Also known as | IBM RS/6000 |
---|---|
Developer | IBM |
Type |
|
Release date | February 1990 |
Discontinued |
|
CPU | IBM POWER or PowerPC |
Predecessor | IBM RT PC |
Successor | eServer pSeries IntelliStation POWER IBM ThinkPad Power Series |
Related | IBM PC Power Series |
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 was 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.
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 2000–2002.
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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]
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.
Some models were marketed under the RS/6000 POWERstation and POWERserver names.
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.
Model | CPU | MHz | L2/L3 Cache | Memory | Enclosure | Introduced [5] | Discontinued [5] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
41T | PowerPC 601 | 80 | 0 or 512 KB | 16 to 256 MB | Desktop | 1994-06-03 [6] | 1997-01-10 [6] |
41W | 1997-07-18 [7] | ||||||
42T | PowerPC 604 | 120 | 0 or 512 KB | Up to 256 MB | Desktop | 1995-06-19 [8] [9] | 1997-09-24 [8] [9] |
42W |
Model | CPU | MHz | L2/L3 Cache | Memory | Enclosure | Introduced | Discontinued |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M20 | POWER1 | 33 | none | 16 to 64 MB | All-in-one | 1993-02-02 | 1995-01-06 |
M2A [10] | POWER1 | 33 | none | 16 to 64 MB | All-in-one | 1993-02-02 | 1994-10-26 |
These workstations were marketed under the PowerStation name.
Model | CPU | MHz | L2/L3 Cache | Memory | Enclosure | Introduced | Discontinued |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C10 | PowerPC 601 | 80 | 0 or 1 MB | 16 to 256 MB | Desktop | 1994-05-24 | 1997-07-18 |
C1L | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
C20 | PowerPC 604 | 120 | 1 MB | 16 to 256 MB | Desktop | 1995-06-19 | 1998-01-30 |
Model | CPU | MHz | L2/L3 Cache | Memory | Enclosure | Introduced | Discontinued |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
150 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
160 | PowerPC 603 | 66 | ? | 8 MB | Xstation | ? | ? |
220 | PowerPC 604 | 120 | ? | 32 MB | ? | ? | ? |
This type was for Xstations, IBM's line of X terminal.
Model | CPU | MHz | L2/L3 Cache | Memory | Enclosure | Introduced [5] | Discontinued [5] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
220 | RSC | 33 | none | ? | Slimline Desktop | 1992-01-21 | 1995-01-06 |
22G | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
22W | POWER1 | 33 | none | Up to 64 MB | ? | 1993-09-21 | 1996-10-25 |
223 | ? | ? | ? | Up to 64 MB | ? | ? | ? |
230 | RSC | 45 | 128 KB | ? | Slimline Desktop | 1993-05-18 | 1995-01-06 |
23E | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
23S | POWER1 | 45 | none | ? | ? | 1993-05-18 | 1994-10-26 |
23T | POWER1 | 45 | none | Up to 64 MB | ? | 1993-05-18 | 1994-10-26 |
23W | POWER1 | 45 | none | Up to 64 MB | ? | 1993-05-18 | 1994-10-26 |
250 | PowerPC 601 | 66/80 [11] | none | 16 to 256 MB | Slimline Desktop | 1993-09-21 | 1997-07-18 |
25E | PowerPC 601 | 66 | ? | 16 to 256 MB | Planar upgrade (for 220 and 230 families) | ? | ? |
25F | PowerPC 601 | 80 [12] | ? | 16 to 256 MB | Planar upgrade (for 220, 230, and 66 MHz 250 families) | ? | ? |
25S | PowerPC 601 | 66/80 | ? | Up to 256 MB | ? | 1993-09-21 | 1996-10-25 |
25T | PowerPC 601 | 66/80 | ? | Up to 256 MB | ? | 1993-09-21 | 1997-07-18 |
25W | PowerPC 601 | 66/80 | ? | Up to 256 MB | ? | 1993-09-21 | 1996-10-25 |
Model | CPU | MHz | L2/L3 Cache | Memory | Enclosure | Introduced [5] | Discontinued [5] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type 7012 | |||||||
320 | POWER1 | 20 | none | 8 to 32 MB | Desktop | 1990-02-15 | 1992-10-28 |
32E | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
32T | POWER1 | 20 | none | 8 to 64 MB | Tower | ? | 1992-10-28 |
32H | POWER1 | 25 | none | Up to 128 MB | Desktop | 1991-03-12 | 1994-10-26 |
340 | POWER1 | 33 | none | Up to 256 MB | Desktop | 1992-01-21 | 1994-11-04 |
34H | POWER1 | 41.6 | none | Up to 256 MB | Desktop | 1993-07-13 | 1994-10-26 |
34L | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
34R | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
350 | POWER1 | 41 | none | Up to 128 MB | Desktop | 1992-01-21 | 1993-08-18 |
355 | POWER1 | 41 | none | ? | ? | 1993-02-02 | 1994-10-26 |
35R | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
360 | POWER1+ | 50 | none | Up to 256 MB | Desktop | 1993-02-02 | 1994-11-04 |
365 | POWER1+ | 50 | none | Up to 128 MB | Desktop | 1993-02-02 | 1994-10-26 |
36T | POWER1+ | 50 | none | Up to 256 MB | ? | 1993-05-18 | 1994-10-26 |
370 | POWER1++ | 62.5 | none | Up to 256 MB | ? | 1993-02-02 | 1996-05-20 |
375 | POWER1++ | 62.5 | none | Up to 128 MB | ? | 1993-02-02 | 1994-10-26 |
37T | POWER1++ | 62.5 | none | Up to 256 MB | ? | 1993-05-18 | 1996-05-20 |
380 | POWER2+ | 59 | none/0.5/1 MB | 32 to 512 MB | Desktop | 1994-05-24 | 1996-05-20 |
390 | POWER2+ | 67 | 1 MB | 32 to 512 MB | Desktop | 1994-05-24 | 1997-07-18 |
397 | P2SC | 160 | ? | 128 to 1024 MB | Desktop | 1997-10-06 | 1999-03-19 |
39H | POWER2 | 67 | none/1/2 MB [13] | 64 to 512 MB | Desktop | 1995-02-07 | 1998-01-30 |
39T | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
G02 | ? | ? | ? | ? | Tower | ? | ? |
G30 | PowerPC 601 (2 or 4) | 75 | ? | 32 to 512 MB | Tower [12] | 1994-10-04 | 1996-10-23 |
G40 | PowerPC 604 (2 or 4) | 112 | 0.5 MB per CPU [14] | 64 MB to 1 GB | Tower | 1996-07-23 | 1998-01-08 |
type 7030 | |||||||
355 | POWER1 | 41 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
375 | POWER1++ | 62.5 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
37T | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
397 | P2SC | 160 | ? | ? | Desktop | 1997-10-06 | 1999-01-19 |
3AT | POWER2+ | 59 | none | 32 to 512 MB | Desktop | 1994-05-24 | 1997-01-10 |
3BT | POWER2+ | 67 | 0.5 or 1 MB | 32 to 512 MB | Desktop | 1994-05-24 | 1998-01-08 |
3CT | POWER2 | 67 | none/1/2 MB [15] | 64 to 512 MB | Desktop | 1995-02-07 | 1998-01-08 |
The 380, 390, and 39H servers correspond to the 3AT, 3BT, and 3CT workstations.
The 7016-730 model was a version of 7013-530 model, but with licensed by Silicon Graphics graphics card. [16]
Model | CPU | MHz | L2/L3 Cache | Memory | Enclosure | Introduced [5] | Discontinued [5] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type 7013 | |||||||
520 | POWER1 | 20 | none | 8 to 128 MB | Deskside | 1990-02-15 | 1992-04-21 |
52E | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
52H | POWER1 | 25 | none | Up to 512 MB | Deskside | 1992-01-21 | 1995-01-06 |
530 | POWER1 | 25 | none | 16 to 128 MB | Deskside | 1990-02-15 | 1992-01-02 |
53H | POWER1 | 33 | none | 32 to 512 MB HD3 (33 MHz) | Deskside | 1991-10-02 | 1993-08-18 |
53E | POWER1 [17] | 33 | none | 32 to 512 MB HD3 (33 MHz) | Deskside | 1992-01-21 | ? |
540 | POWER1 | 30 | none | 64 to 256 MB | Deskside | 1990-02-15 | 1992-01-02 |
550 | POWER1 | 41.6 | none | 64 MB to 1 GB | Deskside | 1990-10-30 | 1993-08-18 |
55E | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
55L | POWER1 | 41.6 | none | Up to 256 MB | Deskside | 1993-05-18 | 1994-10-26 |
55S | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
560 | POWER1+ | 50 | none | Up to 1 GB | Deskside | 1992-01-21 | 1993-12-21 |
56F | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
570 | POWER1+ | 50 | none | Up to 1 GB | Deskside | 1993-02-02 | 1996-05-20 |
571 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
57F | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
57L | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
580 | POWER1++ | 62.5 | none | 64 MB to 1 GB | Deskside | 1992-09-22 | 1996-05-20 |
58F | POWER1++ [18] | 62.5 | none | 64 MB to 1 GB | Deskside | 1992-11-27 | ? |
58H | POWER2 | 55.6 | none | 64 MB to 2 GB | Deskside | 1993-09-21 | 1996-10-25 |
590 | POWER2 | 66.7 | none | 64 MB to 2 GB | Deskside | 1993-09-21 | 1997-09-24 |
591 | POWER2 | 77 | none | 64 MB to 2 GB | Deskside | 1995-07-25 | 1997-07-18 |
595 | P2SC | 135 | none | 64 MB to 2 GB | Deskside | 1996-10-08 | 1999-01-08 |
59H | POWER2+ | 66.7 | 1 MB | 64 MB to 2 GB | Deskside | 1994-05-24 | 1997-01-10 |
J01 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
J30 | PowerPC 601 (2 or 4) | 75 | ? | 128 MB to 2 GB | Deskside | 1994-10-04 | 1996-10-23 |
J40 | PowerPC 604 (2 to 8) | 112 | 1 MB | 128 MB to 2 GB | Deskside | 1996-08-30 | 1998-01-08 |
J50 | PowerPC 604e (2 to 8) | 200 | ? | ? | Deskside | 1997-04-30 | 1999-01-08 |
Type 7016 | |||||||
730 | POWER1 | 25 | none | 16 to 128 MB | Deskside | 1990 | ? |
731 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
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.
Model | CPU | MHz | L2/L3 Cache | Memory | Enclosure | Introduced [5] | Discontinued [5] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
920 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
930 | POWER1 | 25 | none | 16 to 128 MB | Rack tower | 1990-02-15 | 1992-07-15 |
950 | POWER1 | 41 | ? | Up to 512 MB | Rack tower | 1991-05-07 | 1993-12-21 |
95E | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
960 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
970 | POWER1+ | 50 | ? | Up to 1 GB | Rack tower | 1992-04-21 | 1993-08-18 |
97B | POWER1+ | 50 | ? | ? | Rack tower | 1993-02-02 | 1995-01-06 |
97E | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
97F | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
980 | POWER1++ | 62.5 | none | Up to 1 GB | Rack tower | 1992-09-22 | 1993-08-18 |
98B | POWER1++ | 62.5 | ? | ? | Rack tower | 1993-02-02 | 1996-05-20 |
98E | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
98F | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
990 | POWER2 | 71.5 | none | 128 MB to 2 GB | Rack tower | 1993-09-21 | 1996-05-20 |
99E | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
99F | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
99J | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
99K | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
R10 | POWER1+ | 50 | none | 128 MB to 1 GB | 6U racks | 1994-05-24 | 1996-05-20 |
R20 | POWER2+ | 66 | 1 MB | 128 MB to 2 GB | 6U racks | 1994-05-24 | 1998-01-30 |
R21 | POWER2 | 77 | ? | ? | 6U racks | 1995-07-25 | 1996-10-25 |
R24 | POWER2+ | 71.5 | 2 MB | 128 MB to 2 GB | 10U racks | 1994-05-24 | 1998-01-30 |
R30 | PowerPC 601 (2 or 4) | 75 | ? | 128 MB to 2 GB | 6U racks | 1994-10-04 | 1996-10-23 |
R40 | PowerPC 604 (2 to 8) | 112 | ? | 128 MB to 2 GB | 6U racks | 1996-07-23 | 1998-01-08 |
R4U | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
R50 | PowerPC 604e (2 to 8) | 200 | ? | Up to 4 GB | 6U racks | 1997-04-15 | 2000-08-15 |
R5U | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
Produced since 1994 until the time were the RS/6000 line was rebranded to System P.
Model | CPU | # of CPUs | MHz | L2/L3 Cache | Memory | Enclosure | Introduced | Discontinued |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
S70 | RS64 | 4, 8 or 12 | 125 | ? | ? | 2+ racks | 1997-10-31 | 1999-12-13 |
RS64-II | 262 | ? | ? | 1998-10-05 | ||||
S7A | RS64-II | 4 to 12 | 262 | 8 MB | 1 to 32 GB | 2+ racks | 1998-10-23 | 2000-12-01 |
S80 | RS64-III [19] | 6 to 24 | 450 [19] | 8 MB [19] | 2 to 64 GB [19] | 2+ racks [19] | 1999-09-24 | 2001-08-31 |
S85 | RS64-III / IV | 4 to 24 | 450/600 | 8/16 MB | 2 to 96 GB | Racks | 2000-11-17 | ? |
Model | CPU | MHz | L2/L3 Cache | Memory | Enclosure | Introduced | Discontinued |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0U0 | PowerPC 601 | 66 | ? | ? | Desktop | 1994-10-04 | 1996-01-19 |
40P [20] | PowerPC 601 | 66 | ? | 16 to 192 MB | Desktop | ? | ? |
B1B | PowerPC 601 | 66 | ? | ? | Desktop | 1994-10-04 | 1996-01-19 |
B1C | PowerPC 601 | 66 | ? | ? | Desktop | 1994-10-04 | 1996-01-19 |
D1D | PowerPC 601 | 66 | ? | ? | Desktop | 1994-10-04 | 1996-01-19 |
D2D | PowerPC 601 | 66 | ? | ? | Desktop | 1994-10-04 | 1996-01-19 |
D4E | ? | ? | ? | ? | Desktop | 1995-02-07 | 1996-01-19 |
SPE | PowerPC 601 | 66 | ? | ? | Desktop | 1994-10-04 | 1996-01-19 |
Model | CPU | MHz | L2/L3 Cache | Memory | Enclosure | Introduced | Discontinued |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
E20 | PowerPC 604 | 100/133 | 512 KB | 16 to 512 MB | Tower | 1995-10-10 | 1997-07-18 |
PowerPC 604e | 233 | 1997-04-?? | ? | ||||
E30 | PowerPC 604 | 133/166 | ? | 64 to 1024 MB | Tower | 1996-04-23 | 1999-03-19 |
PowerPC 604e | 233 | 1997-04-?? | 1999-03-19 |
Model | CPU | MHz | L2/L3 Cache | Memory | Enclosure | Introduced | Discontinued |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F30 | PowerPC 604 | 133/166 | ? | Up to 1 GB | Tower | 1996-02-20 | 1998-01-08 |
F40 | PowerPC 604e (1 or 2) | 166/233 | ? | Up to 1 GB | Tower | 1996-10-08 | 2000-05-08 |
F50 | PowerPC 604e (1 to 4) | 166/332 | 256 KB | 128 MB to 3 GB | Tower | 1997-04-25 [21] | 2001-07-17 [21] |
F80 [22] | RS64-III (1 to 6) | 450/500 | 2/4 MB (SMP) | 8/16 GB (SMP) | Deskside [22] | 2000-05-09 | 2001-07-13 |
F85 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
Model | CPU | MHz | L2/L3 Cache | Memory | Enclosure | Introduced | Discontinued |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H10 | PowerPC 604e (1 or 2) | 166/233 | ? | Up to 1 GB | 7U racks | 1997-02-14 | 1998-02-27 |
H50 | PowerPC 604e (1 to 4) | 332 | ? | Up to 3 GB | 8U racks | 1998-02-20 | 2000-12-01 |
H70 | RS64-II (1 to 4) | 340 | ? | Up to 8 GB | 8U racks | 1999-04-23 | 2001-07-17 |
H80 | RS64-III/IV (1 to 6) | 450/500 | ? | Up to 16 GB | 5U racks | 2000-06-09 | 2001-07-13 |
M80 | RS64-III/IV (2 to 8) | 500/750 | ? | ? | 8U racks | 2000-06-09 | 2002-01-31 |
B80 | ? | ? | ? | ? | 5U racks | ? | ? |
Model | CPU | MHz | L2/L3 Cache | Memory | Enclosure | Introduced | Discontinued |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type 7248 | |||||||
43P | PowerPC 604 | 100/120/132/166 [23] | 256/512 KB | 16 to 192 MB | Desktop | 1995-06-19 | 1997-07-18 |
Type 7043 | |||||||
43P-140 | PowerPC 604e | 166/200/233/332 | 1 MB | 32 to 768 MB | Desktop | 1996-10-08 | 2000-12-01 |
43P-150 | PowerPC 604e | 250/375 | 1 MB | 64 MB to 1 GB | Desktop | 1998-10-05 | 2003-12-12 |
43P-240 | PowerPC 604e (1 or 2) | 166/233 | 512 KB/1 MB per CPU [24] | 64 MB to 1 GB | Desktop | 1996-10-08 | 1999-03-19 |
43P-260 | POWER3 (1 or 2) | 200 | 4 MB per CPU | 128 MB to 4 GB | Tower | 1998-10-05 | 2000-12-01 |
43P-270 [25] [26] | POWER3-II (up to 4) | 200/375/450 | 4/8 MB per CPU | up to 8 GB | Tower | 2000-02-25 | 2003-09-12 |
Model | CPU | MHz | L2/L3 Cache | Memory | Enclosure | Introduced | Discontinued |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
44P-170 | POWER3-II | 333/400/450 | 1/4/8 MB | 256 MB to 2 GB | Tower | 2000-02-07 | 2003-12-12 |
44P-270 [27] | POWER3-II (Up to 4) | 375/450 | 4/8 MB | 256 MB to 16 GB | Tower | 2000-02-07 | 2003-09-12 |
Model | CPU | MHz | L2/L3 Cache | Memory | Enclosure | Introduced | Discontinued |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
B50 | PowerPC 604e | 375 | 1 MB | Up to 1 GB | 2U racks | 1999-09-13 | 2003-09-12 |
Model | CPU | MHz | L2/L3 Cache | Memory | Enclosure | Introduced | Discontinued |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F3L [28] | PowerPC 604 | 133 | 512 KB | 32 to 960 MB | 17U racks | 1996-10-08 | 1999-12-13 |
PowerPC 604e | 166 | 1 MB | 32 MB to 1 GB | ||||
233 | 512 KB |
Model | CPU | MHz | L2/L3 Cache | Memory | Enclosure | Introduced | Discontinued |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
N40 | PowerPC 601 | 50 | ? | 16 to 64 MB [29] | Laptop | 1994-03-08 | 1997-06-30 |
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]
Model | CPU | MHz | L2/L3 Cache | Memory | Enclosure | Introduced | Discontinued |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
851 | PowerPC 603e | 100 | 256 KB | 32 to 96 MB | Laptop | 1996-02-20 | 1996-11-08 |
860 [32] | PowerPC 603e | 166 | 256 KB | 32 to 96 MB | Laptop | 1996-10-08 | 1998-01-30 |
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