SPARCstation IPC (Sun 4/40)
Gallery
Image taken from product brochure - ©Sun
Technical Specifications
| Model: | SPARCstation IPC (Sun 4/40) |
|---|---|
| Codename: Platform: |
Phoenix sun4c |
| Processor: Math Copro: |
Fujitsu MB86901A or LSI L64801 Weitek 3170 (or 3172) |
| Clock Speed: | 25MHz |
| RAM: | max. 48MB |
| Graphics: | onboard mono framebuffer |
| Operating System: | SunOS 4.0.3c to 5.7 (Solaris 7) - Linux, NetBSD, OpenBSD |
| Introduced: | August 1990 |
| Dealer price (net): | 16.790DM (8MB RAM, 207 MB HD) (Dec. 1990) |
The SPARCstation IPC: Sun's Compact 'Lunchbox'
Sun Microsystems released the SPARCstation IPC (code-named "Phoenix" or Sun 4/40) in July 1990. Unlike the earlier "pizza box" cases of the SPARCstation 1 and 1+, the IPC used a taller enclosure commonly referred to as a "lunchbox." This design changed the internal layout and reduced the computer's desktop footprint.
The system is built on the sun4c architecture and uses a 25 MHz Fujitsu MB86901A or LSI L64801 SPARC processor, delivering performance comparable to the SPARCstation 1+. The hardware includes SBus expansion slots, integrated Ethernet, and audio support.
The machine typically ran SunOS—and later Solaris—for software development, network client access, and general Unix computing. Like other sun4c systems, the IPC relies on an NVRAM chip with a built-in battery to store settings like the host ID and MAC address. When this battery dies, the system requires manual intervention to boot, making it a routine maintenance issue for surviving units.
Sun later used the same lunchbox chassis for the SPARCstation IPX as part of offering different sizes and performance tiers across the SPARCstation line.