IBM GEARBOX MODEL 800 ENHANCEMENTS IBM Announcement Letter Number 190-193 dated November 6, 1990 IBM US - Last Revised on November 6, 1990 Brief Description of Announcement, Charges, and Availability The enhancements for the GEARBOX (R) Model 800 include a larger capacity, faster disk drive, and the ability to support up to 16MB of system memory without use of a memory expansion card. The enhancements are compatible with GEARBOX Model 800 systems that are now installed. Use of the previously announced 4MB Memory Module Kit on such systems requires the installation of a no-charge RPQ. These new offerings are: o A 320MB SCSI Disk Drive feature for machine type 7568 o The use of and support for 4MB Memory Modules on all systems shipped after December 21, 1990 o A 7568 BIOS and Reference Diskette Upgrade RPQ (for systems shipped prior to December 21, 1990). These offerings are recommended when enhanced system performance or capability is needed, or when future growth is anticipated. Planned Availability Date: December 21, 1990. (R) Registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. Customer Letter Section HIGHLIGHTS o Improved system performance and increased disk drive capacity expands use of available business solution program products o Increased exploitation of the total hardware/software system elements for more effective business solutions o Growth enablement enhanced through increased system performance and disk storage capacity o Employs the advantages of the modular and flexible system design and demonstrates the system's adaptability for growth enablement o User productivity is significantly enhanced both on an individual and total enterprise basis o Investment protection is assured through compatibility of the new items with previously installed GEARBOX Model 800 systems o Supports the IBM Token-Ring Network Bridge Program Version 2.2 (refer to Product Announcement 290-303, dated June 19, 1990) DESCRIPTION BUSINESS SOLUTIONS The new feature and support items provide increased GEARBOX system function and improved price/performance. These improvements will allow the use of the unique GEARBOX capabilities in additional applications that may not have been considered in the past, due to concerns over system performance limitations or costs for the available function. The high reliability/maintainability and extended environmental attributes of the GEARBOX system and the previously announced Language Extension software products can now be used more extensively with a range of available business solution products. These include Distributed Automation Edition (TM), PlantWorks (TM), and other CIM related program products. The improved GEARBOX capabilities permit an expanded use of these program products in the demanding environments of the plant floor and other difficult physical applications. The announced items provide for fuller exploitation of the previously announced GEARBOX hardware and CIM program product capabilities. This significantly improves utilization of the overall hardware/software system elements, leading to more effective business solutions. (TM) Trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. GROWTH ENABLEMENT The availability of the new 320MB SCSI Disk Drive (#6542) and 4MB memory Single In-line Memory Module (SIMM) technology significantly enhances the GEARBOX system capability. Improved system performance and increased disk storage capacity is now available to the customer and provides the means for future operating, enabling and application software growth. The use and support of 4MB memory modules permits up to 16MB of system memory to be installed on the single processor card. An additional memory expansion adapter is no longer required to provide the full 16MB of memory that is supported on the GEARBOX Model 800. This makes another adapter position (slot) available to the customer for application growth. The GEARBOX Model 800 features a modular design, and provides for flexible enhancement and configuration. The compatibility of the 4MB Memory Module Kit (#3993) and 320MB SCSI Disk Drive (#6542) effectively demonstrates the adaptability of the original GEARBOX Model 800 system design. USER PRODUCTIVITY Improved system performance serves to increase user productivity. The faster disk drive access and the reduced processor-to-memory cycle time (with all memory on the processor card versus using a memory expansion adapter) will improve individual access to, and availability of, data. Increased system performance can now be made available in environments and applications where only the unique GEARBOX capabilities will suffice. INVESTMENT PROTECTION Essentially all of the new items are compatible with previously installed GEARBOX Model 800 systems and software. The only exception is that use of the 4MB Memory Module Kit on the processor card requires that all memory on that card be of the 4MB type. Therefore, any previously installed systems with 2MB Memory SIMMs must have the 2MB SIMMs replaced with 4MB SIMMs. With this exception, the previous customer investment in GEARBOX Model 800 hardware, software and training is fully protected. In addition, since the Model 800 system can now serve in an expanded role due to its performance enhancements, while continuing to be compatible with key Micro Channel (R) features and software, the investment of the customer in PS/2 (R) and OS/2 (R) compatible application products is also protected. Those products may be migrated to the Model 800 system for use in areas that are unsuited for the standard PS/2 product line. The Model 800 system now offers significant growth potential for expanded and new applications. Customer investment is more secure because the likelihood of having to leave the GEARBOX platform to move to a higher performance system is significantly reduced. (R) Registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. PUBLICATIONS Installation instructions will be shipped with each feature or RPQ. This instruction information is intended to be put into the same binder with the Installation and Operation Guide that is included in the Ship Group with each GEARBOX Model 800 system. For customers that have previously ordered the Maintenance Information publication, supplemental maintenance information for the new items is available in a Maintenance Information Technical Newsletter (SN28-9520-00) which may be ordered separately. This technical newsletter will also be included with the new feature and RPQ. EDUCATION SUPPORT Education is planned for this product. Course and schedule information is available from the CIM National Support Center and the MSP Support Center, Boca Raton, FL. Contact your IBM representative. SCHEDULE The planned availability date is December 21, 1990. TECHNICAL INFORMATION SPECIFIED OPERATING ENVIRONMENT PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS: The physical specifications for GEARBOX Model 800 (Machine Type 7568) Industrial Computer are not affected by these items. Base system width, depth, height, and weight are unchanged. Refer to Product Announcement 189-155, dated October 24, 1989, or the Sales Manual for additional information. OPERATING ENVIRONMENT: The operating environments for the GEARBOX Model 800 system are not affected by these items, except for the new 320MB SCSI Disk Drive (#6542). Installation of one or more of the new disk drives limits the operating environment air temperature as follows: o Without filter option installed -- 0 (degs) to 50 (degs)C (32 (degs) to 122 (degs)F) o With filter option installed -- 0 (degs) to 46.1 (degs)C (32 (degs) to 115 (degs)F) NOTE: When the filter option (#6096) is installed, the power supply fans must also be reversed. PLANNING INFORMATION CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES: These new features and RPQ for the GEARBOX Model 800 are designated as customer setup. Customer setup information is provided with each item. Operation and service publications for the GEARBOX Model 800 are available. The 7568 BIOS and Reference Diskette Upgrade RPQ (PF1193), which is required if 4MB memory modules are to be installed on the processor card of a system shipped prior to December 21, 1990, has a number of prerequisites and limitations: o Available only to customers that have received a GEARBOX Model 800 system with 2MB memory SIMMs on the processor card o Requires that the BIOS module that is removed from the installed processor card be returned to IBM in an enclosed pre-addressed mailer o Available for a limited time only, to be withdrawn after June 1991. CABLE ORDERS: All necessary cabling is included with the new features and RPQs. No separate cables are required. PROBLEM DETERMINATION: Following installation, the customer should run the system-level setup and diagnostic routines as described and provided in the Installation and Operation Guide for the GEARBOX Model 800 system, and with the applicable feature or RPQ. Additional diagnostic and defective part isolation assistance is available in the Maintenance Information (SC15F-8611) publication. If this publication has been previously ordered, supplemental maintenance information for the new features and RPQ is available in the Maintenance Information Technical Newsletter (SN28-9520-00). A Maintenance Information Technical Newsletter is also included with each new feature and RPQ. PACKAGING: Each feature or RPQ will be shipped in a separate package, which will include installation, setup and diagnostic information. SECURITY, AUDITABILITY AND CONTROL These features and RPQs use the security and auditability features of the GEARBOX Model 800 and the selected operating system and application software. If additional physical security is required for the system, it must be customer supplied (for example, a lockable NEMA enclosure). User management is responsible for evaluation, selection and implementation of security features, administrative procedures and appropriate controls in application systems and communications facilities. TERMS AND CONDITIONS FEATURE SECTION WARRANTY PERIOD: The hardware content of the new features and RPQ is warranted for one year after the date of installation. Refer to the applicable Statement of Limited Warranty and Warranty Exhibit for the GEARBOX Model 800 system unit. Installation of the 7568 BIOS and Reference Diskette Upgrade RPQ (PF1193) will extend the warranty period on the system processor card to one year after the date of installation of the replacement BIOS module. To determine the date of installation, refer to the applicable Statement of Limited Warranty and Warranty Exhibit for the GEARBOX Model 800 system unit. MES DISCOUNT APPLICABLE: The feature discount will be equal to the discount percent associated with the current volume commitment of the category of the machine type on which it is installed. FIELD INSTALLABLE FEATURE: Yes. CUSTOMER SETUP: Yes. All other terms and conditions are the same as those applicable to the GEARBOX Model 800 in which the feature or RPQ is installed. CHARGES FEATURES FEATURE ANNUAL MINIMUM OR RPQ PURCHASE MAINTENANCE CHARGE DESCRIPTION NUMBER PRICE (IBM ON-SITE REPAIR) 320MB SCSI Disk Drive for 7568 6542 $ 5,500 $ 384 7568 BIOS and Reference Diskette Upgrade PF1193 NC NA PUBLICATIONS FORM PURCHASE DESCRIPTION NUMBER PRICE Maintenance Information Technical Newsletter SN28-9520 $ 11.52