Comparex Informationssysteme GmbH has eight new models in the IBM-compatible mainframe line it buys OEM from Hitachi Ltd, including three top-end additions to its 9/9XX family. The 9/910, 9/922 and 9/932 are a uniprocessor, a one-plus-one multiprocessor and a two-plus-one multiprocessor respectively, shipping next quarter. The 9/922 multiprocessor is said to offer 1.1 times the performance of the 8/98 base. The new systems look to MVS like 3090 machines, but the 3090 input-output configuration program limits channel support to 64 per side, rather than 128, but users can get 128 by going to two-plus-one 9/932 – a four-way with one engine missing. ESA/390 support and CPU identification are under test and likely to ship next quarter, as will Escon support when Comparex hopes to have new function support for CICS users and enhanced MLPF partitioning. The new mid-range systems are the 9/815 uniprocessor, rated at 1.6 times an 8/850; the 9/820 and 9/825 dyadics; the three-way 9/830; and the four-way 9/840.
