HP X-Terminals

<h2 id="700x">700/X</h2>
<p>These were the first X-Terminals HP produced, featuring a similar case to that of some HP 9000/300
(Motorola 68000-based) workstations.
They were driven by a pretty obscure CPU combination, an Intel 186 with a TI DSP
as video coprocessor.
</p>
<ul><li>CPU: 16 MHz Intel <a href="/facts/80186/jUjWLMEX">80186</a> with a 60 MHz <a href="/facts/Texas_Instruments/88NUhuHF">Texas Instruments</a> <a href="/facts/Digital_signal_processor/YuBXweos">DSP</a> as video processor</li>
<li>RAM: 1MB on board, 9MB maximum; one slot takes up to 8MB modules of unknown type</li>
<li>Video RAM: Unknown</li>
<li>Maximum video resolution/color-depth: 1024×768/8-bit</li>
<li>I/O connectors: <a href="/facts/RS-232/NCpvGuyq">RS-232</a> serial, HIL and two PS/2 for keyboard/mouse devices, AUI and BNC 10 Mbit Ethernet connectors and VGA video connector</li>
<li>Expansion: Unknown</li></ul>
<h2 id="700rx">700/RX</h2>

<p>These are the direct successors to the 700/X line of X-Terminals and changed the architecture significantly.
They were the first in a line of terminals to be driven by an Intel <a href="/facts/I960/xnFNnjsX">i960</a> <a href="/facts/RISC/aQbGM62p">RISC</a> CPU and introduced a case which also was used on later systems. They have a (albeit very quiet) fan.
</p><p>Several submodels were available, featuring different video-options:
</p>
<ul><li>16Ca: 1 MB video RAM, max. 1028×768 resolution, 8-bit color-depth</li>
<li>19Ca: 2 MB video RAM, max. 1280×1024 resolution, 8-bit color-depth</li>
<li>14Ci/16Ci/17Ci: 1 MB video RAM, max. 1028×768 resolution, 8-bit color-depth</li>
<li>19Mi: 0.2 MB video RAM, max. 1280×1024 resolution, monographics</li></ul>
<p>All models have these base features in common:
</p>
<ul><li>CPU: 22 MHz Intel <a href="/facts/I960/xnFNnjsX">i960CA</a> with 1KB instruction cache</li>
<li>RAM: 2 MB on board, 34 MB maximum; two slots take each up to 16 MB 72-pin non-parity <a href="/facts/SIMM/hSDqXXYb">SIMMs</a></li>
<li>I/O connectors: RS232 serial, <a href="/facts/HIL_bus/R7zBQgDe">HIL</a> and two PS/2 for keyboard/mouse devices, parallel for printer, AUI and BNC 10 Mbit Ethernet and VGA video connector</li>
<li>Expansion: slot for a Boot-ROM cartridge</li></ul>
<h2 id="entria">Entria</h2>
<p>The Entrias were the low-cost line of X-Terminals, featuring the same architecture as the 700/RX terminals, but in a plastic case the same style as the <a href="/facts/HP_9000/aD9CCWHq">HP 9000</a>/712 workstation. They are very small and quiet.
</p><p>The Entrias were available in different video configurations, depending on the exact model:
</p>
<ul><li>0.6 MB video RAM: max. resolution of 1024×768 with grayscale graphics</li>
<li>1 MB video RAM: max. resolution of 1024×768 with 8-bit color depth</li>
<li>2 MB video RAM: max. resolution of 1280×1024 with 8-bit color depth</li></ul>
<p>Common:
</p>
<ul><li>CPU: Intel <a href="/facts/I960/xnFNnjsX">i960CA</a> with 1 KB instruction cache</li>
<li>RAM: 4 MB on board, 68 MB maximum; two slots take each up to 32 MB 72-pin non-parity <a href="/facts/SIMM/hSDqXXYb">SIMMs</a></li>
<li>I/O connectors: RS-232 serial, two PS/2 for keyboard/mouse devices, parallel for printer, TP and BNC 10 Mbit Ethernet and VGA video connector</li>
<li>Expansion: none</li></ul>
<h2 id="envizex">Envizex</h2>

<p>The Envizex were the successors to the 700/RX terminals, featuring the same flat pizzabox case and a slightly modified architecture with a faster version of the Intel i960 RISC CPU.
They have a (very quiet) fan inside.
</p><p>Three different series were available which featured different speeds of the CPU:
</p>
<ul><li>i SERIES: 25 MHz <a href="/facts/Intel_i960/xnFNnjsX">Intel i960</a>CF with 4 KB instruction and 1 KB data cache</li>
<li>a SERIES: 28 MHz Intel i960CF with 4 KB instruction and 1 KB data cache</li>
<li>p SERIES: 33 MHz Intel i960CF with 4 KB instruction and 1 KB data cache</li></ul>
<p>Common aspects:
</p>
<ul><li>RAM: <i>a</i> and <i>i SERIES</i>: 4 MB on board, 132 MB maximum; four slots take each up to 32 MB 72-pin non-parity <a href="/facts/SIMM/hSDqXXYb">SIMMs</a>. <i>p SERIES</i>: 6 MB on board, 102 MB maximum; three slots take each up to 32 MB 72-pin non-parity <a href="/facts/SIMM/hSDqXXYb">SIMMs</a></li>
<li>Video RAM: 2 MB</li>
<li>Maximum video resolution/color-depth: 1280×1024 (<i>i SERIES</i> might do only 1024×768) 8-bit</li>
<li>I/O connectors: two RS-232 serial, <a href="/facts/HIL_bus/R7zBQgDe">HIL</a> and two PS/2 for keyboard/mouse devices, parallel for printer, TP, AUI and BNC 10 Mbit Ethernet and VGA video connector</li>
<li>Expansion: They offer a range of expansion options:
<ul><li>3.5″ PC floppy drive</li>
<li>CD-quality audio support</li>
<li>Either one of the following three cards:
<ul><li><a href="/facts/SCSI/pxXulrBr">SCSI</a>/ROM adapter card</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Token_Ring/mfQj6GSx">Token Ring</a> adapter</li>
<li><a href="/facts/100BaseVG/y0940Ggy">100VG AnyLan</a> adapter (HP-proprietary 100 MBit networking)</li></ul></li>
<li>They also have two <a href="/facts/PCMCIA/ATXtE8rd">PCMCIA</a> sockets for:
<ul><li>Boot-ROM card</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Static_random_access_memory/Pmyo4V5e">SRAM</a> cards which contain fonts or a local copy of the <a href="/facts/X_Window_System/ac2vRIQL">X server</a> (no network download necessary)</li></ul></li></ul></li></ul>
<h2 id="entria-ii">Entria II</h2>
<p>These were the successors of the low-cost Entria X-Terminals, keeping their HP 9000/712-style small footprint plastic case.
The system architecture was changed completely and is shared with the later Envizex II terminals. It is based around a <a href="/facts/NEC/YnlUsMBA">NEC</a> <a href="/facts/R4300/YQJ5jdI5">R4300</a> CPU and <a href="/facts/Peripheral_Component_Interconnect/n6CGuFvP">PCI</a>-based I/O devices.
</p>
<ul><li>CPU: 100 MHz <a href="/facts/NEC/YnlUsMBA">NEC</a> <a href="/facts/R4300/YQJ5jdI5">R4300</a></li>
<li>RAM: 64 MB maximum; two slots take each up to 32 MB 168-pin <a href="/facts/DIMM/Ejh7lpxq">DIMMs</a> (PC66/100/133 <a href="/facts/DIMM/Ejh7lpxq">DIMMs</a> in different sizes can be used, but only 8 MB of each module will be available; the larger modules (16 and 32 MB) were HP-proprietary)</li>
<li>Video RAM: 2 MB</li>
<li>Maximum video resolution/color-depth: 1280×1024/8-bit</li>
<li>I/O connectors: RS-232 serial, two PS/2 for keyboard/mouse devices, parallel for printer, TP Ethernet (probably 10 Mbit) connector and VGA video connector</li>
<li>Expansion: none</li></ul>
<h2 id="envizex-ii">Envizex II</h2>
<p>These are the bigger brothers of the Entria II X-Terminals, driven by the same R4300 MIPS CPU and <a href="/facts/Peripheral_Component_Interconnect/n6CGuFvP">PCI</a> I/O architecture.
The case was redesigned, is very easy to open and does not have any fans, making the terminal rather quiet.
</p>
<ul><li>CPU: 133 MHz <a href="/facts/NEC/YnlUsMBA">NEC</a> <a href="/facts/R4300/YQJ5jdI5">R4300</a></li>
<li>RAM: 96 MB maximum; three slots take each up to 32 MB 168-pin <a href="/facts/DIMM/Ejh7lpxq">DIMMs</a> (PC66/100/133 <a href="/facts/DIMM/Ejh7lpxq">DIMMs</a> in different sizes can be used, but only 8 MB of each module will be available; the larger modules (16 and 32 MB) were also HP-proprietary)</li>
<li>Video RAM: 2 or 4 MB VSIMM</li>
<li>Video chipset: <a href="/facts/ATI_Technologies/7hPl9Cqx">ATI</a> Mach64</li>
<li>Maximum video resolution/color-depth: 1600×1200/16-bit</li>
<li>I/O connectors: two RS-232 serial, two PS/2 and <a href="/facts/Universal_Serial_Bus/XcIKWLyg">USB</a> for keyboard/mouse devices, TP Ethernet connector and <a href="/facts/VESA_Enhanced_Video_Connector/cpfxzJ6x">EVC</a> video connector (requires an adapter-cable to use standard VGA monitors)</li>
<li>Expansion:
<ul><li>3.5″ PC floppy drive</li>
<li>Audio Kit with telephone I/O</li>
<li>Flash <a href="/facts/DIMM/Ejh7lpxq">DIMMs</a> card for booting and storing configuration and font files</li>
<li><a href="/facts/100BaseVG/y0940Ggy">100VG AnyLan</a> PCI card</li>
<li>100 Mbit Ethernet PCI card</li>
<li>Combined BNC and AUI card (expands the onboard NIC)</li></ul></li></ul>
<h2 id="software">Software</h2>
<p>These X terminals/stations run a proprietary operating system from HP — Netstation, formerly Enware, with some versions apparently based on <a href="/facts/VxWorks/DCajjp0d">VxWorks</a> (probably those with RISC support).
</p><p>This software runs on theoretically any <a href="/facts/Unix/0pNL2seI">Unix</a> system, native support is available for <a href="/facts/HP-UX/hIvLDdJF">HP-UX</a> 10, <a href="/facts/HP-UX/hIvLDdJF">HP-UX</a> 11, <a href="/facts/IBM_AIX/cRWERua2">IBM AIX</a> and <a href="/facts/Solaris_(operating_system)/KPfT98EJ">Solaris</a> 2.x. A generic installation image is provided for other Unix flavors; this can be used to install the software via the provided installation shell script on for instance various <a href="/facts/Linux/9FvCKSTq">Linux</a> or <a href="/facts/Berkeley_Software_Distribution/XQKcURrh">BSD</a> flavors.
</p>
<h3>Netstation Version 7.1</h3>
<p>The older Enware/Netstation Version 7.1, HP product B.07.11, supports the following i960-based terminals:
</p>
<ul><li>700/RX</li>
<li>Entria</li>
<li>Envizex</li></ul>
<p>It <i>was</i> downloadable from a public HP <a href="/facts/FTP/THuWgzfw">FTP</a> service (hprc.external.hp.com/B.07.11/), which however was apparently discontinued.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:1" href="#fn:1"><sup>1</sup></a>
</p><p>Read the included documentation and technical reference and refer to the installation instructions. Generally, a <a href="/facts/Unix/0pNL2seI">Unix</a> server is needed from which the station can boot its kernel and load its <a href="/facts/X_Window_System/ac2vRIQL">X server</a>.
This is done via <a href="/facts/Trivial_File_Transfer_Protocol/TslBlcvJ">TFTP</a>; the station can be managed locally via a configuration screen or remotely on the server via customizable configuration files.
</p>
<h3>Netstation Version 9.0</h3>
<p>The most current available Netstation version is 9.0, HP product B.09.11. This version supports the newer MIPS-based X-Terminals:
</p>
<ul><li>Entria II</li>
<li>Envizex II</li></ul>
<p>Same as with the older Netstation software, version 9.0 was available from a HP FTP service, which was discontinued. (See above)
</p><p>The newer X-Terminals (IIs) can boot in different ways, over a <a href="/facts/Network_File_System_(protocol)/jWRRALVo">NFS</a> mount, a <a href="/facts/Server_Message_Block/pWM35pl8">SMB</a> share or plain <a href="/facts/Trivial_File_Transfer_Protocol/TslBlcvJ">TFTP</a>.
Included in the Netstation software is a native <a href="/facts/Java_(programming_language)/9ScgFyAL">Java</a> environment which makes execution of local Java applets on the terminal possible.
</p>

<p>Specific references:
</p>

<p>General references:
</p>

<ul><li><a href="http://www.openpa.net/">http://www.openpa.net/</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>
<ul><li><a href="https://archive.today/20121220122213/http://www.fmf.nl/~dopheide/hp/">700/RX and envizex Terminal password unlocking</a> (Bart Dopheide: n.d. Accessed September 2008)</li>
<li><a href="http://envizex.arganite.com/">Setting up the Envizex</a> (N.a.: January 2008. Link updated July 2013) Installation instructions for the HP X-Terminal software</li>
<li><a href="http://www.ductape.net/~brianm/xterm/">Information and Software for HP Envizex, Entria, and 700/RX X-Terminals</a> (Brian McElroy: April 2000. Access September 2008)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.thepoorgeek.com/techblog/2013/07/02/updated-hp-envizex-files/">Updated HP Envizex files and basic config</a> (James Baker: Posted July 2013)</li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1"><p>Last tested September 2008. <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
</ol>

HP X-Terminals open-in-new

HP X-Terminals