Re: Dock II

[strat@dsd.northrop.com (Scott Stratmoen)]

The following the is IBM announcement for the IBM Dock II. I will post a
followup with my comments on the unit.


NUMBER     194-215
DATE       940621
TITLE      IBM THINKPAD DOCK II

ABSTRACT

The ThinkPad (R) Dock II is a desktop expansion unit for the ThinkPad 750, 755
and 360 family.  With this unit, you have the advantages of a desktop personal
computer without sacrificing portability.  The ThinkPad Dock II eliminates the
need for a separate desktop personal computer, reducing overall costs and
simplifying the management of multiple systems.

The blending of the portable ThinkPad with the desktop unit gives you the best
of both worlds.  You can be free from the constraints of the desktop when you
need to be, taking the tools (the ThinkPad with all the data and applications)
directly to the work.  Then, when you need the power of the desktop, simply slip
the ThinkPad into the ThinkPad Dock II.

The ThinkPad Dock II offers:

o Two full-length, 16-bit Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) slots and two
  PCMCIA slots for adapters, such as token-ring and Ethernet local area network
  (LAN) adapters

o Two 5.25-inch bays for SCSI-2 or IDE storage devices, such as hard disk drives
  and CD-ROMs

o Cable management provided by a full complement of ports

o Multimedia capability provided through:
    -   CD-ROM capability (optional)
    -   Internal stereo speakers
    -   Speaker-in and audio-out jacks
    -   Headphone jack

ThinkPad Dock II also provides fail-safe docking.  This is a series of visual
and audio warnings designed to prevent loss of data when docking or undocking
the notebook.  The ThinkPad Dock II is also Plug and Play (PnP) aware, allowing
the docking and undocking of a powered-on or suspended PnP aware ThinkPad.

The ThinkPad Dock II is part of a wide range of docking solutions for the
ThinkPad 750, 755 and 360 family of portables.  The solutions include:

o   Port Replicator Model I -- cable management with connectivity (PCMCIA)
o   Port Replicator Model II -- cable management
o   Dock I -- portable docking that is multimedia ready

In addition to ThinkPad Dock II, an optional display shelf and an optional tape
backup unit (for the 1-inch high bay) are now available.  The ThinkPad Dock II
Display Shelf sits on top of the Dock II to accommodate an external CRT.  The
ThinkPad 555MB (million bytes) Tape Backup Unit allows you to back up the
high-capacity hard disks now available with the ThinkPads.  A special offering
in also available that includes the Display Shelf and the ThinkPad Dock II under
a single part number (84G5257).

       Single Unit Price:  $719 (ThinkPad Dock II)
       Planned Availability Date:  July 29, 1994

(R) Registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation

IN BRIEF . . .

The ThinkPad Dock II:

o Expands the flexibilities and capabilities of the ThinkPad 750, 755 and 360
  family of portables

o Provides cable management, connectivity and full desktop capability through
  slots, bays and port replication

o Connects seamlessly to additional resources through fail-safe
  docking/undocking and Plug and Play ready features

o Exploits existing technology (ISA slots and IDE bays) while incorporating new
  technology with PCMCIA and SCSI-2 features

o Provides for a total customer solution by offering an addition to the existing
  ThinkPad 750 docking solutions

o Supports existing options:
    -   ThinkPad Space Saver keyboard (black)
    -   ThinkPad Numeric Keypad (an option for the Space Saver keyboard)
    -   ThinkPad Hard Disks (for the 1-inch high bay) -- require the
        Hard Disk Drive (HDD) Installation Kit
        --  170MB
        --  250MB
        --  340MB
        --  540MB
        --  810MB
    -   ThinkPad CD-ROM Installation Kit
    -   ThinkPad HDD Installation Kit
    -   ThinkPad Internal SCSI Device Installation Kit

SUPPORTED SYSTEMS:

o ThinkPad 750 family (9545)
o ThinkPad 755 family (9545)
o ThinkPad 360 family (2620)

DESKTOP-EQUIVALENT FEATURES:

o Two full-size ISA 16-bit slots
o Two 5.25-inch bays, one 1-inch high and one half high
o Two PCMCIA slots, accommodating two Type I/II cards, or one Type I/II and one
  Type III card, or one PCMCIA card with a maximum height of 16 mm
o Full port replication:  Serial, EPP, SVGA, keyboard-keypad, pointer
o Floppy disk drive (FDD) connector
o Internal and external SCSI-2 connector
o Internal, 2.5-inch IDE HDD connector

AUDIO FEATURES:

o   Speaker-in jacks
o   Audio-out jacks
o   Headphone jack
o   Internal stereo speakers
o   Manual volume control

SECURITY FEATURES:

o Key lock that secures the ThinkPad, locks top cover of Dock II and disables
  the next power-on sequence

o PCMCIA card lock

o Security slot located on the back of the Dock II, designed to be compatible
  with the Kensington MicroSaver** Security System, a cable lock available from
  resellers worldwide

** Product or company name is a trademark or registered trademark of its
   respective holder.

EASE-OF-USE FEATURES:

o Docking tray with positive dock indicator
o LCD system status indicators
o Top cover removed by thumbscrews, no tools required
o Emergency undock capability in the event of a power failure
o Fail-safe docking and undocking to prevent inadvertent loss of data
o Plug and Play ready, allowing the docking and undocking of a powered-on or
  suspended PnP aware notebook

The ThinkPad Dock II provides customers with desktop capability without
sacrificing portability through the seamless interaction of Dock II and the
notebooks.  ThinkPad 750, 755 and 360 users now have a complete suite of docking
alternatives ranging from simple cable management (Port Replicator Model II) to
cable management with connectivity (Port Replicator Model I with PCMCIA) to
portable docking (Dock I) to full desktop capability (ThinkPad Dock II).

PLUG AND PLAY:  Plug and Play is a set of specifications for hardware
manufacturers designed to make configuring computer systems easier for the
users.  The ThinkPad Dock II is Plug and Play enabled.  PnP aware hardware, such
as PC adapter cards, is self configuring, so users do not have to set switches
(assuming a PnP operating system is installed on the computer).  PnP also has a
key role in docking.  With PnP features, users can dock or undock a powered-on
or suspended PnP aware notebook.  The notebook is "smart" enough to know that
the environment has changed (for example, no longer connected to a network) and
reconfigures itself through the PnP operating system.  To take full advantage of
the PnP ease-of-use features, users must have all the components of the PnP
architecture, which includes:

o PnP aware hardware (such as, docking station, notebook computers, PC adapter
  cards, and PC storage devices)

o PnP operating system (with hardware device drivers)

The ThinkPad Dock II is PnP aware.  Users can upgrade ThinkPads 755 and 360 to
PnP aware by installing the BIOS upgrade on the System Program Service diskette,
shipped with the ThinkPad Dock II.  Non-PnP aware ThinkPads (for example, the
ThinkPad 750) can dock to the ThinkPad Dock II and have access to all its
resources (for example, slots and bays), but ThinkPad 750 has to be powered off
before any docking or undocking can take place.

Currently, no PnP operating systems are available, so the full benefits of PnP
(for example, the automatic reconfiguring and/or configuring of PC adapter
cards) cannot be realized.  However, the ThinkPad Dock II is ready to exploit
the full advantages of PnP as soon as PnP operating systems are available.  In
the meantime, to bring users as much function as possible, including the
capability of docking and undocking a powered-on or suspended PnP aware
ThinkPad, fail-safe docking and undocking, PnP SCSI, and PassThru Mode are
incorporated into the ThinkPad Dock II.

Fail-safe docking and undocking is a system of messages (audio and visual) and
hardware/software interlocks that attempt to prevent loss of data when users
dock or undock a ThinkPad.  PnP SCSI allows users to access a SCSI storage
device upon docking a powered-on (hot docking) or suspended (warming docking)
PnP aware notebook, without having to shut down applications or reboot the
system.  PassThru Mode allows users access to devices attached to the ports (for
example, keyboard, printer, mouse and CRT) upon docking a powered-on or
suspended PnP aware notebook without rebooting the system.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

ENABLE CUSTOMER'S COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

The ThinkPad Dock II frees users from the constraints of the desktop without
limiting desktop capability.  Users can now bring the tools (the ThinkPad with
all the data and applications) directly to the work, gaining improvements in
productivity.  When the power of the desktop is needed, users can simply slip
the ThinkPad into ThinkPad Dock II.

ENABLING NEW APPLICATIONS

The ThinkPad Dock II has slots and bays that are compatible with a large number
of adapters, PCMCIA cards and storage devices.  Items such as CD-ROM and
multimedia PC adapters may be inserted into Dock II.  This in conjunction with
the internal stereo speakers and the integrated audio capabilities of the
ThinkPad 750/755 facilitates multimedia applications or any application
requiring large storage capacity, PC adapters or PCMCIA cards.

ACCESS TO ENTERPRISE DATA

The slots in ThinkPad Dock II accept a large number of ISA PC boards and PCMCIA
PC cards.  Network cards such as token-ring and Ethernet cards may be placed in
the slots, allowing connectivity to other systems.

INCREASED CAPACITY/PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT

With slots that accept a large number of ISA PC boards and PCMCIA PC cards, and
bays for industry standard storage devices, the ThinkPad Dock II extends the
performance and capacity of the ThinkPad.

INTEROPERABILITY IMPROVEMENTS

The ThinkPad Dock II is designed to accommodate the ThinkPad 750, 755 and 360
family of portable A4-sized (8.3 x 11.7 inches) notebook computers.  A large
account, for example, can now buy a variety of ThinkPads and use the same
docking solutions:  Dock II, Dock I, Port Replicator Model I or Port Replicator
Model II.

IMPROVED WORKER PRODUCTIVITY

Because of its slots and bays, the ThinkPad Dock II allows for expansion
capabilities.  Dock II also provides cable management by providing a full
complement of ports in the back of the unit.  These features in conjunction with
the Dock II fail-safe and Plug and Play capabilities provides the end user with
a seamless and portable desktop solution -- the best of both worlds.

DATA INTEGRITY IMPROVEMENTS

The ThinkPad Dock II incorporates fail-safe docking and undocking.  This is a
system of messages (audio and visual) and hardware/software interlocks that
attempts to prevent the loss of data when users dock or undock a ThinkPad.

IMPROVED SYSTEMS AVAILABILITY

The ThinkPad Dock II offers fail-safe docking and undocking and is Plug and Play
aware.  Since PnP aware operating systems are not available, the ThinkPad Dock
II comes with utilities that allow users to dock and undock a powered-on or
suspended PnP aware Thinkpad.  The capability to access peripherals attached to
the ports, such as keyboards, printers and displays, and to access attached
SCSI-2 devices (either internal or external) is called PassThru Mode.

MANAGING MULTIPLE SYSTEMS

The incorporation of fail-safe docking and undocking, and Plug and Play
capabilities makes it much easier and more desirable for users to have one
system, instead of a portable and a desktop.  This reduces the cost and
complexity of managing multiple systems.

SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS

The ThinkPad Dock II incorporates multiple security features.  When the
supported ThinkPad is locked into the Dock II, access to the ThinkPad and its
components can be prevented.  The resources of the Dock II, the ISA adapters,
PCMCIA cards and storage devices can also be locked in the system to prevent
unauthorized access.  To further protect the Dock II from theft, a cable lock
provision (security slot) is incorporated, so users can physically secure Dock
II using the Kensington MicroSaver** Security System, a cable lock available
from resellers worldwide.

** Product or company name is a trademark or registered trademark of
   its respective holder.

PORTABILITY IMPROVEMENTS

ThinkPad Dock II is designed to provide users with desktop capability without
restricting its portability.  Dock II does this by providing cable management,
enterprise connectivity, and expansion through its slots and bays.  The
fail-safe and Plug and Play features allow for the seamless integration of the
ThinkPad into a desktop system.

ADVANCED ARCHITECTURES

Along with two full-length, 16-bit ISA slots, the ThinkPad Dock II incorporates
two evolving technologies, PCMCIA and SCSI-2.  PCMCIA cards are not much bigger
than a credit card and many options, such as modems, hard disks and network
interface cards, are available in this form.  The internal and external SCSI-2
connector allows users to attach devices requiring the SCSI protocol.  These two
technologies can provide users with productivity improvements well into the
future.

UPGRADEABILITY IMPROVEMENTS

The ThinkPad Dock II has two full-length, 16-bit ISA slots, two PCMCIA PC card
slots, and two industry standard storage bays.  The slots and bays allow users
to upgrade the system with ISA adapters, PCMCIA PC cards, and storage devices.
The 1-inch high bay in Dock II can also accommodate the hard disk from the
ThinkPad or the ThinkPad 555MB Tape Backup Unit.

PCMCIA SUBSYSTEM

Features of the PCMCIA subsystem include:

o Conformance to PCMCIA 2.1 and JEIDA 4.1 Interface

o Support of two 68-pin sockets, accommodating two Type I/II cards, or one Type
  I/II card and one Type III card, or one PCMCIA card with a maximum height of
  16 mm

o Memory and I/O window mapping to avoid system configuration conflict

o Power management functions:
    -   Insertion/removal capability
    -   Individual socket power control

o Interrupt steering to eliminate interrupt level conflict

o Maximum low power mode capability

SCSI SUBSYSTEM

The ThinkPad Dock II has a SCSI subsystem standard on the planar, featuring:

o   Complete ASPI, SCSI-2 compatibility
o   Plug and Play ISA Specification conformance
o   Automatic configuration support through Configuration Manager
o   Transfer rate of 10MB/sec (fast sync)

PLUG AND PLAY

Plug and Play is a set of specifications for hardware manufacturers designed to
make configuring computer systems easier for users.  The ThinkPad Dock II is
Plug and Play enabled.  PnP aware hardware, such as PC adapter cards, are self
configuring, so users do not have to set switches (assuming a PnP operating
system is installed on the ThinkPad).

PRODUCT POSITIONING

The ThinkPad Dock II is positioned as a desktop expansion unit for the ThinkPad
750, 755 and 360 family of portables.  The ThinkPad Dock II complements the
existing docking solutions for the ThinkPad 750 family.  With this announcement,
IBM now offers four docking solutions for the ThinkPad 750, 755 and 360
families:

o ThinkPad Dock II -- full desktop expansion capabilities

o ThinkPad Dock I -- portable docking unit that is multimedia-ready

o IBM Port Replicator Model I -- hardware slice providing cable management and
  connectivity through a Type III PCMCIA slot

o IBM Port Replicator Model II -- hardware slice providing cable management

These docking solutions are designed to provide the end user with the most
flexible computing environment possible.  The solutions are intended to provide
desktop capability without sacrificing portability.  These solutions provide
customers with a single systems image that seamlessly combines portability and
desktop functionality.

PUBLICATIONS

The following publication and diskettes are shipped with the ThinkPad Dock II:

                                        ORDER         PART
DESCRIPTION                             NUMBER        NUMBER

ThinkPad Dock II User's Guide           S84G-9682     84G9682
ThinkPad Dock II Diskette Package       S84G-9697     84G9697

The IBM THINKPAD DOCK II USER'S GUIDE is available to IBM Authorized Industry