Apple Workgroup Server 8150
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| Workgroup Server 8150 in use at Bowling Green State University, 2020 (Mbrickn, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0) | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple Computer, Inc. |
| Type | Minitower file server |
| Released | 25 April 1994 (8150); 3 April 1995 (8150/110) |
| Discontinued | 17 April 1995 (8150); 22 April 1996 (8150/110) |
| CPU | PowerPC 601 at 80 MHz (8150) or 110 MHz (8150/110) |
| Memory | 8 MB on the logic board (16 MB standard on the 8150/110); eight 72-pin SIMM sockets, used in pairs; 264 MB maximum |
| Storage | Up to two internal hard drives (500 MB to 2 GB as shipped); DDS-2 DAT drive in most configurations |
| Display | Built-in DRAM video, HDI-45 port; no VRAM |
| Sound | 16-bit stereo in and out |
| ROM | 4 MB on a ROM SIMM |
| Media | 1.4 MB SuperDrive; AppleCD 300 Plus or AppleCD 600 |
| Connectivity | Built-in Ethernet (AAUI-15) |
| Expansion | Three NuBus slots; one processor-direct slot (terminator card fitted) |
| Power | 100-240 V AC; 200 W |
| Dimensions | 14 × 7.7 × 15.75 in |
| Weight | 25.3 lb (11.5 kg) |
| OS / Firmware | System 7.1.2 (8150); System 7.5.1 (8150/110) |
The Apple Workgroup Server 8150 is a minitower file server that Apple introduced in April 1994, one of its first three PowerPC servers with the Apple Workgroup Server 6150 and Apple Workgroup Server 9150. It is the Power Macintosh 8100, which uses the Macintosh Quadra 800 case, sold without the 8100's video card and with a DAT tape drive and server software; Apple services both in one manual. The 8150 runs at 80 MHz and the 8150/110 of April 1995 at 110 MHz.[1][2][3]
History and server bundle
Cameron Kaiser describes the 8150 as based on the 8100/80, with an 80 MHz 601, three NuBus slots and a processor-direct slot, 8 or 16 MB, a 256 KB level-2 cache, a DDS tape drive and a 500 MB or 1 GB hard disk. Apple's first PowerPC servers came with Apple RAID software, AppleShare 4.0.2, AppleSearch, Apple Internet Router and Apple Remote Access 2.0, and the DAT-equipped models also had Retrospect Remote for backups.[4]
The 8150/110 data sheet lists four configurations with 16 MB, a 256 KB cache, a 1 GB drive and a quadruple-speed AppleCD 600i Plus drive, with or without the DAT drive and AppleShare 4.1, one of them sold as the Apple Internet Server Solution; a build-to-order chassis came with 8 MB. Its server tools are FileWave, Server Manager (AppleShare configurations), Apple RAID and Retrospect Remote (DAT configurations), with Now Contact, Now Up-to-Date, Viper Instant-Access and AppleShare Client for Windows for users.[5]
Differences from the desktop model
- Video. The 8100 has a video card with 2 MB of VRAM, or the AV card, in its processor-direct slot. The WS 8150 has neither and drives its HDI-45 port from logic board DRAM; Apple lists its VRAM as "none".[3] The slot holds a termination card instead. Apple's Administrator's Guide warns that the slot must always hold either the termination card or a working card such as a video card, and to keep the termination card if it is replaced.[6] Kaiser adds that, according to Apple's own technical note, the terminator was only shipped with the WGS 8150 and 9150, and that these systems will not work with the slot empty.[4]
- Storage. The internal startup disk is on the internal SCSI bus with ID 0, and the server takes up to two internal hard drives. The CD-ROM and DAT drives sit on the external bus with IDs 3 and 2 reserved, so external devices can use IDs 1, 4, 5 and 6.[6][5] The DAT drive is Apple part 661-0039; Kaiser identifies it as an HP C1533A DDS-2 drive.[3][4]
- RAID. Workgroup Server drives set up with Apple RAID are initialised with Apple RAID, not HD SC Setup, and a replacement drive needs the RAID software reinstalled.[3]
Specifications
| Item | 8150 | 8150/110 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | PowerPC 601, 80 MHz | PowerPC 601, 110 MHz |
| Cache | 32 KB on-chip; 256 KB level-2 cache SIMM | |
| Memory | 8 MB soldered | 16 MB (8 MB soldered and two 4 MB SIMMs) |
| Memory expansion | Eight 72-pin sockets for pairs of matching non-composite SIMMs, 80 ns or faster; 264 MB maximum | |
| ROM | 4 MB on a ROM SIMM | |
| Video | DRAM-based, HDI-45 port; no VRAM | |
| Hard drive | 500 MB, 1 GB or 2 GB | 1 GB |
| CD-ROM | AppleCD 300 Plus | AppleCD 600 |
| Expansion | Three NuBus slots; one processor-direct slot with termination card | |
| Electrical | 100-240 V AC; 200 W maximum, not including the display | |
| Size and weight | 14 × 7.7 × 15.75 in; 25.3 lb | |
The data sheet prints the size as 14.25 × 8.9 × 16.0 in with metric figures (30.6 × 19.6 × 39.6 cm) that do not match those inches; Apple's specification pages give 14 × 7.7 × 15.75 in.[5][1]
Upgrades
Apple's WS 8150 logic board kit upgrades a Apple Workgroup Server 80; it comes with new SCSI and power cables, which must be used because the old ones are not forward compatible.[3] Apple notes that units upgraded to the 8150 board need a video terminator card in the processor-direct slot for proper bus termination.[3] The WorkGroup Server 8550/132 Upgrade Kit turns an 8150 or 8150/110 into a Workgroup Server 8550/132.[3]
Maintenance and repair
The case, power supply and drive layout are those of the Quadra 800 and WS 80. Apple's exploded view lists power supply 661-1687 (or 661-0232), the same 661-1687 as the Quadra 800.[3] The Quadra 800 guides cover the case, drives and power supply; their logic board, memory and video sections do not apply:
- Macintosh Quadra 800 General Maintenance
- Macintosh Quadra 800 Troubleshooting
- Macintosh Quadra 800 Capacitor Replacement Guide
The clock battery is a 3.6 V lithium cell; Apple's check is made with the top housing and logic board removed, and the cell is replaced below 3.2 V.[1][3] If it has leaked, see Battery Explosion, Capacitor or Corrosion Damage.
For the DAT drive, Apple recommends cleaning the heads with a DDS cleaning cassette after every 25 hours of running time and replacing the cassette after 25 uses. A flashing amber clean light means dirty heads or a worn tape; a solid amber light is an error.[6] To restart automatically after a power failure, tick "Automatically restart after power failure" in the Auto Power On/Off control panel.[6]
Documentation
- Power Macintosh 8100/ WS 8150 Service Source: Apple's service manual for the 8100 and WS 8150.
- Workgroup Server 8150 Administrator's Guide: the owner's guide for the 8150/110.
- File:Workgroup Server 8150-110 Data Sheet.pdf: Apple's two-page data sheet.
Related pages
- Macintosh Quadra 800
- Apple Workgroup Server 80
- Apple Workgroup Server 8550
- Apple Workgroup Server 9150
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Apple, "Workgroup Server 8150: Technical Specifications" (retrieved 2026-10-02). Introduced 4/25/1994, discontinued 4/17/1995; PowerPC 601 at 80 MHz, 64-bit data path at 40 MHz; 256K L2 cache; 3 NuBus and 1 PDS; HDI-45 video; 200 W; battery 3.6 V lithium; 8 MB on the logic board, eight 72-pin SIMMs in pairs, 8-264 MB, 80 ns; form factor Quadra 800; Gestalt ID 65; 25.3 lb; 14 × 7.7 × 15.75 in; System 7.1.2 with PowerPC Enabler 1.0; 500 MB or 1 GB hard drive.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Apple, "Workgroup Server 8150/110: Technical Specifications" (retrieved 2026-10-02). Introduced 4/3/1995, discontinued 4/22/1996; PowerPC 601+ at 110 MHz, data path 36.7 MHz; 16-264 MB; Gestalt ID 40; System 7.5.1; 1 GB hard drive; 4× CD-ROM.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 Apple Computer, Power Macintosh 8100/WS 8150 Service Source, hosted here as File:Powermac_8100.ws_8150.pdf (see Power Macintosh 8100/ WS 8150 Service Source). PDF pages: Apple RAID Software p. 19; processor p. 23; memory pp. 24-25; disk storage pp. 26-27; hard drive symptom charts pp. 52-53; battery verification pp. 94-96; upgrades: Power Macintosh upgrade pp. 115-119, WorkGroup Server 8550/132 upgrade p. 126; exploded view p. 130.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Cameron Kaiser, "MkLinux and a pimped-out Apple Workgroup Server", Old Vintage Computing Research, August 2026 (retrieved 2026-10-02). The 6150 and 8150 as reworked 6100 and 8100 models; 8150 configuration; bundled software; PDS terminator only shipped with the WGS 8150 and 9150; the HP C1533A DDS-2 drive used in the AWS 95 and WGS 8150.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Apple Computer, Workgroup Server 8150/110 data sheet, L00685C (May 1997), hosted here as File:Workgroup Server 8150-110 Data Sheet.pdf. Configurations M4042LL/A, M4065LL/A, M4007LL/A, M4043LL/A and M4141LL/A; bundled software; technical specifications.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Apple Computer, Administrator's Guide for the Workgroup Server 8150/110 (1995), hosted here as File:Workgroup Server 8150-110 Administrator's Guide.pdf (see Workgroup Server 8150 Administrator's Guide). Printed pages: automatic restart after a power failure p. 13; PDS termination card pp. 26, 29; SCSI ID numbers pp. 34-35; DAT drive chapter pp. 49-54 (status lights p. 52, head cleaning p. 54).