This chapter presents the requirements and recommendations for network workstations under the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems.
This section presents the key design features for Workstation PC 97. PC 97 Hardware Design Guide provides the first definition of this PC category for the "Designed for Microsoft Windows" logo program.
Although the design requirements for Workstation PC 97 can support running either the Windows 95 or Windows NT operating system, these requirements are optimized to support complex Win32-based applications, which usually run on Windows NT Workstation, for users whose principal computing work involves using mission-critical networked applications, engineering or scientific applications, or media-authoring or software development tools. Although Windows NT Workstation is used on standalone systems, the PC 97 requirements support the more common use of Windows NT Workstation as a platform for network productivity.
These are the key design issues for Workstation PC 97:
Important The system requirements defined in PC 97 Hardware Design Guide provide guidelines for designing PC systems that best run Windows 95 and Windows NT. These design requirements are not the basic system requirements for running the Windows operating system. Also, hardware features are described as Required, Recommended, or Optional for the "Designed for Microsoft Windows" logo program:
This section summarizes the requirements for the basic components of Workstation PC 97 systems.
Required |
Recommended: two or more microprocessors.
The minimum microprocessor capability is required to support the demands of the complex computational and graphics-intensive software that will be used on a Workstation PC 97 system. The processor requirement for RISC-based systems is one of the following:
If multiprocessor support is provided in a Workstation PC 97 system with x86-based processors, such support must comply with MultiProcessor Specification Version 1.4 or higher (available from Intel). An ARC- or ACE-compliant RISC-based system meets the requirements for multiprocessor support. Notice, however, that dual processors will never become a logo requirement.
Required |
Recommended: 512K cache.
The minimum Level 2 cache is required for performance on x86-based Workstation PC 97 systems. This requirement does not apply for a Pentium Pro-class system with a built-in L2 cache.
If multiprocessor support is provided with Pentium-class processors, each processor must have a separate L2 cache.
Required |
Recommended: 64 MB. For multiprocessor systems, 64 MB minimum is required.
At least 28 MB of system memory must be completely available for the system to use and cannot be locked from use by the operating system. For multiprocessor systems, at least 60 MB must be completely available for the system to use.
Note This minimum requirement for memory available to the operating system does not preclude applications that use dynamically allocated memory for audio or video playback or other temporary uses of system memory.
Required |
This includes the following specific requirements, as defined in the "Basic PC 97" chapter in this guide:
This section summarizes the physical design requirements for Workstation PC 97 systems. These requirements are in addition to those related to the OnNow initiative for power-state indicators and easily accessible power switches.
Required |
The expansion slots cannot be physically blocked by components or devices provided with the system. This does not exclude configurations that allow space for only half-height cards for some slots or passive back planes used for connectors, and so on.
Recommended |
A PC 97 system should be "silent" in the Sleeping state and as quiet as possible during active operations. Recommended test procedures and measurements will be documented by Microsoft.
The need to limit audible noise comes from the OnNow design initiative. A PC that uses OnNow technologies will be active even when not under direct operation by the user. These operations must happen silently so as not to interfere with other activities in the work site.
Recommended |
Accessibility design guidelines are provided in in this guide. These guidelines were developed in consultation with the Trace Research and Development Center at the University of Wisconsin. Notice that this recommendation will not become a requirement.
This section defines the general requirements for devices on a Workstation PC 97 system. The requirements in this section apply for every device, whether it is present included in the PC system or provided as an add-on device.
Required |
This includes the following specific requirements, as defined in the "Basic PC 97" chapter in this guide:
This section defines specific requirements for buses and devices provided in a Workstation PC 97 system, in addition to the basic requirement for supporting the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface specification, as defined earlier in this chapter.
This section summarizes the general requirements for system buses. Additional requirements are defined in Part 3 of this guide for particular buses.
Required |
Universal Serial Bus (USB) provides a bidirectional, isochronous, dynamically attachable serial interface for adding peripheral devices such as game controllers, communications devices, and input devices on a single bus.
The USB implementation in the system must meet the requirements defined in USB specifications, plus any additional requirements for PC 97 defined in the "USB" chapter in Part 3 of this guide.
Recommended |
Additional support for expansion capabilities can be provided using PCI v. 2.1, IEEE 1394, or CardBus, or other high-speed buses. Any expansion bus implemented in the system must meet the requirements defined in the related chapter in Part 3 of this guide.
Required |
If PCI is used, the PCI bus must meet the requirements defined in PCI v. 2.1 or higher, plus any additional requirements for PC 97 defined in the "PCI" chapter in Part 3 of this guide.
Optional |
If an ISA bus is implemented in a Workstation PC 97 system, all the requirements defined in the "ISA" chapter in Part 3 of this guide must be met.
Notice that including ISA in the system will probably require support for traditional keyboard, parallel, and serial ports. For requirements related to these devices, see the "Serial, Parallel, and Wireless Support" and "Input Components" chapters in Part 4 of this guide.
PC 97 requirements exclude using ISA as the bus for the graphics adapter. For Workstation PC 97, the network adapter is also excluded from using the ISA bus.
This section defines the general requirements for I/O devices. Additional requirements are defined in the sections titled "Graphics Adapter and Monitor for Workstation PC 97" and "Storage and Related Peripherals for Workstation PC 97" later in this chapter.
Tips for Selecting I/O Performance Components. For PC manufacturers who want to select high-performance components for Workstation 97 systems, these are design features to look for in I/O components:
Required |
Recommended: USB connection. The external connection requirements can also be met using a PS/2-style port or wireless capabilities in the system. For complete requirements for keyboard ports and peripherals, see the "Input Components" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.
Required |
Recommended: USB connection. The external connection requirements can also be met using a PS/2-style port or wireless capabilities in the system. For complete requirements for mouse ports and peripherals, see the "Input Components" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.
Recommended |
Recommended: USB connection. For workstations that support engineering or CAD computing, a digitizer, drawing tablet, or other special pointing device is Recommended. Any pointing device included with the system must meet the PC 97 requirements for input devices.
Required |
Recommended: SCSI or external bus such as USB, IEEE 1394, or PC Card. This can also be provided as a parallel port with ECP mode capabilities. For complete requirements for parallel ports, see the "Serial, Parallel, and Wireless Support" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.
Required |
Recommended: USB or PC Card. This can also be provided as a 16550A serial port. For complete requirements for serial ports, see the "Serial, Parallel, and Wireless Support" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.
Recommended |
If wireless capabilities are included in the system, PC 97 requirements must be met, as defined in the "Serial, Parallel, and Wireless Support" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.
Required |
For Workstation PC 97, a network adapter included with the system is strongly recommended.
The PC 97 system must include I/O device support to allow the user to install (or reinstall) the operating system. For the Windows NT operating system, either a CD-ROM drive or network adapter must be included in the system, because Windows NT does not support installing the operating system from a floppy disk drive.
An ISA-based network adapter solution is not allowed for a Workstation PC 97 system.
Note It is recognized that OEMs supply PC systems to corporations in situations where the customer will insert network adapters at the end-user site. Workstation systems designed for specific corporate customer features are exempt from this PC 97 requirement.
Recommended |
If audio is implemented in a PC 97 system, it must meet the minimum requirements defined in the "Audio Components" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.
Required |
The following device options can meet this requirement:
Note It is recognized that OEMs supply PC systems to corporations in situations where the customer will insert network adapters at the end-user site or where the customer has particular feature demands. Workstation systems designed for specific corporate customers are exempt from this PC 97 requirement.
This section summarizes the Workstation PC 97 requirements for graphic components, including graphics adapter and monitor.
Tips for Selecting Performance Components for Graphics Subsystem.
For PC manufacturers who want to select high-performance components
for Workstation 97 systems, these are design features to look
for in graphics components:
If the target use is the engineering desktop, the following should be considered:
Required |
As defined in the "Basic PC 97" chapter in this guide, the graphics subsystem must include the following support:
Recommended: 1280x1024x24 bpp
For Workstation PC 97, the graphics-intensive requirements for many Win32-based productivity applications require a higher minimum resolution than that specified for Basic PC 97.
Recommended: 4 MB display RAM
For workstations with Pentium Pro-class processors or with intended uses such as engineering, CAD computing, or other graphics-intensive applications, the extra display RAM is strongly recommended.
Recommended: Support for NTSC or PAL TV output. (This will not become a requirement for Workstation PC 97.)
For complete details related to basic graphics adapter requirements, see the "Graphics Adapters" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.
Recommended |
Various hardware acceleration features for 2D and 3D graphics can be implemented to improve overall graphics performance. For Workstation PC 97 systems that will support precise graphics applications, such as engineering or CAD software, graphics hardware 3D acceleration should support OpenGL capabilities built into the Windows NT operating system. Microsoft DirectDraw and Direct3D are used by applications to accelerate graphics display by providing direct manipulation of video display memory, hardware blters, hardware overlays, and page flipping.
For information about required and recommended features if hardware acceleration is implemented for 2D and 3D graphics, see the "Graphics Adapters" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.
Required |
If a monitor is provided with a Workstation PC 97 system, it must meet the minimum capabilities defined for PC 97. For complete PC 97 requirements for monitors, see the "Video Components" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.
Required |
Microsoft provides operating system support through Microsoft ActiveMovie. For information about performance and graphics hardware requirements to support video playback, see the "Video Components" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.
This section summarizes the requirements for storage devices for Workstation PC 97. For system requirements related to CD-ROM, see the "System Buses and I/O Devices for Workstation PC 97" section earlier in this chapter.
Tips for Selecting Performance Components for Storage. For PC manufacturers who want to select high-performance components for Workstation 97 systems, these are design features to look for in storage components:
Required |
Recommended to support multiple storage devices: SCSI host controller.
The host controller must meet requirements defined for the bus it uses; for SCSI or IDE controllers, it must also meet the requirements in the "ATA and ATAPI" or "SCSI" chapter in Part 3 of this guide.
Required |
For Workstation PC 97, the primary host controller must support bus mastering, whether using IEEE 1394, IDE, or SCSI.
Required |
This includes the following specific requirements, as defined in the "Basic PC 97" chapter in this guide:
Recommended |
Any DVD device included in a Workstation PC 97 system must meet the requirements defined for DVD in the "Storage and Related Peripherals" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.
Note If a Workstation PC 97 system includes DVD-Video support, the PC must also provide PC 97 playback support for DVD content, as defined in the "Video Components" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.
The following presents some of the references, services, and tools available to help build hardware that is optimized to work with Windows operating systems.
Plug and Play specifications
http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/pnpspecs.htm
Microsoft Device Driver Kits (DDKs) for Windows operating systems
Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Professional membership
Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) specification
http://www.teleport.com/~acpi/
Power Management specifications for device and bus classes
Guidelines for audible noise and other OnNow technologies
http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/onnow.htm
MultiProcessor Specification Version 1.4
Intel part number 242016002
Phone: (800) 8794683
System Requirements for Workstation PC 97
| ||
---|---|---|
1. Minimum microprocessor: Pentium-class 166 MHz or equivalent, or RISC-based processor | ||
Required | ||
2. L2 cache with 256K minimum, for Pentium-class processor | ||
Required | ||
3. Minimum system memory: 32 MB | ||
Required | ||
4. Workstation PC 97 meets Basic PC 97 general system requirements | ||
Required | ||
Industrial Design Requirements for Workstation PC 97 | ||
5. All expansion slots in the system accessible for users to insert cards | ||
Required | ||
6. Audible noise meets PC 97 standards | ||
Recommended | ||
7. System and component design practices follow accessibility guidelines | ||
Recommended | ||
General Device Requirements for Workstation PC 97 | ||
8. Workstation PC 97 meets Basic PC 97 general device requirements | ||
Required | ||
Buses and Devices for Workstation PC 97 | ||
System Buses for Workstation PC 97 | ||
9. Universal Serial Bus, with one USB port, minimum | ||
Required | ||
10. Support for other high-speed expansion capabilities | ||
Recommended | ||
11. If present, PCI bus meets PCI v. 2.1 and higher, plus PC 97 requirements | ||
Required | ||
12. ISA expansion bus | ||
Optional | ||
I/O Devices for Workstation PC 97 | ||
13. Keyboard connection and keyboard | ||
Required | ||
14. Pointing device connection and pointing device | ||
Required | ||
15. High-precision input device in addition to mouse | ||
Recommended | ||
16. Connection for external parallel devices | ||
Required | ||
17. Connection for external serial devices | ||
Required | ||
18. Wireless capabilities in PC system | ||
Recommended | ||
19. CD-ROM or network adapter support for installing the operating system | ||
Required | ||
20. Audio support in PC system meets PC 97 requirements | ||
Recommended | ||
21. Communications device provided with PC system | ||
Required | ||
Graphics Components for Workstation PC 97 | ||
22. Display adapter meets PC 97 minimum requirements | ||
Required | ||
23. Hardware acceleration for 2D and 3-D graphics | ||
Recommended | ||
24. Color monitor supports DDC 2.0 Level B and 800x600, minimum | ||
Required | ||
25. System supports MPEG-1 playback | ||
Required | ||
Storage and Related Peripherals for Workstation PC 97 | ||
26. Host controller for storage device meets PC 97 requirements | ||
Required | ||
27. Primary host controller supports bus mastering | ||
Required | ||
28. Workstation PC 97 meets storage requirements defined for Basic PC 97 | ||
Required | ||
29. DVD-ROM drive | ||
Recommended | ||