Upon the date 11:53 PM 10/28/99 -0600, Mark Gregory said something like:
Hello Mark,
I've got one of these systems. A 9370 model 60 (uses a 9375-60 processor.)
This one is purported to be the first regular production unit sold to a
customer (my ex-employer). Serial no. (something)0001. Not near the machine
presently. I have not successfully gotten it running at home _yet_. I'm not
an expert at IBM big iron but have been learning bits here and there. I've
not had it turned on to continue with run-up since late '97 because of
"minor" events in our homelife (moving to a new house, unemployment, etc.)
The IPL fails for reasons unknown so far. I got the PS/2 Model 30 console
with it plus all its floppies and a heap 'o hardware docs.
>There is an IBM 9370 Mainframe coming available in my area, and I'm
>considering acquiring it (never had my own mainframe to play with).
Mainframe? Yeah, I guess it could still be called that because of its
intended application to handle a whole enterprise plus it is a CMOS
implementation of the good ol' S/370 iron. However, its performance was
rather poor compared to IBM's newer AS/400 family launched about the same
time as or just before the 9370.
>I haven't been able to find much on the Web about this family of systems.
>Can anyone point me to some info or confirm/deny the following facts:
>
>System produced: circa 1986 - 1988
I think production stopped in 1990. The AS/400's of the time could whip the
9370 and it apparently didn't sell all that well from what I can tell. Mine
came off the line in late-'87 as I recall since that's when the company
completed the new computer center at a separate downtown building.
>Intended market: "departmental mainframe", 20-100 users
>Operating system: VM/SE
>Dimensions: Refridgeratorish
>Weight: 300 lb racks; 200-300 lb processor assembly; drives ???
The 9375-60 processor in mine weighs 130 kilos. Had to completely dismantle
it so I could move it and carry it downstairs. Much too large to simply
remove the boards and PSU's and carry it alone.
>Typical peripherals: DASD drives, high-volume, heavy printers (500 lbs +),
>tape drives, PS/2 consoles
>Networking: ASCII subsystem for terminals, Ethernet?
No, typically the SNA 3270 network.
>Power and Cooling requirements: 3 phase power (240 V)??
Single phase 240V. I use a 30A double pole breaker off my panel.
>
>I suspect that this system will be too large for my available space; is
The cabinets were too big to stuff down the basement stairs at our old
house. Even this house we recently moved into _just_ misses having the
basement entrance off the garage big enough to allow the cabs to squirt
through. Indeed they are big and clumsy to handle, over 300 pounds stripped
down to the paint. Conditions out in our uninsulated garage preclude
storing it out there because of the Fall/Winter/early Spring weather around
here (dampness at times, large temp. swings too). So I didn't bring the
cabs home (had to scrap 'em) and just have the components setting in a
heavy-duty 19" equipment rack on wheels :(
>anyone else in or near Western Canada interested in the system in whole or
>in part? Thanks for any help.
Western Canada . . . Dang. I wish you were close to me (basically just
inland across Lake Erie from ON.) Then I might attempt getting it, finding
a big bucket of grease and trying to get a rack squeezed down into the
basement here.
Several of us discussed the 9370's on this list back in early 1998
(February?) Check the ClassicCmp archives under '9370' at
<
http://www.heydon.org/kevan/mlists/classiccmp/> for the months around 2/98.
I *need* OS docs for this machine too. I understand it has VSE of some sort
(recall I haven't gotten 'er up and runnin' yet). Probably been updated to
the mid-1993 timeperiod releases.
>Mark Gregory
>
Christian Fandt, Electronic/Electrical Historian
Jamestown, NY USA cfandt_at_netsync.net
Member of Antique Wireless Association
URL:
http://www.antiquewireless.org/
Received on Tue Nov 16 1999 - 14:54:32 GMT