Sun SPARCstation IPC

The SPARCstation IPC is a small SPARC based computer in a lunchbox type case. Its very similar to the SPARCstation 1+ (uses the same CPU).

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This was my first Sun computer which I got for free in September 2005. It came with a Sun GDM-1662B (mono?) display, three external 1.3GB hard disks, three tape drives (two exabyte 8mm, one QIC), optical mouse (without special mouse pad), keyboard, and SCSI cables but no 13w3 video cable. The monitor was banished to a shed and its current status is unknown. One of the 1.3GB disks eventually failed so was dumped (though the case was kept). Since then its NVRAM chip has been "repaired" and its Power Supply recapped.

Power Supply Warning

All lunchbox form-factor SPARCstations including the IPC (and especially the model 811 drive enclosures of the same size) must have their power supplies checked for leaking capacitors. Don't assume the PSU is fine just because it still works as the corrosive electrolyte can make quite a mess when (not if) it starts leaking. If you can detect an unpleasant fishy-like smell coming from the PSU the capacitors have probably already started leaking and action should be taken sooner rather than later to limit the damage. If it currently works, looks and smells fine you should probably still plan to replace the capacitors - its a much easier and more pleasant job to do while the electrolyte is still inside the the capacitors rather than all over the board.

The Glitch Works has a guide on Recapping the SPARCstation IPC Power Supply complete with part numbers for replacement capacitors, though as of 2023 some of the replacement parts have been discontinued so you may need to find suitable subsititutes. I went through this in March 2023 restoring my SPARCstation IPC to working condition. With the parts on hand and a desoldering gun the process took around two hours assuming the capacitors haven't already started leaking.

Hardware Information

SPARCstation IPC (4/40)
        Processor(s):   MB86901A or LSI L64801 @ 25MHz, 13.8 SPECint92,
                        11.1 SPECfp92, 327 SPECintRate92, 263
                        SPECfpRate92
        CPU:            501-1689/1690/1835
        Chassis type:   lunchbox
        Bus:            SBus, 2 slots
        Memory:         48M physical; 64K write-through cache,
                        direct-mapped, virtually indexed, virtually
                        tagged, 16-byte lines
        Architecture:   sun4c
        Notes:          Code name "Phoenix". 1M or 4M x 9 30-pin 80ns
                        SIMMs. Onboard mono frame buffer. 1.44M 3.5"
                        floppy.

Serial Port

With no keyboard connected, serial port A should be treated as the console where you'll see POST, the OpenBoot firmware and perhaps even the operating system. If you don't have an appropriate cable, one designed for a macintosh should work

Graphics

The SPARCstation IPC uses a monochrome framebuffer capable of the following resolutions:

ALALOG FRAME BUFFER	H-SYNC	V-SYNC
1152x900	61.8KHz	66Hz
1152x900	71.7KHz	76Hz
1024x800	71.7KHz	85Hz
1022x1000	81.8KHz	76Hz

Motherboard

Click on the image for an alternative version that lists a few of the chips and their functions

Documentation

Some parts (or all of it, ive not had a change to look at it yet) of the manual may be found below:

ZXnet