Sun Ultra 25

Sun Ultra 25

[Vin181]

The Sun Ultra 25 workstation, released around 2007, stands out in vintage computing history for its role as an entry-level SPARC/Solaris system that delivered reliable Unix performance in a compact tower form, succeeding models like the Sun Blade 1500 with upgrades to UltraSPARC IIIi processors (up to 1.34 GHz), support for 8 GB ECC memory, dual Gigabit Ethernet, and PCI Express graphics like the XVR-2500 for 3D visualization. Its claim to fame lies in bridging high-end workstation capabilities with affordability for sectors like education, CAD, scientific computing, and government, emphasizing dense SATA/SAS storage (up to 1 TB internally) and robust I/O for handling complex datasets. In a university museum context, it exemplifies Sun Microsystems’ late-era push for accessible RISC/Unix power before Oracle’s acquisition, making it valuable for demos of Solaris ecosystems and SPARC architecture’s legacy in networked computing.

• Manufacturer: Sun Microsystems
• Model: Ultra 25
• Type: Desktop
• Released: 2007
• Original Pricing: ~$4,000 (adjusted for inflation in CAD)
• MIPS: 20-30

Hardware Specifications

• Processor: Single Sun UltraSPARC IIIi at 1.34 GHz with 1 MB L2 cache.​
• Memory: Up to 8 GB ECC DDR-1 (4 DIMM slots).​
• Expansion Slots: Two PCI-Express x16 (electrically x8), one PCI-Express x8 (electrically x4), two PCI-X 100 MHz/64-bit.​
• Storage: Up to four internal SATA (250 GB each) or SAS (146 GB, 15K rpm) drives; standard 160 GB SATA.​
• Networking: Dual 10/100/1000 Base-T Gigabit Ethernet ports.​
• Graphics: Supported Sun XVR-300, XVR-2500 accelerators; up to two in PCI-Express slots.​
• Ports: Six USB 2.0, two FireWire, two serial, AC97 audio.​
• Optical Drive: DVD-ROM/CD-RW.​
• Power Supply: 300-1000W.​
• Weight: Approximately 15-20 kg

Operating System & Programming Languages 

• O/S:  Solaris 10
• Programming Languages:
  • C/C++: Via Sun Studio 11 compiler suite, preinstalled for high-performance computing and Solaris development.​
  • Java: Through Sun Java Studio Creator, Enterprise, and NetBeans IDE, optimized for web and enterprise apps.​
  • Fortran: Included in Sun Studio 11 for scientific and engineering workloads common on SPARC systems.​
  • Unix shells like Bourne, Korn, and Bash for scripting; additional languages via packages, such as Python or Perl on Solaris.

Notables

• SUN computers were used extensively at the HPCVL (High Performance Computing Virtual Laboratory) and the Paradigm Laboratory at the School of Computer Science at Carleton University supervised by Dr. Jörg-Rüdiger Sack
• Entry-level SPARC workstation succeeding Sun Blade 150/1500, introducing PCI-Express graphics and SATA/SAS storage for denser, faster I/O in Unix environments.​
• One of the last Sun-designed SPARC systems before Oracle acquisition, retaining binary compatibility for legacy Solaris apps in education, CAD, and defense.​
• Emphasized N1 Grid Engine for clustering idle workstations, pioneering resource pooling in mid-2000s enterprise computing

Donated by: Dr. Jörg-Rüdiger Sack