ICL Ltd yesterday fleshed out the mid-range of its Series 39 mainframe family with two new models derived from the top-end ECL processor used in the Model 80, and pitched them at the IBM 4381. The company also introduced the SV221 release of the VME operating sys-tem for November delivery: it runs Unix System V.2 as a guest called VME Unix System, supports single and multi-node working, and offers a High Security Option. The new Level 40 processor is designed as an upgrade machine for users of the 2953, 2957 and 2958, and comes with up to 16Mb main memory. It costs UKP300,000 with 8Mb, 1.2Gb disk, tape and printer, or UKP18,000 a quarter under ICL’s Exchange Hire contract. The company has also enhanced performance of the Level 50 by 40% and renamed it the 50XP; the additional power is available as a field upgrade for users of the discontinued Level 50. With 16Mb, 3.2Gb disk, printer and tape it is UKP550,000 or UKP34,000 a quarter. The company also told users in York yesterday that two node working on Level 60s and 80s was running at 20 sites, and that field trials of a three-node 80 would start next month, with release set for spring; a four-node – four processor – version is set for fourth quarter 1988.
