Specifications

AM-6060 Network Server AMB98-07 Page

________________________________________________________________________________

Surge Protection

The serial ports in the AM-6060 provide surge protection as a standard feature. Protection is

implemented by an array of zener diodes, sometimes called avalanche diodes. The diodes are

mounted on the AM-90 Lightning board to which the four RJ-45 jacks are physically attached.

If an over-voltage condition occurs on the serial I/O cable, the diodes react—in nanoseconds—to

divert the flow of current away from sensitive I/O circuitry. A system that’s installed and grounded

in accordance with Alpha Micro standard practice should withstand virtually any power surge

without damage. However, the exact characteristics of power surges are difficult to predict.

(Consider what can happen, for example, when a high-voltage power line comes loose in a storm

and drops across telephone wires carrying modem traffic.) The presence of the surge protection

feature, therefore, does not affect our warranty coverage.

An AM-90 Lightning board protects the system inside which the board is installed. Surge protection

for terminals or other far-end devices, if desired, must be implemented by other means.

Printer Attachment via Network Servers

In AM-6060 environments, network printer servers offer a convenient way to attach printers with no

need for serial or parallel ports. The network printer server operates as a node on the TCP/IP

network, with its own IP address. Some printer servers are pocket size units, with a DB-25

connector for attachment to the printer and a 10BaseT jack for the network. Other models, slightly

larger, provide ports for two printers or more.

Diskette Drives

When an AM-6060 requires floppy disk I/O, make arrangements to read or write the floppy in a

computer elsewhere on the network. That computer can be another Alpha Micro system, or a PC, or

any other computer that’s capable of networking to the AM-6060.

The AM-6060 itself does not provide for attachment of a diskette drive. However, if the system is

upgraded to an AM-6000, an AM-219 Floppy Disk Controller and a diskette drive can be installed

in the normal manner.

Year 2000 Compliance

When used with the AMOS 2.3A operating system, the AM-6060 is Year 2000 compliant.

Information about Year 2000 compliance of other hardware and software products appears in

marketing bulletins entitled Progress Report on Year 2000 Compliance, published by Alpha

Microsystems from time to time.