Features of the new 9406 3XXs
The new AS/400 models – the 9406 Models 300, 310 and 320, cover the performance range from the old 9404 Model F20 to the 9406 Model F97. Although there are fewer machines, users can pick from several processor options, giving different performance levels and storage capacity. The Multi-Function I/O Processor provides support for disk storage, internal tape – on Models 300 and 310 – and two communication lines. One EIA 232/V.24 One-Line Communication Adaptor is provided for use with the electronic customer support facility. The second communication line adaptor is optional and can be equipped with an EIA 232/V.24, X.21 or a V.35 adaptor. The Multi-Function I/O Processor supports async, bisync, SDLC, X.25 Protocols and X.21 Short Hold mode function.
LocalTalk
All of the range come with one 1.03Gb 3.5 disk unit; optionally, a 1.96Gb disk unit can be substituted. A workstation controller is included with the base system, to support a system console and additional workstations. The workstation controller supports twinaxial, ASCII or LocalTalk devices. Base twinaxial support provides attachment of up to 40 5250-type workstations (displays and printers to eight ports with a maximum of seven devices per port. Base ASCII support provides six ports. Each can support one workstation, display plus printer – or a display with a display attached auxiliary printer, for support of a maximum ity of 12 devices, or two devices per port. Base support for the Workstation Adaptor for LocalTalk provides support for up to 32 devices on a LocalTalk network, including Macintosh personal computers and printers, LocalTalk-compatible devices and the IBM Workstation Adaptor feature. All new models include a Battery Power Unit feature as standard enabling them to remain powered-up during short power outages, and to perform a main storage dump to the internal disk prior to power-down for longer outages. The internal battery test warns of low battery capacity. Concurrent repair – standard on Models 310 and 320, optional on Model 300 – makes it possible to repair disk devices on the system without down-time. The included AS/400 Wireless LAN Adaptor works at 2Mbps and supports a variety of devices for attaching personal computer and data collection systems. The File Server I/O Processor, along with supporting AS/400 software, provides a high-performance file system that provides access to client environments such as OS/2, Windows and MS-DOS attached to Token-Ring and Ethernet local networks. The file system can also be accessed by AS/400 host applications and provide local network communications to AS/400 applications using TCP/IP and APPN. All three models will be available in June, although the Wireless LAN Adaptor and File Server I/O Processor won’t be out until September. The 300 is $20,500, the 310 is $118,500, and the 320 is $273,500.
Ultimedia Business Conferencing/400 provides support for interactive communications
The new Ultimedia Business Conferencing/400 assists in interactive communications by enabling the AS/400 system to schedule conferences, notify those people that are invited or interested, start a conference session, and record minutes for the sessions. Ultimedia Business Conferencing/400 supports conferences between personal computers using a shared window space. All the participants in the conference see the same shared window. Image, video, graphics or text can be displayed in the window and high quality audio can be shared between workstations. Shared real-time video images are provided with shared hardware coder-decoders or the IBM Person-to-Person program, which is an optional feature of Ultimedia Business Conferencing/400. Ultimedia Business Conferencing/400 offers the capability of gathering conference minutes during the conference. This is done by the person who called the meeting. Minutes can include audio, video, text, graphics, images, and screen captures. When the conference ends, the minutes can then be edited and distributed. IBM has also added another new product to the Ultimedia ran
ge, Ultimedia Mail/400. This product is designed to enable AS/400 and OS/2 users to create, send and receive a variety of media types as electronic mail. These include text, image, audio, simple video clips and binary attachments. Mail/400 will be available next March.
OfficeVision/400 now offers diary-to-diary communications, more electronic mail functions
The ill-starred IBM OfficeVision/400, OV/400, workgroup offering has been enhanced with the release of Version 3 Release 1. Communication has been improved with the addition of the ability to connect local and remote diaries – IBM calls them calendars but we keep our engagements in our diaries and hang calendars on the wall – in AS/400 networks, and the expansion of OSI X.400 capabilities for OV/400 Mail users. The new version also provides additional electronic mail functions as defined by X.400 standards. The Application Integration capabilities of OV/400 have been extended with an alternative send program exit, and the integration between OV/400 and Facsimile Support/400 has been improved. Another new feature is the ability to take advantage of OS/400 enhancements to folders, directories and security, along with a simplified setup for Labels documents. Initial customer shipments will be made in August, with general availability in November.
IBM gets the message about messaging with the new MQM/400 messaging system
The MQM/400 messaging system has been designed to improve the way AS/400 business applications communicate with other applications running on AS/400 systems and other environments. Commercial messaging enables business applications to communicate by sending and receiving messages, and a message-driven processing style of programming enables for rapid design, development, and deployment of business applications, says the company. MQM/400 offers an enhanced level of the Message Queue Interface, a component of the Networking Blueprint. Version 3 adds a range of new features, including message data conversion, MQSeries Script Commands and Integrated Language Environment compiler support. The company says that it improves application efficiency by avoiding the need to wait for replies and handling priority. Several parts of a business process can be handled in parallel, improving the overall response time. The integrity of business data is maintained by assuring that the messages are delivered once and only once, and that they are not lost through system or network failure. MQM/400 will be out in November.
