Apple Workgroup Server 8550
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| Workgroup Server 8550/200, from Apple's data sheet | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple Computer, Inc. |
| Type | Minitower file server |
| Released | 26 February 1996 (8550/132); 14 September 1996 (8550/200) |
| CPU | PowerPC 604 at 132 MHz or PowerPC 604e at 200 MHz, on a processor card |
| Memory | 24 MB (8550/132) or 32 MB (8550/200) standard; eight 168-pin DIMM slots, 70 ns; 512 MB maximum |
| Storage | 2 GB 7200 rpm SCSI hard drive, with bracket and cable for a second drive; DDS-2 DAT drive in some configurations |
| Display | 2 MB VRAM, expandable to 4 MB; DB-15 |
| Sound | 16-bit stereo in and out |
| ROM | 4 MB |
| Media | 1.4 MB SuperDrive; AppleCD 600i (4×) or 1200i (8×) |
| Connectivity | Ethernet: AAUI-15 and 10BASE-T |
| Expansion | Three PCI slots |
| Power | 100-240 V AC; 225 W |
| Dimensions | 14 × 7.7 × 15.75 in (35.6 × 19.6 × 40.0 cm) |
| Weight | 25 lb (11.3 kg) |
| OS / Firmware | System 7.5.3 |
The Apple Workgroup Server 8550 is a minitower file server that Apple introduced on 26 February 1996 as the 8550/132 and followed with the 8550/200 in September 1996. It is built on the Power Macintosh 8500 in the minitower case of the Power Macintosh 8100 and Macintosh Quadra 800, and Apple services it in the same manual as the 8500. Cameron Kaiser notes that it was the first Workgroup Server with a PowerPC 604.[1][2][3][4]
Server bundle
Both models were sold in four configurations: the Applications Server Solution and the AppleShare Server Solution, each with a DAT drive, an AppleShare configuration without one, and an Internet Server Solution. All have a 512 KB cache, a 2 GB hard drive and System 7.5.3.[5][6]
| Bundle | 8550/132 | 8550/200 | Software |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applications Server Solution (DAT) | M4342LL/A | M5488LL/A | FileWave, netOctopus, Apple RAID, Retrospect Remote, Virex, 4-Sight FAX, Now Contact and Up-to-Date, Viper, Skyline/Satellite |
| AppleShare Server Solution (DAT) | M4340LL/A | M5489LL/A | The above plus AppleShare 4.2.1, Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server and Server Manager from Santorini |
| AppleShare Server Solution (no DAT) | M4343LL/A | M5486LL/A | As above without the DAT drive or Retrospect Remote |
| Internet Server Solution | M4341LL/A | M5487LL/A | Apple Internet Server Solution CD (WebSTAR, PageMill, MacDNS, NetCloak and others) and Apple RAID |
Differences from the desktop model
- Cache and memory. The WS 8550 has a 512 KB level-2 cache, where the 8500 has 256 KB, and 24 MB of DRAM as standard.[3]
- Drives. The WS 8550 holds up to two hard drives in a metal drive bracket (922-2253) instead of the 8500's plastic carrier, and the optional DAT drive (661-0039) sits in the third bay from the top. The internal SCSI cable has a fast SCSI connector (the top one, vertical) and a slow SCSI connector (bottom, horizontal), and Apple gives separate cabling diagrams for one and for two hard drives; with one drive a terminator is fitted on the cable. To take the logic board out of a WS 8550, pivot its front out until the fast SCSI connector can be reached and unplug it.[3]
- No AV module. The 8500's AV module, with composite and S-video in and out, is not fitted to the WS 8550.[3]
- Logic board. Apple's exploded view lists logic board 661-1154 and processor cards 661-1157 and 661-1223 for the WS 8550. The power supply, 661-0923, is the one listed for the 8500.[3]
Specifications
| Item | 8550/132 | 8550/200 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | PowerPC 604, 132 MHz, 32 KB on-chip cache | PowerPC 604e, 200 MHz, 64 KB on-chip cache |
| Cache | 512 KB level-2 cache DIMM | |
| Memory | 24 MB | 32 MB |
| Memory expansion | Eight DIMM slots for 5 V, 64-bit, 168-pin fast-page DIMMs, 70 ns or faster; 512 MB maximum; matching pairs in paired slots interleave | |
| Video | 2 MB VRAM, expandable to 4 MB; DB-15 port | |
| Storage | 2 GB 7200 rpm drive, AppleCD 600i 4× | 2 GB 7200 rpm drive, AppleCD 1200i 8× |
| SCSI | Two buses, up to eight devices; fast SCSI (10 MB/s) on the internal bus | |
| Ports | SCSI (DB-25), ADB, two GeoPort serial, AAUI-15 and 10BASE-T Ethernet (one at a time), DB-15, sound in and out | |
| Electrical | 100-240 V AC; 225 W maximum, not including the display | |
| Size and weight | 14 × 7.7 × 15.75 in; 25 lb | |
The Service Source describes both models as having a PowerPC 604 with 32 KB of cache; Apple's specification page and data sheet for the 8550/200 give a 604e with 64 KB.[3][2][6] The 8550/200 data sheet gives 32 MB as standard where the Service Source gives 24 MB for the WS 8550.[6][3]
Upgrade kit
Apple's WorkGroup Server 8550/132 Upgrade Kit converts a Apple Workgroup Server 80, 8150/80 or 8150/110 into an 8550/132. The kit has no DRAM and no hard drive bracket; the drives, carriers, bezels, shields, speaker and several cables move across from the old unit, and the serial number is copied to a blank label on the upgraded unit.[3][7]
Maintenance and repair
The WS 8550 is serviced from the Power Macintosh 8200 and 8500 Series/WS 8550 Service Source, which covers its take-apart, symptom charts and upgrades.[3] The case is the 8100 and Quadra 800 minitower; the Macintosh Quadra 800 General Maintenance guide covers the case, but its power supply, logic board, memory and drive sections do not apply. The clock battery is a 3.6 V lithium cell.[1] For general methods see Capacitor Failure Symptoms, Hard Drive Maintenance and Repair and Battery Explosion, Capacitor or Corrosion Damage.
Documentation
- Power Macintosh 8200 and 8500 Series/WS 8550 Service Source: Apple's service manual for the 8200, 8500 and WS 8550.
- File:Workgroup Server 8550-132 Data Sheet.pdf and File:Workgroup Server 8550-200 Data Sheet.pdf: Apple's data sheets.
Related pages
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Apple, "Workgroup Server 8550/132: Technical Specifications" (retrieved 2026-10-02). Introduced 2/26/1996; PowerPC 604 at 132 MHz, 64-bit data path at 44 MHz; 32K L1, 512K L2 cache; 3 PCI; 225 W; 100-240 V; battery 3.6 V lithium; eight 168-pin DIMM slots, 24-512 MB, 70 ns; 2 MB VRAM, 4 MB maximum; form factor Quadra 800; Gestalt ID 69; 25 lb; 14 × 7.7 × 15.75 in; System 7.5.3; 2 GB hard drive; 4× CD-ROM.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Apple, "Workgroup Server 8550/200: Technical Specifications" (retrieved 2026-10-02). Introduced 9/14/1996; PowerPC 604e at 200 MHz, 64K L1 cache, data path 50 MHz; 512K L2; 32-512 MB; 8× 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 8200 and 8500 Series/WS 8550 Service Source, hosted here as File:Powermac_8500_series.pdf (see Power Macintosh 8200 and 8500 Series/WS 8550 Service Source). PDF pages: overview pp. 3-9; memory configurations p. 17; Ethernet p. 20; fast SCSI p. 26; rear panel pp. 27-28; WS 8550 logic board p. 33; processor p. 40; memory and cache pp. 41-42; I/O p. 43; disk storage p. 48; take-apart: DAT tape drive pp. 92-94, hard drive (WS 8550) pp. 98-103, AV module note p. 135, logic board p. 141; WorkGroup Server 8550/132 upgrade pp. 146-147; exploded view p. 150.
- ↑ Cameron Kaiser, "MkLinux and a pimped-out Apple Workgroup Server", Old Vintage Computing Research, August 2026 (retrieved 2026-10-02). February 1996 introduction of the WGS 8550 from the Power Macintosh 8500 as the first 604-based Workgroup Server, with the WGS 7250 and AISS 2.0.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Apple Computer, Workgroup Server 8550/132 data sheet, L01650A (May 1997), hosted here as File:Workgroup Server 8550-132 Data Sheet.pdf. Configurations M4342LL/A, M4340LL/A, M4343LL/A and M4341LL/A; bundled software; technical specifications.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Apple Computer, Workgroup Server 8550/200 data sheet, L01650B (May 1997), hosted here as File:Workgroup Server 8550-200 Data Sheet.pdf. Configurations M5488LL/A, M5489LL/A, M5486LL/A and M5487LL/A; technical specifications.
- ↑ Apple Computer, Macintosh Quadra 800/WS 80 Service Source, hosted here as File:Quadra_800.ws_80.pdf. Upgrades: WorkGroup Server 8550/132 Upgrade, PDF pp. 71-73.