The Architecture & Engineering Series Version 1 Release 1 software, developed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, is an integrated three-dimensional computer aided design, engineering, and drafting system for building design. It is available for the RS/6000, and consists of eight applications with the Graphics Application as a common platform. December 28, 1990 will see availability of the Graphics, Rendering, and Structural Appli cations. Energy, HVAC, Piping, Power, and Lighting Applications will be available from March 29, 1991. The Architecture & Engin eering Series will run on all models of the RS/6000 family and work with all graphic adaptors supported by AIXwindows. Minimum configuration is a Powerstation server with a 120Mb to 320Mb SCSI disk upgrade, a SCSI input output controller, 16Mb of memory, a mouse, keyboard, a colour graphics adaptor, and colour graphics display. IBM has said that customers who install the Architecture & Engineering Series on the RT after February 15, 1990, will receive a no-charge migration to the RS/6000 if the installation of the Series on the RS/6000 occurs within a limited period of time after availability for the product on the new machines. However, IBM has now removed the start-date requirement, and all current customers with the Architecture & Engineering Series installed on an RT System will receive a no charge migration to the Architecture & Engineering Series on an RS/6000 – if the installation occurs prior to the end of September 30, 1991. The RT Migration Assistance Program provides a trade-in credit on a one-for-one basis to customers that want to migrate from an RT System to an RS/6000. Prices start at $4,000 and rise to $9,200. Media process charges are between $105 and $468, and there is an extended enhancement subscription service with annual charges ranging between $600 and $1,385. The same costs apply to the Enhance ment Subscription Service Reinstatement.
Token-ring network forms logical ring
The Token-Ring Network Bridge Program Version 2.2 connects two local or remote Token-Ring Networks into one logical ring. The connected rings can be any combination of 4Mbps or 16Mbps Token Ring Net works. Version 2.2 offers increased frame sizes from 2,052 bytes to 4,472 bytes in the remote configuration and features dial-support. Dial-support enabless the remote Token Ring Network Bridge halves to initiate and receive calls at the command of a user workstation, and the connection between bridge halves would be made only when there was data to be transmitted. Once data transmission is complete, the connection would be dropped. Dial-support is provided through a V25 bis modem connecting the bridge to the switched teleprocessing line. Line speeds for dial-support are modem-dependent. Like Version 2.1, Version 2.2 features remote bridge communications via a leased line at speeds up to 1.344Mbps. It also supports the 7820 Integrated Services Digital Network Terminal Adaptor attachment. US availablity September 28, 1990.
Architecture & engineering series release 1 for PS/2
The Architecture & Engineering Series, available for the RS/6000 is also available on the PS/2. It consists of eight applications, and Graphics Application is a prerequisite. IBM says that the applications are being offered on PS/2 as an alternative machine to its discontinued Unix machine, the RT. They are designed for the single user, and data file formats are compatible between RT and PS/2 versions. IBM says that file management offers a straightforward approach to building design, whether by one or several architects, and cells within drawings can contain spreadsheet-like formula that enable automatic calculation and update of model geometry. An optional interfaced Ingres relational database connects graphics to text information, and the user-interface includes pop-up menus, icons, multiple windows for graphics and text data, and a command language. Similar design elements can be duplicated and modified either within the same layer or in different layers, and designs can be viewed in plan, section, elevati
on or perspective. X Window product functions are part of the Architecture & Engineering Series; pop-up windows provide multiple concurrent building views and context-sensitive help text. The Developer’s Toolkit enables a user to generate help files and integrate them into command procedures. The PS/2 must be capable of running under AIX with 8Mb of memory, 120Mb of disk space, a mouse and maths co-processor, an 8514 graphics display, and an 8514A adaptor. The adaptor supports 16 or 256 colours if the memory expansion kit of the 8514 is installed. The Graphics Application will be available in the US from July 27, and the Rendering Application from August 10, 1990.
6095 conversion with 6098 twisted pair adaptor cable
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Model 001 of the 6095 Graphics Processor can now be converted to a Model 002. The conversion consists of replacement of the 2Mb base storage in the Model 001 with the 8Mb base storage used in the Model 002, and the addition of the Shading Processor. A field in stallable model conversion for the 6095 Model 001 has been added to the Workstations and Related Input/Output Volume Procurement Amendment to Agreement for Purchase of Machines Exhibit. A Twisted Pair Adaptor Cable is being announced as a no-charge feature for the Channel Control Unit. Available July 27. SQL Master/vm automator
SQL Master/VM SQL/DS DBA Support Tools is a Program Offering that works with the SQL/DS licensed program to automate many of the manual database administrator functions required to support SQL/DS database within VM/SP or VM/XA environments. Functions may be initiated immediately by a local or remote user, or they may be scheduled for a specified date, time, or at repetitive execution intervals. SQL Master/VM Version 1 Release 1 is available in the US from June 29, 1990.
