Memorex Telex UK Ltd’s three new 9000 series fibre optic IBM channel extension systems (CI No 961) are being made available immediately. The 9035 group extends channel distance up to three miles and supports data transfer rates up to 1Mbyte-per-second. The 9045 extends the channel for the same distance and supports data transfer rates of up to 3Mbytes-per-second on data streaming channels. A single mode feature is also available which can extend the channel distance up to six miles. The 9075 system operates via C3 circuits and supports serial data rates of up to 45Kbps, while attached control units can operate at speeds of up to 3Mbytes-per-second and distances of up to 25 miles from the CPU. Memorex claims that all systems are transparent to the IBM channel and operating system and that there is no throughput degradation over fibre optic links. The systems consist of two small units at either end of the transmission link and provide error recognition and recovery as well as self-diagnostics. Memorex Telex UK has also come out with the Fujitsu 5400 Automatic Tape Library for users of 3480-type tape cartridges on 370-type mainframes. The entry level price is UKP200,000, rising to UKP500,000, and shipments are due before the end of the year. The system provides access to data stored in users’ cartridge libraries, both small and large. Memorex says the 5400 ATL offers high availability through the use of dual robot control for cartridge loading and access, and compatibility through the use of IBM 3480 tape cartridge format. There is also a range of supporting software which runs under MVS/Sp and MVS/XA allowing users determine the size of library they need. The system has an entry level capacity of 658 cartridges and can be field upgraded to take 5,152 cartridges. There are four controllers per libr ary system, each of which can be linked to one or more CPUs through a maximum of six channels. Data rate can be set at either 3Mbytes- or 4.5Mbytes-per-second, and when using the higher rate, an aggregate 18Mbytes-per-second is possible via multiple channel access.
