IBM RS/6000 explained

IBM RISC System/6000
Aka:IBM RS/6000
Developer:IBM
Successor:eServer pSeriesIntelliStation POWERIBM ThinkPad Power Series
Related:IBM PC Power Series
Processor:IBM POWER or PowerPC

The RISC System/6000 (RS/6000) is a family of RISC-based Unix servers, workstations and supercomputers made by IBM in the 1990s. The RS/6000 family replaced the IBM RT PC computer platform in February 1990 and is the first computer line to see the use of IBM's POWER and PowerPC based microprocessors. In October 2000, the RS/6000 brand was retired for POWER-based servers and replaced by the eServer pSeries. Workstations continued under the RS/6000 brand until 2002, when new POWER-based workstations were released under the IntelliStation POWER brand.

History

The first RS/6000 models used the Micro Channel bus, later models used PCI. Some later models conformed to the PReP and CHRP standard platforms, which were co-developed with Apple and Motorola, with Open Firmware. The plan was to enable the RS/6000 to run multiple operating systems such as Windows NT, NetWare, OS/2, Solaris, Taligent, AIX and Mac OS but in the end only IBM's Unix variant AIX was used and supported on RS/6000. Linux is widely used on CHRP based RS/6000s, but support was added after the RS/6000 name was changed to eServer pSeries in 2000.

The RS/6000 family also included the POWERserver servers, POWERstation workstations and Scalable POWERparallel supercomputer platform. While most machines were desktops, desksides, or rack-mounted, there were laptop models too. Famous RS/6000s include the PowerPC 604e-based Deep Blue supercomputer that beat world champion Garry Kasparov at chess in 1997, and the POWER3-based ASCI White which was the fastest supercomputer in the world during 20002002.

Architecture

Hardware

Service processor

Many RS/6000 and subsequent pSeries machines came with a service processor, which booted itself when power was applied and continuously ran its own firmware, independent of the operating system. The service processor could call a phone number (via a modem) in case of serious failure with the machine.[1] Early advertisements and documentation called the service processor "System Guard",[2] (or SystemGuard[3]) although this name was apparently dropped later on, roughly around the same time that the simplified RS/6000 name was adopted for the computer line itself.

Late in the RS/6000 cycle, the service processor was "converged" with the one used on the AS/400 machines.[4]

Software

POWER machines typically ran AIX. Solaris, OS/2 and Windows NT were also ported to PowerPC. Later Linux was also used.

Some AIX systems support IBM Web-based System Manager.

Models

Some models were marketed under the RS/6000 POWERstation and POWERserver names.

Micro Channel-based lines

The early lines were based on an IBM proprietary Micro Channel architecture; the same architecture that was used in the high end PS/2 x86 desktop line. MCA-based lines were produced until 1999.

Type 7006

ModelCPUMHzL2/L3 CacheMemoryEnclosureIntroduced[5] Discontinued
41TPowerPC 601800 or 512 KB16 to 256 MBDesktop1994-06-03[6] 1997-01-10
41W1997-07-18[7]
42TPowerPC 6041200 or 512 KBUp to 256 MBDesktop1995-06-19[8] [9] 1997-09-24
42W

Type 7008

ModelCPUMHzL2/L3 CacheMemoryEnclosureIntroducedDiscontinued
M20POWER13316 to 64 MBAll-in-one1993-02-021995-01-06
M2A[10] POWER13316 to 64 MBAll-in-one1993-02-021994-10-26

These workstations were marketed under the PowerStation name.

Type 7009

ModelCPUMHzL2/L3 CacheMemoryEnclosureIntroducedDiscontinued
C10PowerPC 601800 or 1 MB16 to 256 MBDesktop1994-05-241997-07-18
C1L???????
C20PowerPC 6041201 MB16 to 256 MBDesktop1995-06-191998-01-30

Type 7010

ModelCPUMHzL2/L3 CacheMemoryEnclosureIntroducedDiscontinued
150???????
160PowerPC 60366?8 MBXstation??
220PowerPC 604120?32 MB???

This type was for Xstations, IBM's line of X terminal.

Type 7011

ModelCPUMHzL2/L3 CacheMemoryEnclosureIntroducedDiscontinued
220RSC33?Slimline Desktop1992-01-211995-01-06
22G???????
22WPOWER133Up to 64 MB?1993-09-211996-10-25
223???Up to 64 MB???
230RSC45128 KB?Slimline Desktop1993-05-181995-01-06
23E???????
23SPOWER145??1993-05-181994-10-26
23TPOWER145Up to 64 MB?1993-05-181994-10-26
23WPOWER145Up to 64 MB?1993-05-181994-10-26
250PowerPC 60166/80 [11] 16 to 256 MBSlimline Desktop1993-09-211997-07-18
25EPowerPC 60166?16 to 256 MBPlanar upgrade (for 220 and 230 families)??
25FPowerPC 60180[12] ?16 to 256 MBPlanar upgrade (for 220, 230, and 66 MHz 250 families)??
25SPowerPC 60166/80?Up to 256 MB?1993-09-211996-10-25
25TPowerPC 60166/80?Up to 256 MB?1993-09-211997-07-18
25WPowerPC 60166/80?Up to 256 MB?1993-09-211996-10-25

Type 7012 and 7030

ModelCPUMHzL2/L3 CacheMemoryEnclosureIntroducedDiscontinued
Type 7012
320POWER1208 to 32 MBDesktop1990-02-151992-10-28
32E???????
32TPOWER1208 to 64 MBTower?1992-10-28
32HPOWER125Up to 128 MBDesktop1991-03-121994-10-26
340POWER133Up to 256 MBDesktop1992-01-211994-11-04
34HPOWER141.6Up to 256 MBDesktop1993-07-131994-10-26
34L???????
34R???????
350POWER141Up to 128 MBDesktop1992-01-211993-08-18
355POWER141??1993-02-021994-10-26
35R???????
360POWER1+50Up to 256 MBDesktop1993-02-021994-11-04
365POWER1+50Up to 128 MBDesktop1993-02-021994-10-26
36TPOWER1+50Up to 256 MB?1993-05-181994-10-26
370POWER1++62.5Up to 256 MB?1993-02-021996-05-20
375POWER1++62.5Up to 128 MB?1993-02-021994-10-26
37TPOWER1++62.5Up to 256 MB?1993-05-181996-05-20
380POWER2+59none/0.5/1 MB32 to 512 MBDesktop1994-05-241996-05-20
390POWER2+671 MB32 to 512 MBDesktop1994-05-241997-07-18
397P2SC160?128 to 1024 MBDesktop1997-10-061999-03-19
39HPOWER267none/1/2 MB[13] 64 to 512 MBDesktop1995-02-071998-01-30
39T???????
G02????Tower??
G30PowerPC 601 (2 or 4)75?32 to 512 MBTower1994-10-041996-10-23
G40PowerPC 604 (2 or 4)1120.5 MB per CPU[14] 64 MB to 1 GBTower1996-07-231998-01-08
type 7030
355POWER141?????
375POWER1++62.5?????
37T???????
397P2SC160??Desktop1997-10-061999-01-19
3ATPOWER2+5932 to 512 MBDesktop1994-05-241997-01-10
3BTPOWER2+670.5 or 1 MB32 to 512 MBDesktop1994-05-241998-01-08
3CTPOWER267none/1/2 MB[15] 64 to 512 MBDesktop1995-02-071998-01-08
The 380, 390, and 39H servers correspond to the 3AT, 3BT, and 3CT workstations.

Type 7013 and 7016

The 7016-730 model was a version of 7013-530 model, but with licensed by Silicon Graphics graphics card.[16]

ModelCPUMHzL2/L3 CacheMemoryEnclosureIntroducedDiscontinued
Type 7013
520POWER1208 to 128 MBDeskside1990-02-151992-04-21
52E???????
52HPOWER125Up to 512 MBDeskside1992-01-211995-01-06
530POWER12516 to 128 MBDeskside1990-02-151992-01-02
53HPOWER13332 to 512 MB HD3 (33 MHz)Deskside1991-10-021993-08-18
53EPOWER1 [17] 3332 to 512 MB HD3 (33 MHz)Deskside1992-01-21?
540POWER13064 to 256 MBDeskside1990-02-151992-01-02
550POWER141.664 MB to 1 GBDeskside1990-10-301993-08-18
55E???????
55LPOWER141.6Up to 256 MBDeskside1993-05-181994-10-26
55S???????
560POWER1+50Up to 1 GBDeskside1992-01-211993-12-21
56F???????
570POWER1+50Up to 1 GBDeskside1993-02-021996-05-20
571???????
57F???????
57L???????
580POWER1++62.564 MB to 1 GBDeskside1992-09-221996-05-20
58FPOWER1++ [18] 62.564 MB to 1 GBDeskside1992-11-27?
58HPOWER255.664 MB to 2 GBDeskside1993-09-211996-10-25
590POWER266.764 MB to 2 GBDeskside1993-09-211997-09-24
591POWER27764 MB to 2 GBDeskside1995-07-251997-07-18
595P2SC13564 MB to 2 GBDeskside1996-10-081999-01-08
59HPOWER2+66.71 MB64 MB to 2 GBDeskside1994-05-241997-01-10
J01???????
J30PowerPC 601 (2 or 4)75?128 MB to 2 GBDeskside1994-10-041996-10-23
J40PowerPC 604 (2 to 8)1121 MB128 MB to 2 GBDeskside1996-08-301998-01-08
J50PowerPC 604e (2 to 8)200??Deskside1997-04-301999-01-08
Type 7016
730POWER12516 to 128 MBDeskside1990?
731???????

Type 7015

Uses a IBM 9309 Rack Enclosure; this a first generation RS/6000 server running AIX. These units were configured by IBM as experimental "NSS" ("Network Switching Subsystem") routers, and used on the NSFnet T3 backbone in the early/mid-90s.

ModelCPUMHzL2/L3 CacheMemoryEnclosureIntroducedDiscontinued
920???????
930POWER12516 to 128 MBRack tower1990-02-151992-07-15
950POWER141?Up to 512 MBRack tower1991-05-071993-12-21
95E???????
960???????
970POWER1+50?Up to 1 GBRack tower1992-04-211993-08-18
97BPOWER1+50??Rack tower1993-02-021995-01-06
97E???????
97F???????
980POWER1++62.5Up to 1 GBRack tower1992-09-221993-08-18
98BPOWER1++62.5??Rack tower1993-02-021996-05-20
98E???????
98F???????
990POWER271.5128 MB to 2 GBRack tower1993-09-211996-05-20
99E???????
99F???????
99J???????
99K???????
R10POWER1+50128 MB to 1 GB6U racks1994-05-241996-05-20
R20POWER2+661 MB128 MB to 2 GB6U racks1994-05-241998-01-30
R21POWER277??6U racks1995-07-251996-10-25
R24POWER2+71.52 MB128 MB to 2 GB10U racks1994-05-241998-01-30
R30PowerPC 601 (2 or 4)75?128 MB to 2 GB6U racks1994-10-041996-10-23
R40PowerPC 604 (2 to 8)112?128 MB to 2 GB6U racks1996-07-231998-01-08
R4U???????
R50PowerPC 604e (2 to 8)200?Up to 4 GB6U racks1997-04-152000-08-15
R5U???????

PCI-based lines

Produced since 1994 until the time were the RS/6000 line was rebranded to System P.

Type 7017

ModelCPU
  1. of CPUs
MHzL2/L3 CacheMemoryEnclosureIntroducedDiscontinued
S70RS644, 8 or 12125??2+ racks1997-10-311999-12-13
RS64-II262??1998-10-05
S7ARS64-II4 to 122628 MB1 to 32 GB2+ racks1998-10-232000-12-01
S80RS64-III[19] 6 to 244508 MB2 to 64 GB2+ racks1999-09-242001-08-31
S85RS64-III / IV4 to 24450/6008/16 MB2 to 96 GBRacks2000-11-17?

Type 7020

ModelCPUMHzL2/L3 CacheMemoryEnclosureIntroducedDiscontinued
0U0PowerPC 60166??Desktop1994-10-041996-01-19
40P[20] PowerPC 60166?16 to 192 MBDesktop??
B1BPowerPC 60166??Desktop1994-10-041996-01-19
B1CPowerPC 60166??Desktop1994-10-041996-01-19
D1DPowerPC 60166??Desktop1994-10-041996-01-19
D2DPowerPC 60166??Desktop1994-10-041996-01-19
D4E????Desktop1995-02-071996-01-19
SPEPowerPC 60166??Desktop1994-10-041996-01-19

Type 7024

ModelCPUMHzL2/L3 CacheMemoryEnclosureIntroducedDiscontinued
E20PowerPC 604100/133512 KB16 to 512 MBTower1995-10-101997-07-18
PowerPC 604e2331997-04-???
E30PowerPC 604133/166?64 to 1024 MBTower1996-04-231999-03-19
PowerPC 604e2331997-04-??1999-03-19

Type 7025

ModelCPUMHzL2/L3 CacheMemoryEnclosureIntroducedDiscontinued
F30PowerPC 604133/166?Up to 1 GBTower1996-02-201998-01-08
F40PowerPC 604e (1 or 2)166/233?Up to 1 GBTower1996-10-082000-05-08
F50PowerPC 604e (1 to 4)166/332256 KB128 MB to 3 GBTower1997-04-25[21] 2001-07-17
F80[22] RS64-III (1 to 6)450/5002/4 MB (SMP)8/16 GB (SMP)Deskside2000-05-092001-07-13
F85???????

Type 7026

ModelCPUMHzL2/L3 CacheMemoryEnclosureIntroducedDiscontinued
H10PowerPC 604e (1 or 2)166/233?Up to 1 GB7U racks1997-02-141998-02-27
H50PowerPC 604e (1 to 4)332?Up to 3 GB8U racks1998-02-202000-12-01
H70RS64-II (1 to 4)340?Up to 8 GB8U racks1999-04-232001-07-17
H80RS64-III/IV (1 to 6)450/500?Up to 16 GB5U racks2000-06-092001-07-13
M80RS64-III/IV (2 to 8)500/750??8U racks2000-06-092002-01-31
B80????5U racks??

Type 7043 and 7248

ModelCPUMHzL2/L3 CacheMemoryEnclosureIntroducedDiscontinued
Type 7248
43PPowerPC 604100/120/132/166[23] 256/512 KB16 to 192 MBDesktop1995-06-191997-07-18
Type 7043
43P-140PowerPC 604e166/200/233/3321 MB32 to 768 MBDesktop1996-10-082000-12-01
43P-150PowerPC 604e250/3751 MB64 MB to 1 GBDesktop1998-10-052003-12-12
43P-240PowerPC 604e (1 or 2)166/233512 KB/1 MB per CPU[24] 64 MB to 1 GBDesktop1996-10-081999-03-19
43P-260POWER3 (1 or 2)2004 MB per CPU128 MB to 4 GBTower1998-10-052000-12-01
43P-270[25] [26] POWER3-II (up to 4)200/375/4504/8 MB per CPUup to 8 GBTower2000-02-252003-09-12

Type 7044 (44P)

ModelCPUMHzL2/L3 CacheMemoryEnclosureIntroducedDiscontinued
44P-170POWER3-II333/400/4501/4/8 MB256 MB to 2 GBTower2000-02-072003-12-12
44P-270[27] POWER3-II (Up to 4)375/4504/8 MB256 MB to 16 GBTower2000-02-072003-09-12

Type 7317

ModelCPUMHzL2/L3 CacheMemoryEnclosureIntroducedDiscontinued
F3L[28] PowerPC 604133512 KB32 to 960 MB17U racks1996-10-081999-12-13
PowerPC 604e1661 MB32 MB to 1 GB
233512 KB

Laptops

See main article: IBM ThinkPad Power Series.

Type 7007

The Model N40 was a PowerPC-based laptop developed and manufactured by Tadpole Technology in conjunction with IBM.[30] It was released on 25 March 1994, priced at US$12,000. The internal batteries could power the system for 45 minutes only and an external battery pack that lasted for 4 hours was available for this reason.[31]

Type 7249

ModelCPUMHzL2/L3 CacheMemoryEnclosureIntroducedDiscontinued
851PowerPC 603e100256 KB32 to 96 MBLaptop1996-02-201996-11-08
860[32] PowerPC 603e166256 KB32 to 96 MBLaptop1996-10-081998-01-30

References

General

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://web.archive.org/web/20140303025726/http://reg094.cct.lsu.edu/pdf//index.php?pdf=%2Fhardware%2Fp4_660%2F380571.pdf RS/6000 Enterprise Server Model M80, Eserver pSeries 660 Model 6M1. Service Guide
  2. Book: IDG Enterprise. Computerworld. 3 April 1995. IDG Enterprise. 61. 0010-4841.
  3. IBM RISC System/6000 SMP Servers Architecture and Implementation. November 1995. IBM. SG24-2583-00. https://web.archive.org/web/20150202221736/http://www.informatica.co.cr/unix/research/acrobat/9511.pdf. 2 February 2015.
  4. Web site: REDP0195.book. 2016-09-10. Csee.umbc.edu.
  5. Web site: RS/6000 Machine Type Models. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131011082506/http://archive.rootvg.net/RSmodels.htm. 11 October 2013. 2016-09-10. Archive.rootvg.net. dmy.
  6. Web site: 2010-09-14. 7006-41T IBM RS/6000 Model 41T. 2020-12-13. www-01.ibm.com. en-US.
  7. Web site: 2010-09-14. 7006-41W IBM RS/6000 Model 41W. 2020-12-13. www-01.ibm.com. en-US.
  8. Web site: 2010-09-14. 7006-42T IBM RS/6000 Workstation Model 42T. 2020-12-13. www-01.ibm.com. en-US.
  9. Web site: 2020-12-08. 7006-42W IBM RS/6000 Workstation Model 42W. 2020-12-13. www-01.ibm.com. en-US.
  10. Web site: Powerstation * 16MB, Graphics, 33MHz, desktop, S.Hem. 2016-09-10. 01.ibm.com.
  11. Web site: 7011-250 IBM RS/6000 Model 250. 2016-09-10. 01.ibm.com.
  12. Web site: How can I get the clock speed of an AIX machine? (Text of DW7410). dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130521085211/http://www.sdsc.edu/~sherwint/AIXWeb/AIX/Clock_speeds.html. 21 May 2013. 2016-09-10. Sdsc.edu. dmy.
  13. Web site: 7012-39H IBM RS/6000 Model 39H. 2016-09-10. 01.ibm.com.
  14. Web site: 2015-02-11. 7012-G40 IBM RS/6000 Enterprise Server Model G40. 2021-01-04. www-01.ibm.com. en-US.
  15. Web site: 7030-3CT IBM RS/6000 Model 3CT. 2016-09-10. 01.ibm.com.
  16. Web site: Name. 1990-02-15. IBM'S RS/6000 ANNOUNCEMENTS. 2021-10-17. Tech Monitor. en-US.
  17. Model 53E is a special designation for Models 520 and 52H converted to 53H functionality (33 MHz Processor and 33 MHz memory) as on-site upgrade. See US Announcement Letter 192-005
  18. Model 58F is a special designation for Models 530H, 550 and 560 converted to Model 580 functionality (62.5 MHz Processor) as on-site upgrade. See US Announcement Letter C92-016
  19. The RS/6000 Enterprise Server Model S80 Technology and Architecture. IBM.
  20. Web site: 1994-10-04. IBM RISC SYSTEM/6000 MODEL 40P ENTRY WORKSTATION. 2021-10-17. www.ibm.com. en-US.
  21. Web site: 7025-F50 IBM RS/6000 Server Model F50. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121007015656/http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?infotype=dd&subtype=sm&appname=pseries&htmlfid=897%2FENUS7025-F50. 7 October 2012. 2016-09-10. 01.ibm.com. dmy.
  22. Web site: Stephen Lutz. Shyam Manohar. Scott Vetter. May 9, 2000. RS/6000 7025 Model F80 Technical Overview and Introduction. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110617120122/http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redpapers/pdfs/redp0033.pdf. 17 June 2011. IBM. dmy-all.
  23. Web site: EMEA - IBM RS/6000 43P Series Model 132. 2016-09-10. 01.ibm.com. 5 October 2004 .
  24. Web site: 7043-240 IBM RS/6000 43P Model 240. 2016-09-10. 01.ibm.com.
  25. Web site: 7043-270 IBM RS/6000 7043 Model 270. 2016-09-10. 01.ibm.com.
  26. Web site: Workstation/Entry Server * Power3 II 375MHz, 1-4way SMP, 256MB. 2016-09-10. 01.ibm.com.
  27. Web site: 7044-270 IBM RS/6000 Model 270. 2016-09-10. 01.ibm.com. 7 June 2016 .
  28. Web site: 7317-F3L IBM RS/6000 Telecommunications Server Model F3L. 2016-09-10. 01.ibm.com.
  29. Web site: 7007-N40. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110713000903/http://www.ibmmuseum.com/ohlandl/7007/7007-n40.html. 13 July 2011. dmy.
  30. Nadel. Brian. May 31, 1994. RISC Workstations on the Go. PC Magazine. 13. 10. 137.
  31. Web site: IBM RISC System/6000 N40 Notebook Workstation. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20180328164703/http://ps-2.kev009.com/ohlandl/7007/194-062.txt. 28 March 2018.
  32. Web site: Category:860 - ThinkWiki. 2020-12-11. www.thinkwiki.org.