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HP X-Terminals

From Alfawiki
HP X-Terminals
Company typeProduct line
IndustryComputer hardware
Founded1990s
FounderHewlett Packard
FateDiscontinued
Headquarters
Palo Alto
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsX terminal devices (700/X, 700/RX, Envizex, Entria, Envizex II, Entria II)
OwnerHewlett Packard
ParentHewlett Packard

HP X-Terminals constitute a series of X terminal devices developed by Hewlett Packard during the early to mid-1990s. This lineup includes models such as the 700/X, 700/RX, Envizex, Entria, along with their later versions Envizex II and Entria II. These terminals were frequently paired with PA-RISC-based HP 9000 Unix workstations, allowing multiple users to connect simultaneously to a single powerful server or workstation through graphical user interfaces. They delivered high-resolution color graphics by downloading their operating system and applications directly from the host machine. Although expandability was limited across all models—typically restricted to additional input/output options and memory upgrades—HP initially utilized an Intel CISC processor before moving to RISC architectures, starting with the Intel i960 and subsequently adopting MIPS processors.

These devices serve as early instances of thin client computing, where cost-effective front-end hardware depends on centralized processing power shared among users.

700/X

The initial HP X-Terminal models featured enclosures resembling some HP 9000/300 series workstations (which were based on Motorola 68000 CPUs) and incorporated a unique CPU design combining an Intel 186 processor with a Texas Instruments DSP functioning as a video coprocessor.

  • CPU: Intel 80186 clocked at 16 MHz paired with a 60 MHz TI DSP dedicated to video processing
  • Memory: 1MB built-in RAM, expandable up to 9MB via a single slot supporting modules up to 8MB
  • Display capabilities: maximum resolution of 1024×768 pixels with 8-bit color depth
  • Connectivity: RS-232 serial port, HIL bus, two PS/2 connectors for keyboard and mouse, AUI and BNC connectors for 10 Mbit Ethernet, VGA video output

700/RX

The 700/RX series succeeded the 700/X line, introducing Intel i960 RISC processors and adopting a redesigned chassis that would be used in subsequent models. These terminals featured quiet cooling fans and came in several variants offering different video performance:

  • 16Ca: equipped with 1MB video RAM, supporting up to 1028×768 resolution at 8-bit color
  • 19Ca: includes 2MB video RAM, enabling up to 1280×1024 resolution with 8-bit color
  • 14Ci/16Ci/17Ci: all have 1MB video RAM, supporting resolutions up to 1028×768 with 8-bit color
  • 19Mi: contains 0.2MB video RAM, providing monochrome display at a maximum of 1280×1024 resolution

Shared specifications for all variants:

  • Processor: Intel i960CA running at 22 MHz with a 1KB instruction cache
  • RAM: base memory of 2MB onboard, expandable up to 34MB through two slots accommodating non-parity SIMMs up to 16MB each
  • Ports: RS-232 serial interface, HIL bus, dual PS/2 ports for keyboard and mouse, parallel printer port, AUI and BNC Ethernet (10 Mbit), VGA output
  • Expansion capability: slot available for Boot-ROM cartridge

Entria

Positioned as the budget-friendly option within the X-Terminal family, the Entria series shared its internal architecture with the 700/RX but was encased in a compact plastic housing reminiscent of the HP 9000/712 workstation. These units were distinguished by their small size and quiet operation.

Video memory configurations differed across models:

  • With 0.6 MB of video RAM: grayscale display up to 1024×768 resolution
  • With 1 MB of video RAM: color display up to 1024×768 at 8-bit depth
  • With 2 MB of video RAM: color support up to 1280×1024 resolution at 8-bit depth

Core technical details include:

  • Processor: Intel i960CA featuring a 1 KB instruction cache
  • Memory: standard configuration includes 4 MB onboard RAM expandable up to 68 MB via two slots supporting up to 32 MB each of non-parity, 72-pin SIMM modules
  • Interfaces: RS-232 serial port, two PS/2 connectors for keyboard and mouse, parallel printer port, TP and BNC connectors for 10 Mbit Ethernet, VGA output
  • Expansion options: none available

Envizex

The Envizex series followed the 700/RX terminals, preserving the slim pizzabox form factor while integrating a more powerful Intel i960 RISC processor and a low-noise internal cooling fan.

Models were distinguished primarily by CPU clock speeds:

  • i SERIES: Intel i960CF running at 25 MHz, equipped with 4 KB instruction and 1 KB data caches
  • a SERIES: Intel i960CF at 28 MHz, featuring the same cache configuration
  • p SERIES: Intel i960CF operating at 33 MHz, with identical cache sizes

Shared specifications include:

  • Memory: i and a SERIES come with 4 MB onboard RAM, expandable up to 132 MB through four slots supporting up to 32 MB each; the p SERIES starts with 6 MB onboard RAM and can be expanded to a maximum of 102 MB via three slots
  • Video memory: 2 MB VRAM enabling display resolutions up to 1280×1024 at an 8-bit color depth (the i SERIES may be limited to a maximum of 1024×768)
  • Input/output interfaces: two RS-232 serial ports, HIL interface, dual PS/2 connectors for keyboard and mouse, parallel printer port, TP Ethernet, AUI and BNC connectors for 10 Mbit Ethernet, plus VGA video output
  • Expansion capabilities include:
    • A 3.5″ floppy disk drive option
    • CD-quality audio support
    • Selection among three adapter cards: SCSI/ROM, Token Ring, or HP-specific 100VG AnyLan for 100 Mbit networking
    • Two PCMCIA slots compatible with Boot-ROM cards or SRAM cards used for font storage or local copies of the X server, which help reduce network traffic

Entria II

The Entria II terminals replaced the original Entria models, maintaining the compact plastic chassis reminiscent of the HP 9000/712 but adopting a new design architecture shared with Envizex II units. This new design incorporates a NEC R4300 CPU and utilizes PCI-based input/output.

Key technical details:

  • Processor: NEC R4300 running at 100 MHz
  • Memory: Supports up to 64 MB RAM via two slots that accept up to 32 MB 168-pin DIMM modules (compatible with PC66/100/133 standards; however, full capacity is only accessible with HP-specific larger modules)
  • Video memory: 2 MB VRAM supporting resolutions as high as 1280×1024 at an 8-bit color depth
  • Connectivity: RS-232 serial port, dual PS/2 ports for keyboard and mouse, parallel printer port, TP Ethernet (likely operating at 10 Mbit), and VGA video output
  • Expansion options: none available

Envizex II

The Envizex II terminals represent an upgraded iteration of the Entria II X-Terminals, featuring the same PCI I/O framework paired with a faster NEC R4300 MIPS processor clocked at 133 MHz. The enclosure is redesigned to be fanless, providing silent operation and straightforward maintenance access.

Specifications include:

  • CPU: NEC R4300 at 133 MHz
  • RAM: Up to 96 MB supported by three slots accepting 32 MB 168-pin DIMMs (compatible with PC66/100/133 modules; only 8 MB per module accessible when using larger capacities)
  • Video memory: Available in configurations of either 2 or 4 MB VSIMM
  • Graphics chipset: ATI Mach64
  • Maximum display resolution and color depth: Up to 1600×1200 pixels at 16-bit color
  • I/O interfaces: Two RS-232 serial ports, two PS/2 connectors, USB ports for keyboard and mouse, TP Ethernet connection, and an EVC video connector requiring an adapter for VGA monitors
  • Expansion possibilities include a 3.5″ floppy drive, audio kit featuring telephone input/output capabilities, flash DIMM card for storing boot and configuration data, PCI cards for either 100VG AnyLan or standard 100 Mbit Ethernet networking, as well as a combined BNC and AUI card to enhance the built-in network interface controller

Software

These X terminals run on HP's proprietary Netstation operating system (previously known as Enware), with certain versions built upon VxWorks to support RISC architectures.

Netstation natively supports multiple Unix platforms such as HP-UX versions 10 and 11, IBM AIX, and Solaris release series 2.x. Additionally, a universal installation image is provided that facilitates deployment on other Unix-like systems including Linux and BSD through an included installation script.

Netstation Version 7.1

Version 7.1 (HP product B.07.11) is compatible with i960 architecture terminals, including models such as the 700/RX, Entria, and Envizex. This version relies on a Unix server to initiate the terminal kernel and to load the X server through TFTP. System configuration can be handled either locally or remotely using customizable configuration files.

Netstation Version 9.0

The most recent release, version 9.0 (HP product B.09.11), supports updated MIPS-based terminals like the Entria II and Envizex II. It offers multiple boot methods, including NFS mounting, SMB sharing, or TFTP.

Additionally, version 9.0 incorporates a built-in Java runtime environment, allowing terminals to run local Java applets directly.

References

Specific references:

General references:


External links

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