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Product Datasheet
System Overview

Features and Benefits

Technical Specifications

Features
  • Processor choice of Intel Pentium 90, 120 or 150MHz
  • Dual Processor Support
  • PCI and EISA Expansion Technology
  • Integral Quad Speed CD-ROM Drive
  • Optional High Performance SmartRAID System
  • Lockable Fixed and Exchangeable Areas
  • Choice of High Performance SCSI Hard Drives
  • Up to 256MB Onboard RAM
  • Intelligent Smart-UPS System
  • UK Built

System Overview


Apricot has led the field with network-ready workstations, and is now bringing more than a decade of system-building experience to produce a server with dependable performance at a price to suit the departmental budget. For departmental business-critical applications, the FT//ex 1500 is the clear choice: it is an industry standard, desk-side server with a PCI equipped Pentium core, intelligent RAID storage and mains protection and conditioning to deliver the power, control and assured reliability needed for major workgroup and departmental applications. The new FT//ex 1500 models offer three speeds of processor, with dual processor support, boosted by a full-width secondary cache, and using a 64-bit wide interface for up to 256MB of memory.

Room for Growth

The Apricot FT//ex 1500 has the capacity and expansion capability to grow with expanding networks. By combining two high-speed bus architectures the FT//ex 1500 is equipped to meet the needs of growing business.

  • The new PCI bus architecture permits a peak throughput of 132MB/sec, ensuring that there are no bottlenecks.
  • The established EISA architecture provides a high throughput while retaining compatibility with a wide range of EISA and ISA expansion products.

All models include a PCI-based SCSI-II interface, located on the motherboard, which supports up to seven devices. An optional PCI card can be specified to increase the total number of devices, or to implement a RAID system for higher reliability. All drives in the FT//ex 1500 have been chosen for their high performance and reliability in business-critical and deliver substantial MTBF figures of up to one million power-on hours.

Full protection

As well as specifying closely-matched components of the highest quality, Apricot has provided the FT//ex 1500 with two additional features to protect both vital data and the electrical power supply.

Secure storage

When data security cannot be compromised under any circumstance, specifying the FT//ex 1500 SmartRAID option ensures consistent and efficient operation.

The SmartRAID controller operates as a PCI bus master device and drives three SCSI channels, providing support for RAID levels 0, 1 and 5. All storage operations are monitored and controlled by an on-board dedicated 68030 processor to ensure that connected drives are operating both correctly and efficiently. The intelligence of the controller means that Hot Spare capabilities are provided as standard.

The SmartRAID controller is supplied with 4MB of expandible, ECC protected SmartCache to provide a substantial performance boost in all storage operations.

As a natural partner to the SmartRAID controller, the FT//ex 1500 also provides the Apricot Hot-Plugging system. This internal backplane allows drives to be safely inserted and removed while the remainder of the RAID system continues to serve the department unhindered.

Dependable power

However effective the data protection within the server, it can count for nothing if the input power is compromised. This is why the FT//ex 1500 employs a device which ranks among the best in the field of conditioning and protection: the American Power Conversion Smart-UPS 700. This provides full clean-up and protection against fluctuations in the mains supply. In the case of a power failure, the fully-monitored internal battery system alerts you to the problem and maintains the system until external power is restored.

In control, anywhere

To save valuable maintenance time, key aspects of the FT//ex 1500's operation can be monitored and controlled remotely, using intuitive Windows-based utilities.


Features and Benefits

Pentium power

The FT//ex 1500 offers three versions of Pentium processor: 90, 120 or 150MHz models, in single or dual configuration. All versions use a unique modular system for easy upgrading.

EISA and PCI local bus expansion

Emerging network technologies such as 100Mbit/sec Ethernet and ATM, together with the rapid pace of development of disk drive technology, are driving the need for higher bandwidth within servers, The FT//ex 1500 provides three PCI slots for use by the latest generation of high performance peripherals. the free EISA slots allow access to the largest range of boards available.

SCSI-II controller

The FT//ex 1500 is equipped with an advanced SCSI-II interface system centered around the Adaptec AIC-7870 controller. SCSI-II allows sustained data transfer rates of 10 Mbytes per second to be achieved.

Multiple drivebay configuration

The FT//ex 1500 has been designed to provide eight full-height 3.5" drive bays. Each of the bays features a quick-release sledge, onto which the drives are mounted, to allow quick changeovers. Three 5.25Ó bays are provided to accommodate the CD-ROM and optional back-up devices.

Quad speed CD-ROM

A SCSI quad speed CD-ROM is provided as standard equipment, so that the FT//ex 1500 is ready to accept any of the multi-user operating systems now distributed on CD-ROM.

Easy access to all areas

Using a combination of lockable side, and double-hinged front doors, the FT//ex 1500 casing allows complete access to all areas of the system for quick configuration and maintenance, while keeping the fixed and exchangeable areas secure.

SmartRAID option

This provides fault-tolerant operation by intelligently controlling the storage of data across a number of fast access hard drives. Operating as a PCI bus master driving three SCSI channels and utilising error-corrected SmartCache RAM, the SmartRAID controller returns rapid performance results, while significantly enhancing overall reliability. Support for a Hot Spare standby drive and the Apricot Hot Plugging backplane means that server operation can be maintained while drives are installed or removed.

Smart-UPS systems

The FT//ex 1500 is protected from the hazards of fluctuating mains supplies. In addition to filtering-out potentially destructive mains spikes, the Smart-UPS guards against brown-out glitches and the more serious black-out failures. Using state-of-the-art battery and inverter technology, together with an instantaneous switch-over system, the Smart-UPS alerts you to mains black-outs, while continuing to run the FT//ex 1500 at full power for the vital period until mains power is restored or the system is shut down safely.

High capacity, high speed hard drives

The SCSI-II architecture and cavernous casing of the FT//ex 1500 allows a large range of high capacity, high performance drives to be installed. Four sizes of SCSI drive are available, 1GB, 2GB, 4GB and 5GB, giving the system a maximum capacity of 40GB.

While all of the drive options provide superior performance and reliability, the larger drives have MTBF figures of up to 1,000,000 power-on hours.

Expandable memory

All processor options are accompanied by 16MB of ram as standard. This is expandable to 256MB. Industry standard SIMM modules are used throughout.

350W power supply

A heavy duty, switched mode 350 watt power supply ensures that even when fully expanded, the FT//ex 1500Õs need for power is more than satisfied.


Technical Specifications

FT//ex 1500 590 5120 5150
Processor Processor Processor Processor
Type Pentium Pentium Pentium
Clock speed (Internal) 90MHz 120MHz 150MHz
Clock speed (External) 60MHz 60MHz 60MHz
Internal cache 2x8KB 2x8KB 2x8KB
Coprocessor Integral Integral Integral
Data/address bus 64/32-bits 64/32-bits 64/32-bits
Upgradeable to Dual 90MHz Dual 120MHz Dual 150MHz
CPU socket type 273-pin LIF & 273-pin LIF & 273-pin LIF &
320-pin ZIP upgrade 320-pin ZIP upgrade 320-pin ZIP upgrade
Core Logic chipset Intel Mercury Intel Mercury Intel Mercury
External cache External cache External cache External cache
Supplied 512KB 512KB 512KB
Mapping Direct Direct Direct
Writing scheme Write through Write through Write through
Cache speed 15ns 15ns 15ns
RAM RAM RAM RAM
Supplied 16MB 16MB 16MB
Maximum 256MB 256MB 256MB
Type 36-bit EDO SIMM 36-bit EDO SIMM 36-bit EDO SIMM
Speed 70ns 70ns 70ns
Fitted RAM location SIMM sockets SIMM sockets SIMM sockets
(motherboard & processor card) (motherboard & processor card) (motherboard & processor card)
Parity Checked Checked Checked
Sockets: total 8 8 8
free 6 6 6
Sizes supported:
bank 0 & bank 1 8, 16 & 32MB 8, 16 & 32MB 8, 16 & 32MB
Sizes supported:
processor card 8, 16 & 32MB 8, 16 & 32MB 8, 16 & 32MB
ROM ROM ROM ROM
Size 128KB 128KB 128KB
Type Flash ROM Flash ROM Flash ROM
Shadowable Yes Yes Yes
Graphics (standard) Graphics (standard) Graphics (standard) Graphics (standard)
Controller Cirrus Logic GD5424 Cirrus Logic GD5424 Cirrus Logic GD5424
Interface ISA ISA ISA
Location Expansion board Expansion board Expansion board
Video memory: supplied 512KB 512KB 512KB
max 2MB 2MB 2MB
type DRAM EDO RAM EDO RAM
Max N.I. resolution 1024 x 768 x 16 1024 x 768 x 16 1024 x 768 x 16
Max N.I. colours 256 @ 800 x 600 256 @ 800 x 600 256 @ 800 x 600
I/O ports I/O ports I/O ports I/O ports
Serial: quantity 2 2 2
connectors 1 x 9-pin, 1 x 25 pin D-SUB 1 x 9-pin, 1 x 25 pin D-SUB 1 x 9-pin, 1 x 25 pin D-SUB
Parallel: quantity 1 1 1
type ECP/EPP compliant ECP/EPP compliant ECP/EPP compliant
SCSI-II controller (Adaptec 7870)
max devices 7 7 7
max data transfer 10MB/second 10MB/second 10MB/second
Keyboard type PS/2 PS/2 PS/2
Mouse type PS/2 PS/2 PS/2
Expansion (free) Expansion (free) Expansion (free) Expansion (free)
Slots: EISA full length 4(3) 4(3) 4(3)
Shared PCI / EISA 1 1 1
PCI Local Bus 2 2 2
3.5" full height removable
media drive bays 8(7) 8(7) 8(7)
5.25" half height removable
media drive bays 3(2) 3(2) 3(2)
FT//ex 1500 ALL MODELS
Power supply Power supply
Rating (constant) 350W
Rating (peak) 436W
Type Switched mode
Voltage setting External switch
Voltage input range (AC) 100-120V & 200-240V
Frequency input range 47-63Hz
3.5" internal cables 1 (0 free)
5.25" internal cables 3 (2 free)
Max loads: +5V 43A
+12V 9A
-5V 1A
-12V 1A
External connectors IEC in / IEC out
Uninterruptible Power supply (standard)
Model APC Smart-UPS 700iNET
Maximum power load 700VA
Mains failure runtime 5-17 mins. Subject to loading
Peak current capability 6.5KA
Surge energy rating 480 Joules
Typical detection & switchover time 2/4ms
Dimensions: w x d x h 137 x 358 x 158mm
weight 13.2Kg
CD-ROM CD-ROM
Model Sony CDU76S
Type SCSI
Speed 4.2
Buffer memory 256KB
Sustained transfer rate 684KB/s
Photo CD support Yes (Multi-session)
MTBF (power-on-hours) 100 000
Tape backup devices QIC DAT
Model Conner Falcon Conner Peregrine
Type SCSI-II / 512KB buffer SCSI-II / 1MB buffer
Media QIC-3080 (DC2000 tape) DAT (120m DDS & DDS II tape)
Native capacity 1.5GB 4GB
Max. capacity 3.2GB @ 2:1 8GB @ 2:1 / 16GB @ 4:1
Compression type Software Hardware
Effective backup rate 54MB/min (compressed) 48MB/min (compressed)
RAID Controller (option) RAID Controller (option)
Type DPT RAID PM3224 & SX4000/2
Location Expansion board
Interface PCI 32-bit bus
On-board processor 68030 @ 40MHz
Cache supplied (maximum) 4MB (64MB)
Bus master rate 132MB
Maximum SCSI transfer 20MB
SCSI bus support Fast SCSI-II
SCSI channels 3
RAID support 5 (hardware)
External port 68-pin high density
Floppy drive Floppy drive
Type/capacity 3.5"/1.44MB
Controller Embedded
Hard Drives 850MB 2GB 4GB 5GB
Type SCSI-II SCSI-II SCSI-II SCSI-II
Average access 10.5ms 7.5ms 8.5ms 8.4ms
Track to track seek 2.3ms 0.6ms 1.0ms 0.6ms
Burst data rate 6.9MB/sec 12.6MB/sec 10.26MB/sec 12.6MB/sec
Cache 448KB 512KB 1024KB 572KB
MTBF (power-on-hours) 350 000 1 000 000 800 000 1 000 000
System Dimensions
Width x depth x height 180 x 600 x 590mm
Weight 19.6Kg
Warranty
Standard cover 3 years on-site repair service (in countries where applicable)
Preloaded Software
Operating System DOS 6.22 (UK mainland only)
Environmental
Temperature (operating) +10 to +35 degrees C
Temperature (non-op.) -10 to +60 degrees C
R. humidity (operating) 20 to 80%
R. humidity (non-op.) 20 to 80%
EMI/RFI approvals Compliant with European CE mark regulations for Emissions Susceptibility. VCCI Level 1
Safety approvals EN60-950
Monitors 14" SVGAe 15" FST EVGAe 17" Trinitron EVGAe
Standard SVGA EVGA EVGA
CRT size (diag.) 14" 15" 15"
CRT type Anti-glare FST Super Fine Trinitron
anti-glare/static
Display area 245 x 183 (+/-3mm) 270 x 203 (+/-3mm) 270 x 202 (+/-2mm)
Dot pitch 0.28mm 0.28mm 0.26mm
Phosphor P22 P22 P22
Video input Analogue RGB Analogue RGB Analogue RGB
Max. video bandwidth 35MHz 110MHz 107MHz
Max. resolution 800 x 600 1280 x 1024 x 60Hz 1280 x 1024 x 60Hz
(non-interlaced) 1024 x 768 x 75Hz
Power: full operation Less than 80W 100W 110W maximum
standby Less than 20W <5W 8W maximum
Power management VESA DPMS support for EPA compliance VESA DPMS support for EPA compliance VESA DPMS support for EPA compliance
EMI/RFI approvals EN 55022 Limit B EN 55022 Limit B CE mark compliant
VDE 0871 Vfg 243 VDE 0871 Vfg 243 MPRII
Limit B MPRII Limit B MPRII
Safety approvals EN60-950 EN60-950 EN60-950
Dimensions: w x d x h 351 x 384 x 327mm 361 x 382 x 345mm 368 x 385 x 373mm
weight 11.5Kg 16Kg 13.7Kg
Input Devices Keyboard
Keys/buttons 102
Interface PS/2
Cable length 3m
Dimensions: w x d x h 465 x 170 x 45mm
weight 1.4Kg

Apricot Computers Limited, is also represented by independent Resellers in many countries throughout: Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Far East. For details, contact Apricot International Division. Telephone: +44 121 717 7171. Some peripheral products are brought in and sold on by Apricot from organisations which may not have BS5750 registration.

Apricot Computers Limited and/or Apricot Systems Centre terms and conditions of trading apply. Apricot reserves the right to alter specifications without prior notice. Details of all registered trademarks are available on request. While Apricot makes every endeavour, not all add-in features on its systems will be supported by all subsequent releases of add-in cards and peripherals.

Specifications and options may vary from country to country.

SJ3-100496-IP


 

Computing for a Connected World