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

6947ch02.fm

1000BASE-T Ethernet

High Speed Token Ring

￿PCI Cryptographic Accelerator (PCICA, 2 processors per feature).

￿PCIX Cryptographic Coprocessor (PCIXCC, 1 processor per feature).

￿The STI-2 card provides two output ports to support the ICB-2 links. The STI-3 card converts the output into two 333 MB/sec links

￿The STI-3 card provides two output ports to support the ICB-3 links. The STI-3 card converts the output into two 1GB/sec links.

The ICB-4 channels are unique to the z990. They do not require a slot in the I/O cage and attach directly to the STI of the communicating CPC with a bandwidth of 2.0 GB/sec.

2.1.7 The MCM

The z990 MultiChip Module (MCM) contains 16 chips: eight are processor chips (12 PUs); four are System Data cache (SD) chips; one is the Storage Control (SC) chip; two chips carry the Memory Subsystem Control function (MSC); and there is one chip for the clock (CLK-ETR) function.

The 93 x 93 mm glass ceramic substrate on which these 16 chips are mounted has 101 layers of glass ceramic with 400 meters of internal wiring. The total number of transistors on all chips amounts to more than 3.2 billion.

capacitors

power

 

 

 

 

ring / cntl

MC1

PU2

PU1

CLK

cache

PU3

SD1

SD0

PU0

connector:

PU4

SD2

SC0

SD3

MC0

PU5

PU6

PU7

 

 

 

capacitors

power

 

 

 

 

Figure 2-10 MCM card

The MCM plugs into a card that is part of the book packaging, as shown in Figure 2-10.The book itself is plugged into the CEC board to provide interconnectivity between the books, so that a multibook system appears as a Symmetric Multi Processor (SMP). The MCM is connected to its environment by 5184 LAN Grid Arrays (LGA) connectors. Figure 2-11shows the chip locations.

Chapter 2. System structure and design 35

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Image 49
IBM 990 manual Mcm, Capacitors

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.