5/400 Tincup Up to two 21164A (EV56) 400 4 MB / proc. ? 4 GB 4 PCI-X, 1 PCI, 1PCI-X/EISA Pedestal 1997-10-27 ? 5/533 533 ? ?

Turbolaser family Model Code name # of CPUs CPU CPU MHz B-cache / CPU Chipset Memory Expansion Enclosure Introduced Discontinued82005/300TurboLaser2 to 6EV53004 MB Custom ASICs12 GB132 PCI slots, 8 EISA slots Rack1995-04-11?5/350350??5/440EV564374 MB??5/625612??84005/300TurboLaserUp to 12 (later 14)EV53004 MB Custom ASICs28 GB144 PCI, 8 EISA, XMI Cabinet1995-04-11?5/350350??5/440EV564374 MB??5/625612??GS606/525TL62 to 6EV65254 MB?12 GB132 PCI, 8 EISARack1998-10-19Shankland, Stephen (1998-10-19). "Compaq rolls out Alpha server". CNET News.?6/700EV677008 MB? 1999-11-11? GS60E 6/525 TL6 2 to 6 (later 8) EV6 525 4 MB ? 12 GB 132 PCI, 8 EISA Rack 1999-07-19 ? 6/700 EV67 700 8 MB ? 1999-11-11 ?GS1406/525TL62 to 14EV65254 MB?28 GB144 PCI, 8 EISA, 24 XMICabinet1998-10-19?6/700EV677008 MB? 1999-11-11?

Lynx family Model Code name # of CPUs CPU CPU MHz B-cache Chipset Memory Expansion Enclosure Introduced Discontinued2000A Demi-Lynx (EV45),Demi-Gamma-Lynx (EV5) Up to two EV45, EV5 or EV56 233, 250, 275, 300, 375, 400 ? ? ? ? Pedestal ? ? 2100A 4/275 Lynx Up to 4 21064A (EV45) 275 4 MB ? 2 GB, 1 GB for 4 CPU 8 PCI, 3 EISA Pedestal ? ? 5/250 Gamma-Lynx 21164 (EV5) 250 4 MB ? ? ? 5/300 300 ? ? ? 5/375 375 8 MB ? ? ?

Tsunami family Model Code name # of CPUs CPU CPU MHz B-cache Chipset Memory Expansion Enclosure Introduced DiscontinuedDS106/466WebBrick1EV64662 MB21272 (Tsunami)Exploring Alpha Power for Technical Computing Compaq Technology Brief2 GB3 PCI-X, 1 PCIdesktop1999-05-10?67/600EV676002 MB21272 (Tsunami)??DS10L6/466Slate1EV64662 MB21272 (Tsunami)1 GB1 PCI-XRack (1U)??6/600EV676002 MB21272 (Tsunami)2000-04-10Announcing enhanced high availability AlphaServer systems and new NonStop™ eBusiness solutions?DS206/500GoldrushUp to 221264 (EV6)5004 MB?4 GB5PCI-X, 1 PCI-X/ISApedestal/Rack1999-01-02New Compaq AlphaServer DS20 Boasts 64-Bit Alpha Power, Entry-Level PriceCompaq AlphaServer DS20 System?DS20E6/500GoldrackUp to 2EV65004 MB21272 (Tsunami)4 GB5PCI-X, 1 PCI-X/ISApedestal/Rack??6/667EV676678 MB21272 (Tsunami)2000-04-10? 68/833 EV68AL 833 8 MB ? 2001-07-16 ?DS20L68/833Shark2EV68AL8334 MB21271(Tsunami)2 GB2 PCI-X Rack (1U) 2001-07-16 ?ES406/500ClipperUp to 4EV65004 MB21272(Tsunami/Typhoon)AlphaServer ES40Service Guide (Order Number:EK–ES240–SV. A01), Appendix D - 21264 (EV6) internal processor registers, 21272 (Tsunami/Typhoon) system support chipset registers, dual-port RAM registersModel 1: 16 GBModel 2: 32 GBAlphaServer ES40 Technical SummaryModel 1: 6 PCI-XModel 2: 10 PCI-Xpedestal/Rack1999-04-22Announcing the Compaq AlphaServer ES40 systemCompaq AlphaServer ES40 product information?6/667EV676678 MB21272(Tsunami/Typhoon)AlphaServer ES40 Service Guide (Order Number:EK–ES240–SV. B01), Appendix D - 21264 (EV6/EV67) internal processor registers, 21272 (Tsunami/Typhoon) system support chipset registers, dual-port RAM registers2000-04-10?68/833EV68AL8338 MB? 2001-02-12?

Titan family Model Code name # of CPUs CPU CPU MHz B-cache Chipset Memory Expansion Enclosure Introduced Discontinued DS15 68/1000 HyperBrick 1 EV68CB 1000 2 MB ? 4 GB 4 PCI-X 33 MHz or 2 PCI-X 66 MHz Tower 2003-10-20 2007-04-27 DS25 68/1000 Granite Up to 2 EV68CB 1000 8 MB ? 16 GB 6 PCI-X Tower/5U Rack 2002-08-04ComputerWire (2002-08-04). "HP refreshes midrange PA, Alpha servers". The Register. ? ES45 68/1000 Privateer Up to 4 EV68CB 1000 8 MB ? 1: Up to 16 GB2: Up to 32 GB 1: AGP 4x, 6 PCI-X2: 10 PCI-X Pedestal/8U Rack, tower ? ? 68/1250 1250 16 MB ? 2002-08-04 ?

Wildfire family Model Code name # of CPUs CPU CPU MHz B-cache Chipset Memory Expansion Enclosure Introduced Discontinued GS80 Wildfire Model 4: 2 to 4 Model 8: 2 to 8 21264A <br/ > (EV67) 731 4 MB Custom Up to 64 GB 33 MHz PCI-X: Up to 16 buses, 56 slots Rack 2000-05-16New AlphaServer GS Systems Set Standard for RISC Servers Press Release ? 21264C (EV68CB) 1001 4, 8 MB ? ? 1224 4, 8, 16 MB 2002-08-04 ? GS160 Wildfire Model 8: 2 to 8 Model 16: 2 to 16 21264A (EV67) 731 4 MB Custom Up to 128 GB 33 MHz PCI-X: Up to 32 buses, 112 slots Rack(s) 2000-05-16 ? 21264C (EV68CB) 1001 4, 8 MB ? ? 1224 4, 8, 16 MB 2002-08-04 ? GS320 Wildfire Model 24: 2 to 24 Model 32: 2 to 32 21264A (EV67) 731 4 MB Custom Up to 256 GB 33 MHz PCI-X: Up to 64 buses, 224 slots Rack(s) 2000-05-16 ? 21264C (EV68CB) 1001 4, 8 MB ? ? 1224 4, 8, 16 MB 2002-08-04 ?

AlphaServer SC Model Code name # of CPUs CPU CPU MHz B-cache Chipset Max. Memory Expansion Enclosure Introduced Discontinued SC20 68/833 ? 8 to 256 21264B EV68AL 833 2 MB ? 2 GB/node 2 PCI-X Rack(s) 2002-05-02Announcing the HP AlphaServer DS20L compute engine and the HP AlphaServer SC20 supercomputer ? SC40 67/667 Sierra 64 to 512 21264A EV67 667 8 MB ? 24 GB/node 10 PCI-X Rack(s) 1999-11-17Compaq (1999-11-17). Compaq Flexes Alpha Muscle with Launch of New "Supercomputer" – the AlphaServer SC Series. Press Release ? SC40 68/833 21264B EV68AL 833 ? ? ? SC45 68/1250 Sierra 16 to 4096 21264C EV68CB 1250 16 MB ? 32 GB/node 10 PCI-X Rack(s) ? ? The AlphaServer SC was a supercomputer constructed from a set of individual DS20L, ES40 or ES45 servers (called "nodes") mounted in racks. Every node was connected to every other node using a Quadrics elan3 interconnect and the systems were designed and used primarily for high-performance technical computing. An AlphaServer SC45 supercomputer was still ranked #6 in the world as late as November 2004.

Marvel family ModelCode name# ofCPUsCPUCPU MHzScacheChipsetMemoryExpansionEnclosureCPU DrawersIntroducedDiscontinuedES47Hewlett-Packard (2004-06-01). HP AlphaServer ES47/ES80/GS1280 User Information Version 3.0. HP AlphaServer ES47/ES80/GS1280 User Information Version 3.0? 1 to 221364(EV7)100011501.75 MB? Up to 16 GB 1 AGP5 PCI/PCI-X slots Tower n/a2003-01-20HP Press Release (2003-01-20). "HP Introduces Most Powerful Generation of AlphaServer Systems". HP Press Release.2007-04-27 1 to 4 Up to 32 GB Up to 4 AGPUp to 32 PCI/PCI-X slots Rack 1 to 22-CPU drawers ES80 ? 4 to 8 21364(EV7) 10001150 1.75 MB ? Up to 64 GB Up to 8 AGPUp to 64 PCI/PCI-X slots Rack 1 to 42-CPU drawers 2003-01-20 2007-04-27GS1280?8 to 64 21364(EV7) 1150 1.75 MB?Up to 512 GBUp to 64 AGPUp to 704 PCI/PCI-X slotsRack(s)1 to 88-CPU drawers 2003-01-20 2007-04-27 21364EV7z 1300 ? 2004-08-16 2007-04-27

The AlphaServer GS1280 originally supported a maximum of 16 microprocessors. In October 2003, the number of microprocessors supported was increased to 64 and the supported memory capacity was doubled to 8 GB per microprocessor.

References

External links

HP AlphaServer range DIGITAL Product Catalogue Winter 1997, Digital Equipment International, 1997. Compaq Alpha System and Model Code Names (at archive.org)