What is this IBM machine? A computer? Server?

Apr 20, 2008
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It's at my work near faxes and such. It has 5.25" floppies in a slot. Any ideas?
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Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
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www.anyf.ca
That's the server that runs the company's payroll system. The floppy is for backups, but the license for the software expired 8 years ago so it has not been run since.

At least that would be my guess. :p

But yeah it looks like some kind of server. Probably like a Pentium 1 or something, if that. All those buttons are intriguing though... it might be more than just a server.
 

Demo24

Diamond Member
Aug 5, 2004
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But yeah it looks like some kind of server. Probably like a Pentium 1 or something, if that. All those buttons are intriguing though... it might be more than just a server.

Actually from that era of IBM I wouldn't be surprised if it had proprietary IBM built components inside.
 

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
Staff member
Oct 30, 2000
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Providing a model number might allow you to get your answer.

And I think that most servers are computers :p
 

Narse

Moderator<br>Computer Help
Moderator
Mar 14, 2000
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That's a old IBM 3174 mainframe controller. It provides the connection between terminals and the 3170 mainframe. Uses a token ring type network over coax typically.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
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joys of token ring... shudder


whatever you do, do not let this machine die. Your company will collapse.
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
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That's a old IBM 3174 mainframe controller. It provides the connection between terminals and the 3170 mainframe. Uses a token ring type network over coax typically.

Beat me to it :) We have one of those in our "museum". :)
 

SagaLore

Elite Member
Dec 18, 2001
24,036
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Oh cool, you found one of the early models of the AS/381. Its a prototype SMB mainframe that runs cobol and fortran as its primary languages, this thing came out just before Windows 3.1 became "popular". There are only a few of these in existence are can probably sold for a few hundred thousand dollars if its still in working condition (I would contact IBM if I were you). One of the oddities with this model and operating system is its the only mainframe that ran a 10-bit ebcdic character set.
 

OVerLoRDI

Diamond Member
Jan 22, 2006
5,490
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Oh cool, you found one of the early models of the AS/381. Its a prototype SMB mainframe that runs cobol and fortran as its primary languages, this thing came out just before Windows 3.1 became "popular". There are only a few of these in existence are can probably sold for a few hundred thousand dollars if its still in working condition (I would contact IBM if I were you). One of the oddities with this model and operating system is its the only mainframe that ran a 10-bit ebcdic character set.

Wow, that is weird.
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
Oh cool, you found one of the early models of the AS/381. Its a prototype SMB mainframe that runs cobol and fortran as its primary languages, this thing came out just before Windows 3.1 became "popular". There are only a few of these in existence are can probably sold for a few hundred thousand dollars if its still in working condition (I would contact IBM if I were you). One of the oddities with this model and operating system is its the only mainframe that ran a 10-bit ebcdic character set.

You sure? If this is true, I'm stealing ours out of storage and retiring early :D
 

mmntech

Lifer
Sep 20, 2007
17,501
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Oh cool, you found one of the early models of the AS/381. Its a prototype SMB mainframe that runs cobol and fortran as its primary languages, this thing came out just before Windows 3.1 became "popular". There are only a few of these in existence are can probably sold for a few hundred thousand dollars if its still in working condition (I would contact IBM if I were you). One of the oddities with this model and operating system is its the only mainframe that ran a 10-bit ebcdic character set.

Somebody just nerdgasmed all over ATOT. D:

I remember seeing something similar to this about ten years ago. This computer store had opened up near me with the idea of reselling used equipment. Had a bunch of old servers. Yeah, it's a travel agency now. :p
 

Lanyap

Elite Member
Dec 23, 2000
8,286
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That's a old IBM 3174 mainframe controller. It provides the connection between terminals and the 3170 mainframe. Uses a token ring type network over coax typically.


This is correct, except I think you meant 370 mainframe. I used to configure these things. They are built like a tank. That one is probably 30 years old.

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