SGI Origin 3000 and Onyx 3000
| Company type | Computer systems |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computing hardware |
| Predecessor | Origin 2000, Onyx2 |
| Founded | July 2000 |
| Defunct | Origin 3000: December 2006; Onyx 3000: March 2005 |
| Successor | Altix 3000 (Origin 3000), Onyx4 and Prism (Onyx 3000) |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Origin 3000 server systems, Onyx 3000 visualization systems |
| Parent | Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI) |
The Origin 3000 and Onyx 3000 represent mid- to high-tier computing systems engineered by SGI. The Origin 3000 functions primarily as a server platform, whereas the Onyx 3000 is tailored for sophisticated visualization tasks. Both were introduced in July 2000 as successors to the Origin 2000 and Onyx2 models, respectively, running on the IRIX 6.5 Advanced Server Environment. Entry-level versions featuring similar architectures but distinct hardware configurations were marketed under the names Origin 300 and Onyx 300. The Origin 3000 series was succeeded by the Altix 3000 line in 2004 and was officially discontinued by December 2006. Meanwhile, the Onyx 3000 was replaced by the Onyx4 and the Itanium-based Prism in 2004, with production ceasing in March 2005.
Models
| Model | CPUs | Memory | Chassis | Introduced | Discontinued |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Origin 3200 | 2 to 8 | 512 MB to 16 GB | Single short rack | ? | 31 March 2004 |
| Origin 3400 | 4 to 32 | 512 MB to 16 GB | Single tall rack | ? | 31 March 2004 |
| Origin 3800 | 16 to 512 | 2 GB to 1 TB | Up to sixteen tall racks | ? | 31 March 2004 |
| Origin 3900 | 4 to 512 | 1 GB to 1 TB | Up to four tall racks | ? November 2002 | 29 December 2006 |
Special
- Origin 3200C – A scalable cluster configuration composed of multiple Origin 3200 nodes, capable of supporting thousands of processors interconnected via gigabit Ethernet and Infiniband links.
The physical structure of the Origin 3000 consists of modular "bricks"—rack-mounted units dedicated to particular roles—interlinked through NUMAlink 3 cables for computational modules or Crosstown2 cables for input/output modules. These bricks are designed to fit standard-sized racks measuring either 17U (short) or 39U (tall).
From an architectural standpoint, the Origin 3000 implements a distributed shared memory system based on NUMAflex technology, utilizing NUMAlink 3 within a network topology that combines elements of a fat tree and a hypercube.
C-brick
The C-brick is a compact, three-unit (3U) chassis that contains a node mounted on a PCB. This node includes two or four processors, local memory, directory memory, and the Bedrock ASIC. Connectivity to the overall system is achieved through NUMAlink 3 interfaces.
Processor
Processors along with their secondary caches are mounted on PIMM (Processor Integrated Memory Module) daughter cards that connect via two separate sets of dual inline connectors with a total of two hundred forty pins each. Initial configurations featured CPUs running at either 360 MHz (R12000) or at 400 MHz (R12000A) with cache sizes of either four or eight megabytes. Subsequent upgrades introduced faster processors such as the 500 MHz R14000 (equipped with eight megabytes of cache), followed by the 600 MHz R14000A, and eventually processors reaching speeds up to 800 MHz.
Local and directory memory
Each C-brick supports between half a gigabyte and eight gigabytes of local memory distributed over eight DIMM slots that utilize proprietary ECC DDR SDRAM modules operating at one hundred megahertz. These DIMMs come in capacities of 256 MB, 512 MB, or one GB. The data bus linking these DIMMs to the Bedrock ASIC spans one hundred forty-four bits (comprising one hundred twenty-eight data bits plus sixteen bits for ECC). Unlike its predecessor, the Origin 2000—which used separate proprietary DIMMs for directory memory—the directory memory responsible for cache coherency is integrated within these DIMMs. There are two categories of DIMMs: standard types supporting up to one hundred twenty-eight processors, and premium types intended for systems exceeding that processor count. The standard module is the two hundred fifty-six megabyte DIMM, while the one gigabyte module is classified as premium; the five hundred twelve megabyte DIMM can serve as either type depending on configuration.
Bedrock ASIC
The Bedrock ASIC functions as a crossbar switch that connects processors, local and directory memory, and Crosstown2 I/O with NUMAlink 3. It is composed of six components: the crossbar (XB), two processor interfaces (PI_0, PI_1), a memory/directory interface (MD), an I/O interface (II), and a network interface (NI). These interfaces interact via FIFO buffers linked to the crossbar. Acting as the memory controller, this ASIC manages a single 1.6 GB/s interface per PIMM, enabling support for two processors independently while optimizing performance within bandwidth limits.
CX-brick
The CX-brick is a 4U chassis utilized exclusively in Origin 3900 and Onyx 3900 systems. Unlike the C-brick, it accommodates four node boards along with an eight-port router ASIC, supporting up to 16 processors and 32 GB of memory. Initially, it featured the IP53 motherboard designed for 500 MHz and 600 MHz R14000/R14000A processors equipped with 8 MB secondary caches; later versions added compatibility with R16000 and R16000A processors. Connectivity is provided through NUMAlink 3.
R-brick
The R-brick is a 2U chassis containing an eight-port router ASIC responsible for routing NUMAlink packets between C-bricks. In Origin 3400 configurations, two ports are disabled to restrict upgrades to Origin 3800 systems.
I-brick
The I-brick is a 4U chassis supplying boot I/O capabilities for Origin 3000 systems. It offers five hot-swappable PCI-X slots—three operating at 33 MHz and two at 66 MHz on separate buses—alongside two sled-mounted 3.5-inch Fibre Channel drives and a proprietary CD-ROM drive. Additional ports include a 10/100BASE-T Ethernet connection, IEEE 1394, serial port, dual USB ports, real-time clock, and NVRAM for configuration storage managed through the IO9. Connection to the system is established via Crosstown2.
IX-brick
The IX-brick is a 4U chassis found solely in Origin 3900 and Onyx 3900 systems. It serves as an upgrade to the I-brick by featuring PCI-X slots running at 133 MHz and connects using Crosstown2 cables.
P-brick
The P-brick is a 4U enclosure that provides twelve PCI-X expansion slots distributed over six buses, linking to the system through Crosstown2 cables.
PX-brick
Exclusive to Origin 3900 and Onyx 3900 systems, the PX-brick is a 4U enclosure that enhances the P-brick by offering PCI-X slots operating at 133 MHz, with connections made via Crosstown2 cables.
X-brick
The X-brick is a 4U chassis providing four XIO expansion slots and connects through Crosstown2 cables.
D-brick
The D-brick is a 4U enclosure designed to support twelve hot-swappable Fibre Channel hard drives arranged over two Fibre Channel loops.
Onyx 3000
Onyx 3000 refers to Origin 3000 systems integrated with standard graphics hardware located in G-bricks (containing InfiniteReality3 or InfiniteReality4 graphics pipelines) or V-bricks (equipped with InfinitePerformance VPro graphics). The quantity of G- or V-bricks scales proportionally with C-bricks; however, mixing these graphics options within one system is not supported. The initial Onyx 3000 models employed InfiniteReality3 graphics paired with R14000 processors.
Models
}G-brick
The G-brick is an 18U chassis designed to accommodate the InfiniteReality graphics system. It can contain two InfiniteReality3 or InfiniteReality4 graphics pipelines; one pipeline supports four raster manager boards, while the other supports two. Connection between units is established using Crosstown2 cables.
V-brick (InfinitePerformance)
The V-brick is a compact 4U chassis that houses a pair of InfinitePerformance graphics pipelines, each equipped with a 128 MB SGI VPro V12 graphics card. These units are interconnected through Crosstown2 cables.
N-brick
The N-brick is a 2U, space-efficient enclosure intended to link C-bricks directly to G-bricks without the use of X- or I-bricks, specifically designed for setups that do not require I/O capabilities.
| Model | # of CPUs | Memory | Graphics | # of pipes | Chassis | Introduced | Discontinued |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onyx 3200 | 4 to 8 | 512 MB to 16 GB | InfiniteReality | 1 or 2 | 1 tall rack | 31 January 2000 | 31 March 2004 |
| Onyx 3200 | 4 to 8 | 512 MB to 16 GB | InfinitePerformance | 1 | 1 short rack | ? | 31 March 2004 |
| Onyx 3400 | 4 to 32 | 512 MB to 64 GB | InfiniteReality | 1 to 8 | 2+ racks | ? | ? |
| Onyx 3400 | 6 to 32 | 1 to 64 GB | InfinitePerformance | 1 to 4 | 1+ tall rack(s) | ? | ? |
| Onyx 3800 | 16 to 128 | 2 to 256 GB | InfiniteReality | 1 to 16 | 3+ tall racks | ? | 31 March 2004 |
| Onyx 3800 | 16 to 128 | 2 to 256 GB | InfinitePerformance | 1 to 4 | 2+ tall racks | ? | 31 March 2004 |
| Onyx 3900 | 16 to 512 | 2 GB to 1 TB | InfiniteReality | 4 to 16 | ? | ? November 2002 | 25 March 2005 |
| Onyx 3900 | 16 to 512 | 2 GB to 1 TB | InfinitePerformance | 4 to 16 | ? | ? November 2002 | 25 March 2005 |