Sun Type 6
 | |
| Branding | Sun Microsystems |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Fujitsu |
| Keyswitches | Rubber dome |
| Interface |
Sun keyboard/mouse interface, USB (later model) |
| Precedes | Sun Type 7 |
| Supersedes | Sun Type 5 |
The Sun Type 6 is a keyboard for Sun workstation computers.
Contents
Construction
The keyboard uses standard Fujitsu rubber domes with sliders on a curved backplane.
The keyboard was available in two colours - light grey with purple, and light grey. All keys do not have the same hue: modifiers are in the same light grey tone as the case while the alphanumeric keys are white. A matching purple or gray wrist rest attached to clips on the underside of the board.
Layout
To the left side, there is a cluster of named function keys:
| Help | |
| Stop | Again |
| Props | Undo |
| Front | Copy |
| Open | Paste |
| Find | Cut |
The space bar row takes one of these forms:
| Control | Alt | Meta | Meta | Compose | Alt Graph |
| Caps Lock | Alt | Meta | Meta | Compose | Alt Graph |
Identification
Analysis of the model numbers from a sample of 42 different eBay listings for Sun Type 6 keyboards suggests that the color, connector, and layout can be predicted from the model number. A larger sample would need to be analyzed to assure consistency. Keyboards using USB have "USB" in the stamped section above the label, but neither this section, nor the plug itself, nor the color of the board can be observed in a NOS listing where the package is fully sealed. This identification guide is designed to help predict the characteristics of a sealed Type 6 keyboard.
Serial Number
The serial number is found beneath the longer bar code, begins with 0000581- or 0039147-, and is followed by a 10 digit unique number. No differentiation between the serial prefixes could be discerned in the analyzed sample, although 0039147 was the more common prefix.
Model Number
The model number is found beneath the shorter bar code, begins with 320127, and ends with -01. The digit following the 7 reveals much about the board. Even numbers represent the all gray version and odd numbers represent the purple and gray version. Additional conclusions beyond color suggested by the data appear in the table below. In the sample of 42 listings, all 8-pin mini DIN boards were All Gray, while all USB boards were Purple/Gray. A larger sample would be needed to determine if any All Gray boards were produced with USB connectors.
| # | Color | Connector | layout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3201270-01 | All Gray | 8-pin mini DIN | IBM |
| 3201271-01 | Purple/Gray | USB | IBM |
| 3201272-01 | All Gray | 8-pin mini DIN | Unix |
| 3201273-01 | Purple/Gray | USB | Unix |
| 3201275-01 | Purple/Gray | USB | Unix |
Style Number
The style number is found in the lower right of the label. It begins with N860- and is followed by a 4-digit number that reveals the connector and another 4 characters beginning with T that reveal the layout. Keyboards with 8705 use an 8-pin mini DIN connector and those with 8706 use USB. T-numbers ending in 0 have the Unix layout while those ending in 1 or 2 have an IBM layout with Capslock in the home row, Escape in the top function row, and Control beneath the Left Shift key. On some models the T-number is longer and ends in /10 (i.e. T401/10). In this case, the number before the /10 should be evaluated. T401/10 is IBM layout while T410/10 is Unix. No difference between T410 and T410/10 could be discerned from the eBay listings.
Examples:
N860-8705-T0001 (8-pin, IBM layout)
N860-8705-T401/10 (8-pin, IBM layout)
N860-8706-T210 (USB, Unix layout)
N860-8706-T410/10 (USB, Unix layout)
Line Number
There is a 3-character number in the bottom right corner of the label after the Style Number beginning with 0, ending with A, and having the number 1-5 in between i.e. 01A or 04A. This number does not correlate to any observable characteristics as 01A can be found on boards with either connector, color, or layout. It is possible that this number refers to the production line on which the keyboard was made.
Cable and protocol
The Sun Type 6 has a fixed cable and the underside has cable channels for both cables going to the left and right. Earlier examples use Sun's proprietary mini-DIN interface, but Sun later introduced USB on their workstations and servers.
Gallery
Label at the back
Front view, left side
Front view, right side
Grey-only version
Original box (also contained palm rest, mouse and mouse mat)
