Attached processor complex

The following is the text of a January 30, 1979 IBM Data Processing Division technical press release on the IBM 3033 Attached Processor Complex.

White Plains, N.Y., Jan. 30...A new, more powerful version of IBM's largest computer that extends to users the performance benefits of an additional processor was announced today by International Business Machines Corporation.

The new IBM 3033 Attached Processor Complex, which combines an auxiliary processor with a "host" 3033 computer, provides internal operating performance 60 to 80 percent faster than a single-processor 3033.

This increased power can permit users with large data networks, high-volume tasks and expanded business or scientific applications to process work more quickly, efficiently and economically.

The two processors work as a single entity, handling up to 16 million characters of main data storage under a single system control program. This enables users to simplify job scheduling and streamline their data processing operations.

Additionally, separate powering and the ability to individually control the processors allow the host 3033 to operate while the attached processor is out of service.

Currently installed 3033s can be equipped with the attached processor at the user's location.

The IBM 3033 Attached Processor Complex consists of a 3033 Model A processor, a 3042 Attached Processor, two 3036 consoles, one 3038 communication unit and two 3037 power/cooling units.

Both processors have a 57-billionth of a second cycle time and 65,536 characters of high-speed buffer storage, which improves performance by passing data more quickly from main storage to the processor.

The 3033 host processor incorporates up to 16 data communication channels, which are used by both processors to reach the system's peripheral devices -- printers and displays, for example. Control of these channels may be switched from the host to the attached processor.

Communication between the processors is handled by the 3038 communication unit and separate power for the major elements of the complex is provided by the two 3037 power/cooling units. In addition, each processor has its own 3036 dual-display console for independent control of the processors.

Internal performance comparisons between the new 3033 Attached Processor Complex and 3033 uniprocessors are made for similar configurations and identical programs running under Operating System/ Virtual Storage 2 Multiple Virtual Storage (OS/VS2 MVS).

Operating system support for the 3033 Attached Processor Complex is provided by IBM's Operating System/Virtual Storage 2 Multiple Virtual Storage (OS/VS2 MVS) or Virtual Machine Facility/370 (VM/370).

The Attached Processor Complex also is supported by the IBM MVS/System Extensions program product and IBM VM/System Extensions program product. The IBM MVS/System Extensions program product uses the System/370 Extended Facility, standard on both the 3033 Processor and 3042 Attached Processor. The System Extensions program products offer users increased performance through enhancements to many system control functions.

First customer shipments of the 3033 Attached Processor Complex and field upgrades of 3033 uniprocessors are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 1980. Monthly rental for a representative system with 12 million characters of main memory will be $164,330. Under terms of a four-year agreement, the same system will lease for $149,460. Purchase price for the system will be $5,613,000.

Current 3033 users may upgrade to the Attached Processor Complex for an additional monthly rental of $61,270, an additional lease charge of $55,710 per month or a purchase price of $1,600,000.