JavaStation

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The JavaStation was a Network Computer (NC) developed by Sun Microsystems between 1996 and 2000 intended to run only Java applications.

The hardware is based on the design of the Sun SPARCstation series, a very successful line of UNIX computer workstations. The JavaStation, as a NC, lacks a hard drive, floppy or CD-ROM drive. It also differs from other Sun systems in having PS/2 keyboard and mouse interfaces and a VGA monitor connector.

[edit] Models

There were several models of the JavaStation produced, some being pre-production variants produced in very small numbers.

Production models comprised:

• JavaStation-1 (part number JJ-xx), codenamed Mr. Coffee: based on a 110 MHz MicroSPARC IIe CPU, this was housed in a cuboidal Sun "unidisk" enclosure.
• JavaStation-NC or JavaStation-10 (part number JK-xx) codenamed Krups: a redesigned Mr. Coffee with a 100 MHz MicroSPARC IIep CPU and enhanced video resolution and color capabilities. Krups was housed in a striking curved vertically-oriented enclosure.

Models produced only as prototypes or in limited numbers included:

• JavaStation/Fox: a prototype of the Mr Coffee: essentially a repackaged SPARCstation 4 Model 110.
• JavaStation-E (part number JE-xx) codenamed Espresso: a Krups with PCI slots and a non-functional ATA interface in a restyled enclosure.
• Dover: a JavaStation based on PC compatible hardware, with a Cyrix MediaGXm CPU.
• JavaEngine-1: an ATX form-factor version of Krups for embedded systems.
• A 68030-based system designed by Diba, Inc. (later acquired by Sun) circa 1996, which could be considered a very early JavaStation-like system.

In addition, Sun envisioned a third-generation "Super JavaStation" after Krups, with a JavaChip co-processor for native Java bytecode execution. This was probably only ever vaporware.

[edit] Operating Systems

The JavaStation comes with JavaOS in the flash memory, but it's also possible to install Linux or NetBSD on the JavaStation.

[edit] External links

• JavaStation Linux HOWTO
• NetBSD/sparc JavaStation information