Description
Sun Microsystems 3/110 Prism Workstation 68020 16.67MHz VME SunOS 600-2051
The Sun Microsystems 3/110, internally code-named "Prism," is a desktop Unix workstation from Sun's Sun-3 series, built around the Motorola 68020 processor running at 16.67 MHz. Manufactured in 1987–88, this is a tower-format personal workstation designed for the Unix engineering and scientific computing market. It integrates an 8-bit color cgfour framebuffer directly on the main board, driving a 1152 × 900 display over BNC video outputs — a high-resolution color display capability that set it apart from many contemporaries.
Specifications & What's Included
- CPU: Motorola 68020 at 16.67 MHz
- Architecture: Sun-3 series (68020-based)
- Video: Integrated 8-bit color cgfour framebuffer, 1152 × 900 resolution
- Video output: 4 × BNC connectors (Red, Green, Blue, Sync) on rear panel
- Expansion: 3 VMEbus slots
- Networking: Integrated Ethernet, AUI (DB15) connector
- Keyboard/Mouse: Integrated connector (DB15)
- Serial Ports: Serial Port A and Serial Port B, both DB25 RS-232
- Diagnostic switch: NORM / DIAG toggle on rear I/O panel
- Reset button on rear panel
- Power: 115/230V, 60/50Hz, 12/6A; Fuse 250V 15/6A Slo
- Part Number: 600-2051-01
- Model Number (label): 347
- Manufacture Date: 11-Aug-87 (rear label); secondary board date 3-16-88
- Made in USA
- Compatible OS: SunOS 3.0 through SunOS 4.1.1U1 (OS not included)
- Form Factor: Vertical desktop tower on pedestal base
- Unit only — no keyboard, mouse, monitor, cables, or software included
Applications
The Sun-3 series, introduced in 1985, was Sun Microsystems' second-generation Unix workstation line and became widely used in university research departments, engineering firms, scientific laboratories, and financial institutions throughout the late 1980s. The 3/110 sat at the midrange of the Sun-3 family, offering an all-in-one color graphics workstation aimed at individual engineers and scientists who needed a capable Unix desktop. It ran SunOS, Sun's BSD-derived Unix operating system, and supported the full NFS (Network File System) stack that Sun pioneered — making networked file sharing between Unix workstations routine at a time when that was genuinely novel. The VMEbus expansion slots allowed the addition of memory, additional I/O, and specialty cards. By the early 1990s the Sun-3 line was superseded by the SPARC-based Sun-4 series, but Sun-3 machines like the 3/110 remain sought-after by vintage Unix collectors, retrocomputing enthusiasts, and institutions maintaining legacy Sun-3 software environments. The integrated cgfour color framebuffer makes this a particularly complete example — many Sun-3 systems required a separate framebuffer card to achieve color output.
This Sun Microsystems 3/110 Prism Unix workstation is in used condition. The plastic casing shows the yellowing and surface scratching typical of late-1980s equipment of this age. The pedestal base has some cracked plastic, visible in the photos. The rear I/O panel, connectors (Ethernet, keyboard/mouse, serial ports A and B, BNC video outputs, and power connectors), and VME backplane area all appear intact. This unit has not been powered up or tested at our facility, but it was pulled from a working environment where it had previously been in use. Please review all photos carefully and contact us with any questions before purchasing.
Warranty Information
Additional Information
Brand: |
Sun Microsystems |
Model: |
3/110 |
MPN: |
600-2051-01 |
Secondary Model: |
347 |
SKU: |
41659 |
Type: |
Unix Workstation |
Code Name: |
Prism |
CPU: |
Motorola 68020 |
CPU Speed: |
16.67 MHz |
Architecture: |
Sun-3 (Motorola 68020) |
Video: |
8-bit color cgfour framebuffer, 1152 x 900 |
Expansion Slots: |
3 VME Slots |
Bus Type: |
VMEbus |
Ethernet: |
Yes — AUI (DB15 connector) |
Serial Ports: |
2 x RS-232 (DB25) — Serial Port A & B |
Keyboard/Mouse: |
Integrated connector (DB15) |
Monitor Output: |
4 x BNC (Red, Green, Blue, Sync) |
Power Requirements: |
115/230V, 60/50Hz, 12/6A |
Fuse: |
250V, 15/6A Slo |
Manufacture Date: |
11-Aug-87 (base); 3-16-88 (board) |
Country/Region of Manufacture: |
United States |
Form Factor: |
Desktop Tower (vertical) |
Seller Notes: |
Unit only — no keyboard, mouse, monitor, cables, or software included. |
Condition Notes: |
This Sun Microsystems 3/110 Prism Unix workstation shows yellowed, scratched plastic and some cracked plastic on the base — typical for its 1987–88 vintage. Not tested at our facility; pulled from a working environment. |
California Prop 65 Warning: |
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead and lead compounds, and DEHP (a phthalate), which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Go to P65Warnings.ca.gov |