Sun-3

A Sun 3/60 workstation with disk and tape
Computer worktable with three UNIX workstations, the one on the right is a Sun 3/60

Sun-3 is a series of UNIX computer workstations and servers produced by Sun Microsystems, launched on September 9, 1985. The Sun-3 series are VMEbus-based systems similar to some of the earlier Sun-2 series, but using the Motorola 68020 microprocessor, in combination with the Motorola 68881 floating-point co-processor (optional on the Sun 3/50) and a proprietary Sun MMU. Sun-3 systems were supported in SunOS versions 3.0 to 4.1.1_U1 and also have current support in NetBSD and Linux. It used to be supported by OpenBSD, but the port was discontinued after the 2.9 release.

Sun-3 models

Models are listed in approximately chronological order.

Model Codename CPU board CPU MHz Max. RAM Chassis
3/75 Carrera Sun 3004 16.67 MHz 8 MB 2-slot VME (desktop)
3/140 Carrera Sun 3004 16.67 MHz 16 MB 3-slot VME (desktop/side)
3/160 Carrera Sun 3004 16.67 MHz 16 MB 12-slot VME (deskside)
3/180 Carrera Sun 3004 16.67 MHz 16 MB 12-slot VME (rackmount)
3/150 Carrera Sun 3004 16.67 MHz 16 MB 6-slot VME (deskside)
3/50 Model 25 — 15.7 MHz 4 MB "wide Pizza-box" desktop
3/110 Prism — 16.67 MHz 12 MB 3-slot VME (desktop/side)
3/260 Sirius Sun 3200 25 MHz (CPU), 20 MHz (FPU) 32 MB 12-slot VME (deskside)
3/280 Sirius Sun 3200 25 MHz (CPU), 20 MHz (FPU) 32 MB 12-slot VME (rackmount)
3/60 Ferrari — 20 MHz 24 MB "wide Pizza-box" desktop
3/E Polaris Sun 3/E 20 MHz 16 MB none (6U VME board)

(Max. RAM sizes may be greater when third-party memory boards are used.)

Keyboard

The Sun Type 3 keyboard is split into three blocks:

It shipped with Sun-3 systems.

Sun-3x

A Sun 3/80 workstation

In 1989, coincident with the launch of the SPARCstation 1, Sun launched three new Sun-3 models, the 3/80, 3/470 and 3/480. Unlike previous Sun-3s, these use a Motorola 68030 processor, 68882 floating-point unit, and the 68030's integral MMU. This 68030-based architecture is called Sun-3x.

Model Codename CPU board CPU MHz Max. RAM Chassis
3/80 Hydra - 20 MHz 16, 40 or 64 MB "Pizza-box" desktop
3/460 Pegasus Sun 3400 33 MHz 128 MB 12-slot VME (deskside, older design)
3/470 Pegasus Sun 3400 33 MHz 128 MB 12-slot VME (deskside, newer design )
3/480 Pegasus Sun 3400 33 MHz 128 MB 12-slot VME (rackmount)

Sun 3/260s upgraded with Sun 3400 CPU boards are known as Sun 3/460s.

Sun timeline

Sun BladeSun FireSun FireSun EnterpriseSun Ultra EnterpriseSPARCserverSun Ultra seriesSun Ultra seriesSun Ultra seriesSun Ultra seriesSun Blade (workstation)Sun 386iSun Java WorkstationSun Ultra seriesSPARCstationSun-3Sun-2Sun-1

See also

References

  1. ↑ "New Sun Workstations Lead Industry In System Performance", Press Release, Jackie Rae and Lorrie Duval, Sun Microsystems
  2. ↑ "NetBSD/Sun3 Supported System Models". wiki.netbsd.org. Retrieved 2026-09-23.
  3. ↑ "Linux/sun3". Archived from the original on 2016-09-10. Retrieved 2011-09-13. This article contains some pointers and references to getting Linux running properly on the Sun 3/xx line of workstations/servers.
  4. ↑ "OpenBSD/sun3". www.openbsd.org. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  5. ↑ "Sun Type 3". Deskthority.