Objects get bigger: many constraints in OS/400 are relaxed in the new OS/400 2.2

OS/400 2.2 requires minimum of 600Mb of disk storage for user data, applications, licensed programs, and licensed internal code. Enhancements include the ability to save or restore files and other objects while in use. The database has expanded space, key size and access path size for a physical file member or table, and systems management has increased network management automation capabilities with automation enablers for filtering and routing SNA alerts. Operational Assistant improvements enable the setting up of simple back-ups, report the status of the system and management of disk space. Also, the one-time charge feature number for the M6 processor group is announced for OS/400 to support the new AS/400 Model E90 at Version 2.1 Modification 1. Availability of Version 2 Release 1.1 is improved from March 27, 1992, to March 6, and 2.2 will ship December 18, 1992. The 3Gb limitation on unattended save to a save file is removed, and the amount of time to save and restore documents and folders is improved. Operational Assistant enhancements assist system administrators in setting up and scheduling simple back-ups, managing users signed on to the system and managing the system disk space. Communication configurations are said to be easier, and the Operational Assistant enhancements provide an optional set of system menus that use non-technical terminology and simplified lists of functions. Throughput of large spooled files to printers configured as Advanced Function Printing can be improved through the overlap of internal processing with the actual printing. The System Management function provides an increase in user productivity by filtering alerts into distinct categories or groups, and users can specify a list of actions to be performed when alerts belonging to the same group are processed. The creation of system-like screens is improved through use of the User Interface Manager facilities, and source statements enable programmers to describe the contents of a display screen without having to specify the details of screen locations and attributes. Enhanced Auxiliary Storage Pool support allows checksum protection to be started without saving and restoring the entire system. Also, a new set of management functions is said to provide a better way to manage storage units both for recovery and selection. Enhanced network management support consists of alert filtering, routing and automation, and implementation of the SNA/Management Services transport function. Host Office Services have improved system management by including full shadowing of the system directory, and this function simplifies the synchronisation of address book information across multiple AS/400 systems. Performance statistics are expanded to include APPC, APPN, 5250 passthrough, and data queue processing. There are new or enhanced application programming interfaces and they are said to reduce exposure of system and data integrity caused by direct access to system control blocks using unsupported interfaces. Improved database control system support includes SAA and DBCS graphic data type support, said to remove the need for shift-inshift-out codes when using double-byte data. Support for IPDS printers and 3270 personal computer emulation is available, and 3270 device emulation support includes DBCS and grid capability.

System/36 emulation, System/390 Link Enhancements

OS/400 Release 2 is claimed to provide a high degree of compatibility with the System/36. The enhancements minimise command differences between the System/36 system and the System/36 environment on the AS/400, and other enhancements include improved error4i-*messages for System/36 utilities and work with commands for the System/36 environment. Integrated Network-Routing Facility support in OS/400 enables OS/400 workstation applications to be accessed by 3270 devices attached to System/390. This support includes DBCS displays and printers. IBM Network Routing Facility Support/400 is an integrated component of

OS/400 that enables linking between AS/400 and the Network Routing Facility LPP operating on the 3745 Communications Controller. SNA Passthrough enables controllers such as PS/2, 3X74, Retail and Finance attached to an AS/400 system to access a System/390 host directly. It is not necessary to sign on to the AS/400 system first since this could be direct or through intermediate AS/400 systems. The AS/400 system now supports X25 communication over switched and permanent ISDN B-channels. This enables an AS/400 system to attach to a packet network or directly to a remote X25 Data Terminal Equipment through an ISDN B-channel. Access to X25 networks is said to enhance ability of the AS/400 ISDN feature to support the current installed System/36s.

Some size limitations on the AS/400 database objects are extended

Some size limitations of OS/400 Database objects are extended to enable growth and compatibility with other Systems Application Architecture environments. Space for a physical file member or table is increased from a maximum of 2Gb to 248Gb, although size can be restricted by the amount of fixed disk storage there is on a machine. Record or row capacity for a physical file member or table is increased from a maximum of approximately 16m to slightly fewer than 2,000m. The access path size for a physical file member or table and logical file member or index is increased from a maximum of 1Gb to 4Gb, and the key size for physical files or tables and logical files or indexes is increased from a maximum of 120 bytes up to 2,000 bytes.

640Kbps SDLC Data Line Via T1/E1/J1 Support

The D and E models of the AS400 now support up to 10 times the bandwidth on a V35 SDLC data line connected to T1, E1 or J1 data communications equipment. SDLC lines used with APPN, APPC, CPI for communications, SNADS, 3270 device emulation, image object transfer, SNA passthrough, display station passthrough, user ICF programs and other programming are supported at the higher speeds. The T1/E1/J1 data communications equipment can be part of either a T1/E1/J1 or Fractional T1 network.

OS/400 program upgrade prices within a model group will rise on September 1

For processor groups B5 to M6, basic licence charges go from $1,800 to $168,000, while distributed systems licence options are between $1,585 and $147,850. There is no charge for program upgrades within the same processor group before September 1, 1992. After that date, basic charges will range between $375 for C5 processors to $7,895 for processors K5. The OS/400 distributed systems licence options range in price from $330 to $6,950 in US.