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The '''ND-500''' is a 32-bit superminicomputer delivered in [[1981]] by [[Norsk Data]]. It relied on a [[ND-100]] to do housekeeping tasks and run the operating system, [[SINTRAN III]].
The '''ND-500''' is a 32-bit superminicomputer delivered in [[1981]] by [[Norsk Data]]. It relied on a [[ND-100]] to do housekeeping tasks and run the operating system, [[SINTRAN III]]. The ND-500 used shared [[MPM-5]] (Multiport Memory 5) to coordinate with its I/O processor and other ND-500 CPUs in the system.


A configuration could feature up to four ND-500 CPUs, in a shared-memory configuration.  
A configuration could feature up to four ND-500 CPUs, in a shared-memory configuration.
 
== Hardware implementations ==


==Hardware implementations==
The ND-500 architecture lived through four distinct implementations. Each implementation was sold under a variety of different model numbers.
The ND-500 architecture lived through four distinct implementations. Each implementation was sold under a variety of different model numbers.


ND also sold multiprocessor configurations, naming them ND-580/''n'' and an ND-590''n'', where ''n'' represented the number of CPUs in a given configuration, 2, 3, or 4.
ND also sold multiprocessor configurations, naming them ND-580/''n'' and an ND-590''n'', where ''n'' represented the number of CPUs in a given configuration, 2, 3, or 4.


===ND-500/1===
=== ND-500/1 ===
 
Sold as the '''ND-520''', '''ND-540''', and '''ND-560'''.
Sold as the '''ND-520''', '''ND-540''', and '''ND-560'''.


===ND-500/2===
; CPU Interface
: [[3022]] (ND-100 side) + [[5015]] (ND-500 side) parallel interface
; Memory
: [[MPM-5]] (Multiport Memory 5)
; Messaging
: Pre-[[NUCLEUS]], shared-memory synchronization only
 
=== ND-500/2 ===
 
Sold as the '''ND-510''', '''ND-530''', '''ND-550''', '''ND-560''', '''ND-570''' (and various /CX variants as newer ND-1x0 variants became available)
Sold as the '''ND-510''', '''ND-530''', '''ND-550''', '''ND-560''', '''ND-570''' (and various /CX variants as newer ND-1x0 variants became available)


====ND-505====
; CPU Interface
: [[3022]] + [[5015]] parallel interface (same as ND-500/1)
; Memory
: [[MPM-5]]
; Microcode versions
: 15212-15213 (ND-550/560/570) supporting [[NUCLEUS]] on [[ND-500-II]]
; Messaging
: Foundation for [[NUCLEUS]] runtime (ND-500-II with OCTOBUS support)
 
==== ND-505 ====
 
A 31-bit version of the ND-500 machine, but . Pin 27 was snipped on the backplane, removing its status as a superminicomputer, allowing it to legally pass through the CoCom embargo. Cocom (''Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls'') was an embargo on Western exports to East Bloc countries during the Cold War <ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coordinating_Committee_for_Multilateral_Export_Controls</ref>, <ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_computer_hardware_in_Eastern_Bloc_countries</ref>
A 31-bit version of the ND-500 machine, but . Pin 27 was snipped on the backplane, removing its status as a superminicomputer, allowing it to legally pass through the CoCom embargo. Cocom (''Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls'') was an embargo on Western exports to East Bloc countries during the Cold War <ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coordinating_Committee_for_Multilateral_Export_Controls</ref>, <ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_computer_hardware_in_Eastern_Bloc_countries</ref>
The ND-505(/CX) uses a 500/2 CPU. 29 bits of addressing space is available for the user <ref>http://sintran.com/norsk-data/library/libpdpi/ND-505CX-A1-EN.pdf</ref> (exactly how this relates to the physical 31 bits is not entirely clear).
The ND-505(/CX) uses a 500/2 CPU. 29 bits of addressing space is available for the user <ref>http://sintran.com/norsk-data/library/libpdpi/ND-505CX-A1-EN.pdf</ref> (exactly how this relates to the physical 31 bits is not entirely clear).


===ND-5000===
=== ND-500-II ===
The [[ND-5000_family|ND-5000]] series was the latest physical implementation of the ND-500 architecture.
 
The '''[[ND-500-II]]''' (or ND-500/II) was a model variant of the ND-500/2 that added [[OCTOBUS]] connectivity via specialized line driver hardware ('''[[PCB 3109]]''' part 324118 or '''[[PCB 3096]]''' part 324133).
 
; Key Features
: Support for [[NUCLEUS]] message-passing runtime
: Integration with [[DOMINO]] I/O controller systems (via shared NUCLEUS)
: Maintained backward compatibility with ND-500/2 code
; CPU Interface
: [[3022]] + [[5015]] parallel (unchanged from classic ND-500)
; System Bus
: [[MPM-5]] + [[OCTOBUS]] (via line driver card)
; Microcode
: 15212-15213 (ND-550/560/570 family)
 
See dedicated [[ND-500-II]] article for full architecture and NUCLEUS runtime details.
 
=== ND-5000 ===
 
The '''[[ND-5000|ND-5000 family]]''' was the latest physical implementation of the ND-500 architecture. Unlike earlier implementations, ND-5000 featured:
 
; Native OCTOBUS
: Integrated [[OCTOBUS]] interface (no line driver card needed)
; Modern memory
: [[MFbus]] (Multifunction Bus) successor to [[MPM-5]]
; Optimized messaging
: [[NUCLEUS]] with time-critical calls microcoded in CPU for sub-microsecond latency
; Introduction
: 1988 (with [[DOMINO]] I/O controllers and native [[OCTOBUS]])
 
== Operating System ==
 
=== SINTRAN III Support ===
 
All ND-500 variants ran '''[[SINTRAN III]]''' operating system, which provided:
* Real-time multitasking
* Memory management and paging
* I/O coordination with ND-100 via shared memory
* Monitor calls for system services
 
=== NUCLEUS Runtime ===
 
[[NUCLEUS]] inter-processor messaging was available on:
* '''ND-500-II''' — Via [[OCTOBUS]] line driver, NUCLEUS calls executed in ND-100 at PIL 12
* '''ND-5000''' — Native [[OCTOBUS]], NUCLEUS calls microcoded in CPU for high performance
 
Earlier ND-500/1 and ND-500/2 systems used only shared [[MPM-5]] memory for inter-CPU coordination (pre-NUCLEUS era).
 
== Cost ==
 
The price of the smallest ND-500 system in 1981 was 400,000 German mark, according to a 1981 article in Computerwoche (the source has since disappeared from the internet).
 
== See Also ==


* [[ND-100]] — I/O processor and housekeeping CPU
* [[ND-500-II]] — ND-500/2 with OCTOBUS support
* [[ND-5000]] — Modern successor with native OCTOBUS
* [[SINTRAN III]] — Operating system
* [[NUCLEUS]] — Inter-processor messaging runtime
* [[DOMINO]] — I/O controller system (ND-5000 only)
* [[MPM-5]] — Shared memory system for ND-500
* [[OCTOBUS]] — Serial signaling bus (ND-500-II/ND-5000)


==Cost==
== Sources ==
The price of the smallest ND-500 system in 1981 was 400.000 German mark, according to a 1981 article in Computerwoche (the source has since disappeared from the internet).


==Sources==
<references/>
<references/>
*{{ND-doc|05.009|(ND-05.009.4)}}
*{{ND-doc|05.009|(ND-05.009.4)}}
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[[Category:Norsk Data hardware]]
[[Category:Norsk Data hardware]]
[[Category:32-bit Computers]]
[[Category:ND-500 Series]]

Latest revision as of 12:16, 22 July 2026

The ND-500 is a 32-bit superminicomputer delivered in 1981 by Norsk Data. It relied on a ND-100 to do housekeeping tasks and run the operating system, SINTRAN III. The ND-500 used shared MPM-5 (Multiport Memory 5) to coordinate with its I/O processor and other ND-500 CPUs in the system.

A configuration could feature up to four ND-500 CPUs, in a shared-memory configuration.

Hardware implementations

The ND-500 architecture lived through four distinct implementations. Each implementation was sold under a variety of different model numbers.

ND also sold multiprocessor configurations, naming them ND-580/n and an ND-590n, where n represented the number of CPUs in a given configuration, 2, 3, or 4.

ND-500/1

Sold as the ND-520, ND-540, and ND-560.

CPU Interface
3022 (ND-100 side) + 5015 (ND-500 side) parallel interface
Memory
MPM-5 (Multiport Memory 5)
Messaging
Pre-NUCLEUS, shared-memory synchronization only

ND-500/2

Sold as the ND-510, ND-530, ND-550, ND-560, ND-570 (and various /CX variants as newer ND-1x0 variants became available)

CPU Interface
3022 + 5015 parallel interface (same as ND-500/1)
Memory
MPM-5
Microcode versions
15212-15213 (ND-550/560/570) supporting NUCLEUS on ND-500-II
Messaging
Foundation for NUCLEUS runtime (ND-500-II with OCTOBUS support)

ND-505

A 31-bit version of the ND-500 machine, but . Pin 27 was snipped on the backplane, removing its status as a superminicomputer, allowing it to legally pass through the CoCom embargo. Cocom (Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls) was an embargo on Western exports to East Bloc countries during the Cold War [1], [2]

The ND-505(/CX) uses a 500/2 CPU. 29 bits of addressing space is available for the user [3] (exactly how this relates to the physical 31 bits is not entirely clear).

ND-500-II

The ND-500-II (or ND-500/II) was a model variant of the ND-500/2 that added OCTOBUS connectivity via specialized line driver hardware (PCB 3109 part 324118 or PCB 3096 part 324133).

Key Features
Support for NUCLEUS message-passing runtime
Integration with DOMINO I/O controller systems (via shared NUCLEUS)
Maintained backward compatibility with ND-500/2 code
CPU Interface
3022 + 5015 parallel (unchanged from classic ND-500)
System Bus
MPM-5 + OCTOBUS (via line driver card)
Microcode
15212-15213 (ND-550/560/570 family)

See dedicated ND-500-II article for full architecture and NUCLEUS runtime details.

ND-5000

The ND-5000 family was the latest physical implementation of the ND-500 architecture. Unlike earlier implementations, ND-5000 featured:

Native OCTOBUS
Integrated OCTOBUS interface (no line driver card needed)
Modern memory
MFbus (Multifunction Bus) successor to MPM-5
Optimized messaging
NUCLEUS with time-critical calls microcoded in CPU for sub-microsecond latency
Introduction
1988 (with DOMINO I/O controllers and native OCTOBUS)

Operating System

SINTRAN III Support

All ND-500 variants ran SINTRAN III operating system, which provided:

  • Real-time multitasking
  • Memory management and paging
  • I/O coordination with ND-100 via shared memory
  • Monitor calls for system services

NUCLEUS Runtime

NUCLEUS inter-processor messaging was available on:

  • ND-500-II — Via OCTOBUS line driver, NUCLEUS calls executed in ND-100 at PIL 12
  • ND-5000 — Native OCTOBUS, NUCLEUS calls microcoded in CPU for high performance

Earlier ND-500/1 and ND-500/2 systems used only shared MPM-5 memory for inter-CPU coordination (pre-NUCLEUS era).

Cost

The price of the smallest ND-500 system in 1981 was 400,000 German mark, according to a 1981 article in Computerwoche (the source has since disappeared from the internet).

See Also

  • ND-100 — I/O processor and housekeeping CPU
  • ND-500-II — ND-500/2 with OCTOBUS support
  • ND-5000 — Modern successor with native OCTOBUS
  • SINTRAN III — Operating system
  • NUCLEUS — Inter-processor messaging runtime
  • DOMINO — I/O controller system (ND-5000 only)
  • MPM-5 — Shared memory system for ND-500
  • OCTOBUS — Serial signaling bus (ND-500-II/ND-5000)

Sources

  1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coordinating_Committee_for_Multilateral_Export_Controls
  2. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_computer_hardware_in_Eastern_Bloc_countries
  3. ↑ http://sintran.com/norsk-data/library/libpdpi/ND-505CX-A1-EN.pdf
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