28 Jun
2001
28 Jun
'01
5:46 a.m.
The Convergent (mini-engine, mini-frame was a nickname I believe) was a
modular computer made up so small boxes locked together. I think it was sold
mostly to the Government and the military.
The first CPU module (B25) was an Intel 80186 processor. As technology grew
they made units with 286 (B28) and 386 (B36) processors. I believe they ran a
proprietary OS.
I have the module description manual buried somewhere in storage since the
move.
They had single and dual floppies, single and dual HDs of several sizes, tape
drives, mono & color graphics, even a PC emulator module. The module name is
usually on the front.
All of the power supplies were external 36 V with RJ type cables. They were
different power capacities depending on the draw required by the module.
I always thought they were cute but never got one up and running. Monitors
and graphic modules need to match. You need the proprietary keyboard. They
are password protected.
Paxton
Astoria, OR
28 Jun
28 Jun
6:41 a.m.
I think you've gotten a couple things mixed up...
On Thu, 28 Jun 2001 Innfogra(a)aol.com wrote:
The Convergent (mini-engine, mini-frame was a nickname
I believe) was
a modular computer made up so small boxes locked together. I think it
was sold mostly to the Government and the military.
The modular systems under discussion at the moment are collectively known
as NGEN systems. They were developed by Convergent and sold under license
by Burroughs and a few other companies.
The Convergent Mini-frame and Miti-frame systems were M68k-based UNIX
workstations and not very much at all like the NGEN systems.
The first CPU module (B25) was an Intel 80186
processor. As technology grew
they made units with 286 (B28) and 386 (B36) processors. I believe they ran a
proprietary OS.
The Bxx designators are Burroughs nomenclature. The Convergent-labeled
systems had different model numbers; My 8 MHz 80186 NGEN system is a
CM001/8. They all ran an OS called CTOS (or Burroughs-badged BTOS).
All of the power supplies were external 36 V with RJ
type cables. They were
different power capacities depending on the draw required by the module.
All of my power supply modules have the same rating (10). It's not
necessary to power every module; if you have six modules in a system which
have a power rating of, say, 36, between them, you only need four power
supply modules (collectively supplying 40 power units).
There are probably additional rules on hooking up power supplies, but I'm
not able to speak of those just at the moment.
I always thought they were cute but never got one up
and running. Monitors
and graphic modules need to match. You need the proprietary keyboard. They
are password protected.
I was able to defeat the password on a server system by connecting the
drive module to a password-less system and fiddling with a file. If that
sparks inspiration in anybody, drop me a note and I can try to dredge my
memory for specifics.
ok
r.
8578
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