From the newest PowerPC*-based desktop to the large Scalable POWERparallel Systems* (SP* systems), you can find an RS/6000* platform that is right for your business.
AIX* supports a variety of device drivers for PCI and ISA adapters and devices as well as Micro Channel* adapters.
AIX Connections lets your PCs work with resources in the powerful UNIX** world.
AIX reaches out to people everywhere with the translated Program Integrated Information (PII) for Catalan, Simplified Chinese, and the Slavic languages.
AIX demonstrates its intent to provide a highly interoperable environment through receipt of XPG4 and UNIX93 branding, and with its commitment to full Single UNIX Specification compliance.
The Common Desktop Environment (CDE) makes AIX easier to use and helps keep a lid on new training costs.
You can tailor the package of AIX software, service, and publications components to your needs.
AIX's graphical user interface tools help guide you through installation and configuration tasks.
Beginning with Version 4.2, IBM is packaging many popular software applications that help get you ready and running on the Internet.
When you turn on the tap to get a glass of water, you don't think about the maze of pipes, pumps, and valves that bring the water to you. The same should be true of the information systems you use to run your business; they should deliver the information you need, when you need it, and in the form you require, without your awareness of its underlying plumbing. Your operating system should be just as transparent, enabling you to get on with your work. IBM designed AIX Version 4 to do just this to help real people do real work.
AIX Version 4 is a robust UNIX operating system. In addition to XPG4 branding, AIX Version 4 complies with the Portable Operating System Interface for Computer Environments (POSIX**) IEEE 1003.1-1990 and with IBM's Open Blueprint* client/server computing model. And, IBM is currently seeking X/Open UNIX95 branding for AIX Version 4.2.
While standards compliance is essential, it is the added qualities that make the difference between a lab environment and a commercially viable platform. Right from the start, AIX has included many popular attributes from IBM's mainframe heritage, such as:
More flexible and granular licensing options offer potential savings on software license costs as well as system resources by letting you choose, and pay for, only the AIX you need. Individually selecting software, support, publications, and installation media (including CD-ROM) also helps you match costs to your actual system usage.
Many systems fall down in their efforts to shield the customer from the "plumbing" underneath. This is particularly true during the initial installation of the system itself. Here, again, IBM applies its real-world, end-user environment experience to AIX.
Several AIX installation tools use the Common Desktop Environment (CDE) graphical user interface. This helps make the AIX Version 4 installation process faster and easier, requiring less user decision-making and expertise. For example:
What's more, to further speed up and simplify installation, the system automatically detects attached hardware devices and installs only the required device drivers. It even detects whether the software is being installed on a uniprocessor or a symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) and loads the appropriate kernel. If it detects an appropriate graphics adapter, the system loads Xwindows.
Once installed, the most visible part of AIX Version 4 to users is the CDE graphical user interface. This interface provides an intuitive easy-to-use, drag-and-drop to manage the user environment.
CDE provides advantages to the user, system administrator, and developer by providing commonality across multiple platforms. By design, CDE supports distributed, enterprise-wide computing. Data and application execution locations are transparent, and a majority of applications based on OSF/Motif** can run unmodified in the CDE environment.CDE provides easier access to the following objects and functions:
Graphics users will enjoy the range of 2D to 3D graphics capabilities available with the separately orderable graphics application programming interfaces, a wide variety of accelerators, and applications, such as the Soft5080 for AIX emulation program that lets you interact with popular mainframe graphics on your RS/6000 workstation.
For system administrators, AIX contains a comprehensive set of tools for stream-lining installation and upgrades as well as for simplifying frequently performed tasks. These facilities extend AIX's management capabilities across multiple IBM and non-IBM LAN-based and mainframe systems. AIX Version 4 provides an outstanding level of coexistence and interoperability. This is essential when managing the complex client and server environments of today.
For developers, AIX offers an outstanding set of development tools and an integrated SOMobjects base toolkit that allows developers to begin reusing and porting blocks of code. With the CommonPoint** Application System, AIX Version 4 is positioned to become a premier object-oriented programming development environment.
Usability also requires access to applications. With binary compatibility for the majority of existing AIX applications, AIX Version 4 offers just such a rich portfolio of business solutions. What's more, you can use optional IBM and third-party products to run many of your favorite DOS and Windows**-based applications as well.
In addition to working with the interfaces and applications you are accustomed to, AIX Version 4 addresses the language concerns of end users in global companies by offering broader internationalization support for native languages and character sets.
As with any other business investment, you must view operating system technology based on its potential returns. For operating systems, the returns can be operational enhancements or reduced costs. These, in turn, can result in a significant competitive advantage for your business.
So the question becomes, what potential benefits can be realized through this technology. For AIX Version 4, these include:
AIX Version 4.2 delivers many exciting new features and enhancements to stay at the leading edge of the ever evolving operating system technology.
AIX Version 4.2 is designed to conform to standards for compatibility to other UNIX operating systems. This includes support for a wide range of standards and specifications. AIX Version 4.2 complies with the X/Open Single UNIX Specification (formerly known as SPEC1170). IBM is currently seeking X/Open XPG4 UNIX95 certification for this release.
In addition, AIX Version 4.2 expands the family of operating system packages with an Entry Client Package. Priced at a lower cost than the traditional AIX Client package, the Entry Client provides the base operating system and delivers functions typically found in desktop commercial client environments.
AIX Version 4 is the base for the future and continues to focus on integrating state-of-the-art object technologies. In addition, AIX Version 4 provides a clear path to the future for existingAIX Version 3.2-based applications. AIX simplifies the complexities of enabling and managing today's heterogeneous environments while providing a clear, sound investment path.
| Feature | Benefit |
| Fully-threaded kernel |
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Binary compatibility for most AIX 3.2 applications |
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Common mode compilation across POWER, POWER2, and PowerPC systems |
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| The base for new systems |
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| Variety of client and server packages |
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| Support for file systems larger than 2GB |
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| XPG4 base branded; designed to conform |
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| Integrated SOMobjects* Base Toolkit |
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| JFS dynamic compression/decompression |
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| Installation Assistant |
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Automated Hardware Recognition AIX integrated with CDE |
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| Interfaces |
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| Software deinstallation |
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| C2 security enhancements |
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| Performance, diagnostic, and data |
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| Network Installation Manager (NIM) |
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| System backup command enhancements |
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| Sample unicode developer's tool |
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| Feature | Benefit |
| Support for files up to 64GB |
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| Graphical Workstation Manager |
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| Support for multiple independent |
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| Multiple networking enhancements |
Lets you choose the environments you want by supporting the following:
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| Improved international language support |
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| Bonus Pack |
Provides new and popular software, including:
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| Year2000 enabled |
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| Dynamic loading API |
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| Device support up to 1 terabyte |
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AIX Connections provides a premiere workgroup solution for a network of PC systems. This server software package works with clients running popular operating systems, including OS/2*, Windows, Windows 95, Windows NT** Workstation and Macintosh**.
With AIX Connections, you get a rich and robust environment for enterprise computing. It provides the ability to connect PC clients to UNIX data and applications, meeting the current demand for true distributed computing. And, you can integrate UNIX servers into existing PC client environments without purchasing extra hardware or software.
AIX Connections provides leading-edge PC-to-UNIX connectivity. This enables it to operate with other AIX applications, such as databases, communication gateways, and network file systems. AIX Connections also provides the infrastructure for file and printer sharing services between AIX servers and attached PC clients.
AIX Connections is an ideal base for server applications because it provides a robust set of functions for concurrent processing required by:
The Asynchronous Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) is one of the key benefits of AIX Connections. PPP enables remote communications with very fast modem and data compression capabilities. This makes it easier for mobile clients to access data and applications on their home servers as if they were right in the work area.
AIX Connections uses a network communications protocol that dynamically configures network clients. This protocol offers the security protection required for dynamically executing network updates and configuration.
As you rightsize applications on AIX platforms, you can add AIX Connections software, giving your PC or Macintosh-based client access to this information. This adds the extra value of helping pro-tect your information systems investments while providing for future growth.
This product is backed by IBM's world-wide on-site service and support. IBM's commitment is behind every product sold, in order to provide the highest customer satisfaction possible. IBM customer financing provides an additional incentive. An array of attractive and flexible financing programs eases the acquisition of new technology and helps protect you from the risk of obsolescence.
| AIX Connections |
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| Capability to generate diskettes from AIX |
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| Embedded gateway support for popular |
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| Peer-to-peer services |
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| Double-byte Character Set |
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| SMIT and DSMIT |
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| (DHCP) time and expertise |
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| Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) support |
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| Simplified "How To" documentation |
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Contact your IBM marketing representative or IBM Business Partner. Call (415) 855-4329, a U.S. phone number, to have information faxed to your location. In the U.S., call 1 800 IBM-4FAX(1 800 426-4329). International Business Machines Corporation 1996 IBM Corporation Department PDQA RISC System/6000 Division Route 100 P.O. Box 100 Somers, New York 10589 Printed in the United States of America 4-96 All Rights Reserved References in this publication to IBM products or services do not imply that IBM intends to make them available in all countries in which IBM operates. Photographs show engineering and design models. Changes may be incorporated in production models. * -- The following terms are trademarks or registered trademarks of the IBM Corporation in theUnited States or other countries or both: IBM, AIX,Micro Channel, NetView, Open Blueprint, OS/2, POWERparallel, PowerPC, RISC System/6000, RS/6000, Scalable POWERparallel Systems, SOMobjects, SP, System View, and Ultimedia. ** -- UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company, Limited. Windows and Windows NT are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other company, product, and service names, which are denoted by a double asterisk, may be trademarks or service marks of others. The IBM home page on the Internet can be found at http://www.ibm.com G2214234