IBM Advanced/36

The Advanced/36 was an IBM midrange computer based on an adapted IBM AS/400 hardware and System/36 software. It was marketed from October 1994[1] to 2000.

IBM Advanced/36
AS/400 9402-400 model with expansion module and terminal; 9402-436 were based on a 9402-400.
ManufacturerIBM
IntroducedOctober 4, 1994 (October 4, 1994)
Discontinued2000
CostUS$12,000 (Entry)
Processor64-bit PowerPC AS
Memory32 Mb (Entry)
64 Mb (Large)
LanguageRPG II
COBOL/400
FORTRAN
System/36 BASIC
Assembler
Query/36

Overview

The Advanced/36 is physically smaller than other S/36 offerings due to the use of more advanced hardware. It was cheaper, with prices beginning at US$12,000.[2] The smallest 5362 sold for about US$20,000, and a maxed-out 5360 sold for upwards of US$200,000.

By 2000, the A/36 was no longer being marketed. The Advanced/36 Machine support in OS/400 was removed in V4R5.

Configurations

The maximum configuration of an Advanced/36 is 4.19 Gb of disk storage, 256 Mb of memory, one tape drive, and one single 8" (or 5.25") diskette drive along with a communication adapter for modems (like BSCA/SLDC) and the twinax. brick(s) and a card for installing 9-track tape drive (9438-12).

The A/36 was marketed in three packages: the Small package, the Growth package, and the Large package. Machines sold in 1994 contained a version of the System Support Program (SSP) operating system designated "7.1", this was the 9402-236. In 1995, an upgraded A/36 was offered with a version of SSP designated "7.5", these were the 9402-436 model.[3] A 236 could be upgraded to a 436. The 436 model could also run OS/400.

There were three CPU options, differing by performance. The base was known as #2102, and the next level up was #2104, which was 1.3 times faster. The final option, #2106, was advertised as 2.4 times faster than the base model.

Software

SSP for the Advanced/36 supported the same programming languages as the standard S/36 systems, namely RPG II, COBOL, FORTRAN, System/36 BASIC, and Assembler. The Advanced/36 also included the Programmer and Operator Productivity Aid utility as standard.

Backup and storage

One difference between the A/36 and earlier S/36s is the 9402 Tape Drive. The 9402 uses Quarter-inch cartridges which can store up to 2.5 Gb of data. The 9402 is able to read the 60MB tapes from the older S/36 6157 tape drive, but cannot write to them.

The A/36 CD-ROM drive is provided for PTF installation only. PTF CDs can only be applied if the operator follows a bypass procedure to switch device codes with the tape unit. The CD unit becomes TC. The CD unit was only on the 436 model, not the 236.

The A/36 8" diskette drive is optional and was marketed for approximately US$1,000. A 5.25" diskette drive option was also available. These were intended to allow migration of data from older S/36 hardware.

References
  1. Cooper, James; Stern, Nancy B.; Stern, Robert A. (1997). Programming in COBOL/400. Wiley. p. 2. ISBN 978-0471127222.
  2. Stedman, Craig (October 31, 1994). "IBM calls on System/36 to pave way for AS/400". Computerworld. 28 (44): 65, 69 – via Google Books.
  3. Hoskins, Jim (2000). Exploring IBM Technology, Products, and Services. Maximum. p. 134. ISBN 978-1885068446.
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