Draft Document for Review April 7, 2004 6:15 pm

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Appendix B. Fiber optic cabling services

In order to address the complexities and changes over time to different type of cables/connectors and Standards, IBM Networking Services provides a comprehensive set of services for your products and enterprises. This service helps you gain an Information Technology (IT) advantage by providing you with the tools you need to gain market share in this fast-paced e-business economy. It relieves you of the stress and complexity of selecting the appropriate connectors and cables to support your servers, devices, LANs, and Storage Area Networks.

When integrating a zSeries server into a data center, an IBM Installation Planning Representative (IPR) provides planning assistance to customers for equipment power, cooling, and the physical placement of the zSeries server.

However, fiber-optic cable planning and connection of zSeries server channels to I/O equipment, Coupling Facilities, networks, and other servers is the responsibility of the customer.

Customers with the resources and personnel to plan and implement their own connectivity, or those with less complex system configurations, can consult the following manuals to help them determine and order the required fiber optic cabling:

￿IBM zSeries 990 Installation Manual for Physical Planning, GC28-6824

￿IBM zSeries 900 Installation Manual for Physical Planning, 2064-IMPP

￿IBM zSeries 800 Installation Manual for Physical Planning, 2066-IMPP

￿IBM zSeries G5/G6 Installation Manual for Physical Planning, GC22-7106

￿Planning for Fiber Optic Links, GA23-0367

These manuals are available on the IBM Resource Link Web site:

http://www.ibm.com/servers/resourcelink

Customers, especially those with complex system integration requirements, may request connectivity assistance from IBM Global Services.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2004. All rights reserved.

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990 specifications

The IBM 990 series, often referred to in the context of IBM's pioneering efforts in the realm of mainframe computing, represents a unique chapter in the history of information technology. Introduced in the late 1960s, the IBM 990 series was designed as a powerful tool for enterprise-level data processing and scientific calculations, showcasing the company's commitment to advancing computing capabilities.

One of the main features of the IBM 990 was its architecture, which was built to support a wide range of applications, from business processing to complex scientific computations. The system employed a 32-bit word length, which was advanced for its time, allowing for more flexible and efficient data handling. CPUs in the IBM 990 series supported multiple instructions per cycle, which contributed significantly to the overall efficiency and processing power of the machines.

The technology behind the IBM 990 was also notable for its use of solid-state technology. This provided a shift away from vacuum tube systems that were prevalent in earlier computing systems, enhancing the reliability and longevity of the hardware. The IBM 990 series utilized core memory, which was faster and more reliable than the magnetic drum memory systems that had been standard up to that point.

Another defining characteristic of the IBM 990 was its extensibility. Organizations could configure the machine to suit their specific needs by adding memory, storage, and peripheral devices as required. This modular approach facilitated the growth of systems alongside the technological and operational demands of the business environments they served.

In terms of software, the IBM 990 series was compatible with a variety of operating systems and programming environments, including FORTRAN and COBOL, enabling users to access a broader array of applications. This versatility was a significant advantage, making the IBM 990 an appealing choice for educational institutions, research facilities, and enterprises alike.

Moreover, the IBM 990 was engineered to support multiprocessing, which allowed multiple processes to run simultaneously, further increasing its effectiveness in tackling complex computing tasks.

In summary, the IBM 990 series represents a significant advancement in computing technology during the late 20th century. With a robust architecture, versatile configuration options, and a focus on solid-state technology, the IBM 990 facilitated substantial improvements in data processing capabilities, making it a cornerstone for many businesses and academic institutions of its time. Its impact can still be seen today in the continued evolution of mainframe computing.