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The '''IBM RISC System/6000''' (almost always written '''RS/6000''') is a family of RISC-based UNIX workstations, servers and high-end supercomputing systems introduced by IBM on '''February 15, 1990'''. The RS/6000 was the first computer line to use IBM's '''POWER''' architecture and later its successor '''PowerPC''', and replaced the earlier [[IBM RT PC]] platform.<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_RS/6000</ref><ref>http://ps-2.kev009.com/rootvg/column_risc.htm</ref> The RS/6000 brand was retired in October 2000 in favour of the new IBM eServer pSeries name; the underlying machine-type numbers continued in service for years afterward.<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_RS/6000</ref>
The '''IBM RISC System/6000''' (almost always written '''RS/6000''') is a family of RISC-based UNIX workstations, servers and high-end supercomputing systems introduced by IBM on '''February 15, 1990'''. The RS/6000 was the first computer line to use IBM's '''POWER''' architecture and later its successor '''PowerPC''', and replaced the earlier [[IBM RT PC]] platform.<ref name="se5d43d">[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_RS/6000 Wikipedia &mdash; IBM RS/6000] Tertiary source.</ref><ref name="s394548">[http://ps-2.kev009.com/rootvg/column_risc.htm kev009.com โ€” IBM PS/2 and PC document mirror &mdash; column risc]</ref> The RS/6000 brand was retired in October 2000 in favour of the new IBM eServer pSeries name; the underlying machine-type numbers continued in service for years afterward.<ref name="se5d43d" />


The initial February 1990 launch included three machines: the desktop '''7012-320''' POWERstation, the deskside '''7013-530''' POWERserver and the rack '''7015-920''' enterprise system, all running a multi-chip POWER1 implementation (codenamed "RIOS") at 20 MHz under AIX 3.x.<ref>http://ps-2.kev009.com/rootvg/column_risc.htm</ref> The RS/6000 line grew rapidly to encompass over a dozen machine-type families, ranging from the 9-kg notebook ([[#7020 / N40|7020-N40]]) to the multi-frame [[#7015 (large rack)|7015 R50 supercomputers]], and pioneered the use of out-of-order, super-scalar RISC microarchitecture in commercial computing.
The initial February 1990 launch included three machines: the desktop '''7012-320''' POWERstation, the deskside '''7013-530''' POWERserver and the rack '''7015-920''' enterprise system, all running a multi-chip POWER1 implementation (codenamed "RIOS") at 20 MHz under AIX 3.x.<ref name="s394548" /> The RS/6000 line grew rapidly to encompass over a dozen machine-type families, ranging from the 9-kg notebook ([[#7020 / N40|7020-N40]]) to the multi-frame [[#7015 (large rack)|7015 R50 supercomputers]], and pioneered the use of out-of-order, super-scalar RISC microarchitecture in commercial computing.


The internal name for the POWER1 chip research was "America"; the systems built around that chip were collectively "RIOS".<ref>http://ps-2.kev009.com/rootvg/column_risc.htm</ref> POWER stands for ''Performance Optimization With Enhanced RISC''.
The internal name for the POWER1 chip research was "America"; the systems built around that chip were collectively "RIOS".<ref name="s394548" /> POWER stands for ''Performance Optimization With Enhanced RISC''.


== Architecture Eras ==
== Architecture Eras ==
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The MCM-based POWER1 and POWER2 use one large ceramic module with several dies for the integer unit, floating-point unit, instruction cache, data cache, and storage control. The P2SC of 1996 collapses the POWER2 MCM into a single die.<ref>http://ps-2.kev009.com/jasper/ibm/RS6K.arch.html</ref><ref>https://ardent-tool.com/RS6000/ENUS197-267.pdf</ref>
The MCM-based POWER1 and POWER2 use one large ceramic module with several dies for the integer unit, floating-point unit, instruction cache, data cache, and storage control. The P2SC of 1996 collapses the POWER2 MCM into a single die.<ref name="s521b18">[http://ps-2.kev009.com/jasper/ibm/RS6K.arch.html kev009.com โ€” IBM PS/2 and PC document mirror &mdash; RS6K.arch]</ref><ref name="s1dc9f2">[https://ardent-tool.com/RS6000/ENUS197-267.pdf ardent-tool.com (Louis Ohland / Tomรกลก Slavotรญnek) &mdash; ENUS197 267]</ref>


<gallery widths="220" heights="160" mode="packed">
<gallery widths="220" heights="160" mode="packed">
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The 7011 chassis is a low-profile "pizza-box" desktop, 84 ร— 406 ร— 419 mm, 9.0โ€“11.5 kg.<ref>https://web-docs.gsi.de/~kraemer/COLLECTION/IBM/RISC_System-6000_POWERstation-POWERserver_250_series_upgrades_from_220_or_230_series_and_POWER.html</ref><ref>https://blog.pizzabox.computer/pizzaboxes/powerstation250/</ref>
The 7011 chassis is a low-profile "pizza-box" desktop, 84 ร— 406 ร— 419 mm, 9.0โ€“11.5 kg.<ref name="se38a88">[https://web-docs.gsi.de/~kraemer/COLLECTION/IBM/RISC_System-6000_POWERstation-POWERserver_250_series_upgrades_from_220_or_230_series_and_POWER.html GSI web-docs mirror &mdash; RISC System 6000 POWERstation POWERserver 250 series upgrades from 220 or 230 series and Pโ€ฆ]</ref><ref name="s402496">[https://blog.pizzabox.computer/pizzaboxes/powerstation250/ pizzabox.computer blog &mdash; powerstation250]</ref>


=== 7012 (POWERstation / POWERserver deskside) ===
=== 7012 (POWERstation / POWERserver deskside) ===
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<ref>https://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/printableversion.wss?docURL=/common/ssi/rep_sm/h/897/ENUS7012-39H/index.html</ref><ref>https://ardent-tool.com/RS6000/ENUS197-267.pdf</ref><ref>https://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/ShowDoc.wss?docURL=/common/ssi/rep_sm/7/877/ENUS7012-397/index.html</ref>
<ref name="s8f02ef">[https://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/printableversion.wss?docURL=/common/ssi/rep_sm/h/897/ENUS7012-39H/index.html IBM (legacy support site) &mdash; printableversion.wss]</ref><ref name="s1dc9f2" /><ref name="s310ae7">[https://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/ShowDoc.wss?docURL=/common/ssi/rep_sm/7/877/ENUS7012-397/index.html IBM Support &mdash; ShowDoc.wss]</ref>


[[File:IBM RS6000 7012-320.jpg|center|thumb|450px|IBM RS/6000 POWERstation 320 (7012-320) โ€” launch model of February 1990. (Image: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0)]]
[[File:IBM RS6000 7012-320.jpg|center|thumb|450px|IBM RS/6000 POWERstation 320 (7012-320) โ€” launch model of February 1990. (Image: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0)]]
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<ref>https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7093162</ref><ref>https://www.ardent-tool.com/RS6000/docs/pdf/38053100.pdf</ref>
<ref name="s62058a">[https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7093162 IBM Support &mdash; node 7093162]</ref><ref name="sd0c051">[https://www.ardent-tool.com/RS6000/docs/pdf/38053100.pdf ardent-tool.com (Louis Ohland / Tomรกลก Slavotรญnek) &mdash; 38053100]</ref>


[[File:IBM RS6000 7013.jpg|center|thumb|450px|IBM RS/6000 7013 deskside (POWER2 era). (Image: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0)]]
[[File:IBM RS6000 7013.jpg|center|thumb|450px|IBM RS/6000 7013 deskside (POWER2 era). (Image: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0)]]
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The 7015 is the large rack enterprise family โ€” full-frame servers with up to 32 GB ECC RAM and multiple CPU drawers.
The 7015 is the large rack enterprise family โ€” full-frame servers with up to 32 GB ECC RAM and multiple CPU drawers.


Lineup includes 930, 950, 970, 980, 990, R10, R20, R21, R24, R30, R40, R50.<ref>http://ps-2.kev009.com/rootvg/RSmodels.htm</ref> '''R10''' uses POWER1; '''R20 / R24''' use POWER2 (introduced September 1993). R10 / R20 / R21 CPU drawer is 267 ร— 446 ร— 610 mm, โ‰ฅ30.3 kg, 0.29 kVA typical, 200โ€“240 V. R24 is 446 ร— 446 ร— 710 mm, โ‰ฅ51.3 kg, 0.685 kVA, 200โ€“240 V or โˆ’48 V DC. R30 / R40 / R50 are 267 ร— 446 ร— 925 mm, โ‰ฅ59.7 kg.
Lineup includes 930, 950, 970, 980, 990, R10, R20, R21, R24, R30, R40, R50.<ref name="s2a75b1">[http://ps-2.kev009.com/rootvg/RSmodels.htm kev009.com โ€” IBM PS/2 and PC document mirror &mdash; RSmodels]</ref> '''R10''' uses POWER1; '''R20 / R24''' use POWER2 (introduced September 1993). R10 / R20 / R21 CPU drawer is 267 ร— 446 ร— 610 mm, โ‰ฅ30.3 kg, 0.29 kVA typical, 200โ€“240 V. R24 is 446 ร— 446 ร— 710 mm, โ‰ฅ51.3 kg, 0.685 kVA, 200โ€“240 V or โˆ’48 V DC. R30 / R40 / R50 are 267 ร— 446 ร— 925 mm, โ‰ฅ59.7 kg.


=== 7020 / N40 (notebook) ===
=== 7020 / N40 (notebook) ===


The '''7020 / 7007-N40''' is the first PowerPC notebook released by IBM, co-developed with Tadpole Computer. Announced March 1994; sales started October 1994; discontinued 1995.<ref>http://www.ibmfiles.com/pages/rs6000n40.htm</ref><ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ThinkPad_Power_Series</ref> Specifications: 50 MHz PowerPC 601, 32 KB unified L1 cache, 16โ€“64 MB RAM, 9.4โ€ณ TFT, PCMCIA. Runs a special "AIX for N40" 3.2.5 build with custom modem, SCSI, PCMCIA and Token Ring drivers.<ref>https://www.openpa.net/risc/ibm_powerpc_rs6000_n40_800_850_860.html</ref>
The '''7020 / 7007-N40''' is the first PowerPC notebook released by IBM, co-developed with Tadpole Computer. Announced March 1994; sales started October 1994; discontinued 1995.<ref name="se8a90e">[http://www.ibmfiles.com/pages/rs6000n40.htm ibmfiles.com &mdash; rs6000n40]</ref><ref name="s94e453">[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ThinkPad_Power_Series Wikipedia &mdash; ThinkPad Power Series] Tertiary source.</ref> Specifications: 50 MHz PowerPC 601, 32 KB unified L1 cache, 16โ€“64 MB RAM, 9.4โ€ณ TFT, PCMCIA. Runs a special "AIX for N40" 3.2.5 build with custom modem, SCSI, PCMCIA and Token Ring drivers.<ref name="sf16357">[https://www.openpa.net/risc/ibm_powerpc_rs6000_n40_800_850_860.html OpenPA &mdash; ibm powerpc rs6000 n40 800 850 860]</ref>


[[File:IBM RS6000 860 laptop.jpg|right|thumb|320px|IBM RS/6000 N40 notebook (PowerPC 601, AIX 3.2.5 for N40). (Image: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0)]]
[[File:IBM RS6000 860 laptop.jpg|right|thumb|320px|IBM RS/6000 N40 notebook (PowerPC 601, AIX 3.2.5 for N40). (Image: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0)]]
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The 7025 family โ€” F30, F40, F50, F80 โ€” is the early CHRP/PCI midrange tower.
The 7025 family โ€” F30, F40, F50, F80 โ€” is the early CHRP/PCI midrange tower.


* '''7025-F50''' โ€” PowerPC 604e, 1โ€“4-way SMP at 166 / 332 MHz; X5 cache system; 128 MB ECC SDRAM std, 3 GB max; 256 KB per-CPU 8-way associative ECC L2.<ref>https://public.dhe.ibm.com/software/mktsupport/techdocs/f80whitepaper.pdf</ref><ref>https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/ibm-rs-6000-type-7025-f50</ref>
* '''7025-F50''' โ€” PowerPC 604e, 1โ€“4-way SMP at 166 / 332 MHz; X5 cache system; 128 MB ECC SDRAM std, 3 GB max; 256 KB per-CPU 8-way associative ECC L2.<ref name="s44138d">[https://public.dhe.ibm.com/software/mktsupport/techdocs/f80whitepaper.pdf IBM public document server &mdash; f80whitepaper]</ref><ref name="s31fffd">[https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/ibm-rs-6000-type-7025-f50 TheRetroWeb &mdash; ibm rs 6000 type 7025 f50] Community board database.</ref>
* '''7025-F80''' โ€” 64-bit RS64-III at 450 / 500 MHz (copper CMOS 7S), 1โ€“6 way SMP, up to 16 GB ECC RAM, 128 KB L1-I + 128 KB L1-D, DDR SRAM L2. F50 owners can serial-upgrade to F80 by replacing processor cards.<ref>https://public.dhe.ibm.com/software/mktsupport/techdocs/f80whitepaper.pdf</ref>
* '''7025-F80''' โ€” 64-bit RS64-III at 450 / 500 MHz (copper CMOS 7S), 1โ€“6 way SMP, up to 16 GB ECC RAM, 128 KB L1-I + 128 KB L1-D, DDR SRAM L2. F50 owners can serial-upgrade to F80 by replacing processor cards.<ref name="s44138d" />


=== 7026 (PCI rack midrange) ===
=== 7026 (PCI rack midrange) ===


* '''7026-H50''' โ€” 64-bit RS64-II at 340 MHz, 1โ€“4 way; chassis 350 ร— 443 ร— 844 mm.<ref>http://ps-2.kev009.com/rs6000/redbook-cd/sg245143.pdf</ref>
* '''7026-H50''' โ€” 64-bit RS64-II at 340 MHz, 1โ€“4 way; chassis 350 ร— 443 ร— 844 mm.<ref name="s5f7dc6">[http://ps-2.kev009.com/rs6000/redbook-cd/sg245143.pdf kev009.com โ€” IBM PS/2 and PC document mirror &mdash; sg245143]</ref>
* '''7026-H70''' โ€” 64-bit RS64-III, 1/2/4-way at 450 MHz, 6-way at 500 MHz; 8 EIA U rack; 750 W PSU (FC 6290).<ref>https://www.amazon.com/IBM-6000-7026-H70-POWER-SUPPLY/dp/B000MRECHI</ref>
* '''7026-H70''' โ€” 64-bit RS64-III, 1/2/4-way at 450 MHz, 6-way at 500 MHz; 8 EIA U rack; 750 W PSU (FC 6290).<ref name="s5a71b0">[https://www.amazon.com/IBM-6000-7026-H70-POWER-SUPPLY/dp/B000MRECHI Amazon listing &mdash; B000MRECHI] A retail listing, used only to establish that the part exists and its rating. Not a technical source.</ref>
* '''7026-H80''' โ€” RS64-III, 1/2/4-way at 450 MHz, 6-way at 500 MHz; CEC drawer 218 ร— 445 mm, 5 EIA U; hot-swap 9.1/18.2/36.4 GB Ultra3 SCSI/SSA drives; 10 PCI buses with 10 ร— 64-bit slots.
* '''7026-H80''' โ€” RS64-III, 1/2/4-way at 450 MHz, 6-way at 500 MHz; CEC drawer 218 ร— 445 mm, 5 EIA U; hot-swap 9.1/18.2/36.4 GB Ultra3 SCSI/SSA drives; 10 PCI buses with 10 ร— 64-bit slots.


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* '''7043-140''' โ€” PowerPC 604e at 160 / 200 / 233 / 332 MHz; 128 MB std, 1 GB max; 64-bit ECC DIMMs.
* '''7043-140''' โ€” PowerPC 604e at 160 / 200 / 233 / 332 MHz; 128 MB std, 1 GB max; 64-bit ECC DIMMs.
* '''7043-150''' โ€” PowerPC 604e at 375 MHz (some 250 MHz units exist), 1 MB L2; 512 MB SDRAM std (1 GB max); 9 GB SCSI std; 10/100 Ethernet; GXT 2000P video; ships with AIX 5L. Most common RS/6000 ever made.<ref>https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ibm-rs-6000-43p-150-type-7043-150-1786561961</ref><ref>https://unixhq.com/systems/ibm-7043-150/</ref><ref>http://www.ibmfiles.com/pages/rs6000type7043150.htm</ref>
* '''7043-150''' โ€” PowerPC 604e at 375 MHz (some 250 MHz units exist), 1 MB L2; 512 MB SDRAM std (1 GB max); 9 GB SCSI std; 10/100 Ethernet; GXT 2000P video; ships with AIX 5L. Most common RS/6000 ever made.<ref name="sfc47b2">[https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ibm-rs-6000-43p-150-type-7043-150-1786561961 WorthPoint listing archive &mdash; ibm rs 6000 43p 150 type 7043 150 1786561961] An auction-listing archive, used only for what was printed on a label or box. Not a technical source.</ref><ref name="s20b2e7">[https://unixhq.com/systems/ibm-7043-150/ UNIXHQ &mdash; ibm 7043 150]</ref><ref name="sd5cc6f">[http://www.ibmfiles.com/pages/rs6000type7043150.htm ibmfiles.com &mdash; rs6000type7043150]</ref>
* '''7043-240''' โ€” service guide SA38-0512 covers this and the rest of the 7043 family.<ref>https://sharktastica.co.uk/resources/docs/IBM_SA38-0512-03_RS6000_98_4.pdf</ref>
* '''7043-240''' โ€” service guide SA38-0512 covers this and the rest of the 7043 family.<ref name="s62b7dc">[https://sharktastica.co.uk/resources/docs/IBM_SA38-0512-03_RS6000_98_4.pdf sharktastica.co.uk &mdash; IBM SA38 0512 03 RS6000 98 4]</ref>
* '''7043-260''' โ€” 200 MHz POWER3, 64 KB L1-D / 32 KB L1-I, 4 MB L2; 256 MB SDRAM base, 4 GB max via two memory cards ร— 16 DIMMs; five PCI slots (three 32-bit, two 64-bit); deskside tower.<ref>https://www.drdobbs.com/ibms-rs6000-43p-model-260/199200782</ref><ref>http://ps-2.kev009.com/rs6000/redbook-cd/sg245144.pdf</ref>
* '''7043-260''' โ€” 200 MHz POWER3, 64 KB L1-D / 32 KB L1-I, 4 MB L2; 256 MB SDRAM base, 4 GB max via two memory cards ร— 16 DIMMs; five PCI slots (three 32-bit, two 64-bit); deskside tower.<ref name="s35caed">[https://www.drdobbs.com/ibms-rs6000-43p-model-260/199200782 Dr. Dobb's &mdash; ibms rs6000 43p model 260 199200782]</ref><ref name="s4ae9b7">[http://ps-2.kev009.com/rs6000/redbook-cd/sg245144.pdf kev009.com โ€” IBM PS/2 and PC document mirror &mdash; sg245144]</ref>


=== 7044 (POWER3-II workstation) ===
=== 7044 (POWER3-II workstation) ===


* '''7044-170''' โ€” POWER3 (single-CPU), 200 MHz; PCI workstation.
* '''7044-170''' โ€” POWER3 (single-CPU), 200 MHz; PCI workstation.
* '''7044-270''' โ€” up to two 64-bit POWER3-II at 333 / 375 / 450 MHz; copper CMOS 7S; private 32-byte L2 bus at 250 MHz; 256 MB std SDRAM, 8 GB max; Ultra SCSI internal, Ultra2 SCSI external; integrated 10/100 Ethernet (AUI + RJ45); deskside 340 ร— 713 ร— 610 mm, 45 kg max.<ref>https://public.dhe.ibm.com/software/mktsupport/techdocs/44p270wp.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.ibmfiles.com/pages/rs6000type7044.htm</ref>
* '''7044-270''' โ€” up to two 64-bit POWER3-II at 333 / 375 / 450 MHz; copper CMOS 7S; private 32-byte L2 bus at 250 MHz; 256 MB std SDRAM, 8 GB max; Ultra SCSI internal, Ultra2 SCSI external; integrated 10/100 Ethernet (AUI + RJ45); deskside 340 ร— 713 ร— 610 mm, 45 kg max.<ref name="s6fe2c9">[https://public.dhe.ibm.com/software/mktsupport/techdocs/44p270wp.pdf IBM public document server &mdash; 44p270wp]</ref><ref name="s4b05e6">[http://www.ibmfiles.com/pages/rs6000type7044.htm ibmfiles.com &mdash; rs6000type7044]</ref>


<gallery widths="220" heights="160" mode="packed">
<gallery widths="220" heights="160" mode="packed">
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The 7248 is the small PReP-compliant 43P workstation โ€” a transitional design bridging Micro Channel POWER1/POWER2 and pure-PCI CHRP RS/6000s.
The 7248 is the small PReP-compliant 43P workstation โ€” a transitional design bridging Micro Channel POWER1/POWER2 and pure-PCI CHRP RS/6000s.


* '''7248-100''' โ€” 100 MHz PowerPC 604, 256 KB L2 cache; PReP architecture, "Carolina" motherboard; integrated NCR 53c810 SCSI-2, IDE controller, AMD PCnet32 Ethernet, IBM E15 2 MB graphics (S3 Vision864 chip), Crystal CS4232 audio; 16 MB โ€“ 192 MB RAM; three ISA and two PCI slots; SPECint92 128.1, SPECfp92 120.2.<ref>https://web-docs.gsi.de/~kraemer/COLLECTION/IBM/rs6k43p7248.html</ref><ref>https://tldp.org/HOWTO/IBM7248-HOWTO/overview.html</ref>
* '''7248-100''' โ€” 100 MHz PowerPC 604, 256 KB L2 cache; PReP architecture, "Carolina" motherboard; integrated NCR 53c810 SCSI-2, IDE controller, AMD PCnet32 Ethernet, IBM E15 2 MB graphics (S3 Vision864 chip), Crystal CS4232 audio; 16 MB โ€“ 192 MB RAM; three ISA and two PCI slots; SPECint92 128.1, SPECfp92 120.2.<ref name="s751eed">[https://web-docs.gsi.de/~kraemer/COLLECTION/IBM/rs6k43p7248.html GSI web-docs mirror &mdash; rs6k43p7248]</ref><ref name="s7b9a18">[https://tldp.org/HOWTO/IBM7248-HOWTO/overview.html The Linux Documentation Project &mdash; overview]</ref>
* '''7248-120 / 133''' โ€” same chassis with 120 MHz and 133 MHz PowerPC 604.<ref>https://www.memorystock.com/memory/IBMRS6000Model43P7248100120133.html</ref>
* '''7248-120 / 133''' โ€” same chassis with 120 MHz and 133 MHz PowerPC 604.<ref name="s640078">[https://www.memorystock.com/memory/IBMRS6000Model43P7248100120133.html MemoryStock &mdash; IBMRS6000Model43P7248100120133]</ref>


<gallery widths="220" heights="160" mode="packed">
<gallery widths="220" heights="160" mode="packed">
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* Early MCA RS/6000s (7011, 7012, 7013, 7015) use proprietary IBM 40-bit ECC SIMM cards (not PC parity SIMMs).
* Early MCA RS/6000s (7011, 7012, 7013, 7015) use proprietary IBM 40-bit ECC SIMM cards (not PC parity SIMMs).
* POWER2 systems (7012-39H, 7013-590, 7012-397) require memory installed in '''pairs''' due to the MCM memory subsystem.<ref>https://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/printableversion.wss?docURL=/common/ssi/rep_sm/h/897/ENUS7012-39H/index.html</ref>
* POWER2 systems (7012-39H, 7013-590, 7012-397) require memory installed in '''pairs''' due to the MCM memory subsystem.<ref name="s8f02ef" />
* 7025-F50 / F80 use ECC SDRAM DIMMs on proprietary memory carrier cards.
* 7025-F50 / F80 use ECC SDRAM DIMMs on proprietary memory carrier cards.
* 7043-150 uses high-density ECC SDRAM up to 1 GB; 7044-270 expandable to 8 GB SDRAM ECC.<ref>https://public.dhe.ibm.com/software/mktsupport/techdocs/44p270wp.pdf</ref>
* 7043-150 uses high-density ECC SDRAM up to 1 GB; 7044-270 expandable to 8 GB SDRAM ECC.<ref name="s6fe2c9" />


'''All RS/6000 memory is ECC''' (single-bit correct, double-bit detect) โ€” IBM did not ship parity-only memory in the RS/6000 line.
'''All RS/6000 memory is ECC''' (single-bit correct, double-bit detect) โ€” IBM did not ship parity-only memory in the RS/6000 line.
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* '''Early MCA''' (7011 / 7012 / 7013 / 7015): SCSI-2 on the planar; SSA (Serial Storage Architecture) on later POWER2 deskside / rack systems.
* '''Early MCA''' (7011 / 7012 / 7013 / 7015): SCSI-2 on the planar; SSA (Serial Storage Architecture) on later POWER2 deskside / rack systems.
* '''PReP''' (7248): NCR 53c810 SCSI-2 on the Carolina board, plus an IDE controller โ€” IDE/ATA was rare on RS/6000 and appeared '''only''' on these small PReP boxes.<ref>https://web-docs.gsi.de/~kraemer/COLLECTION/IBM/rs6k43p7248.html</ref>
* '''PReP''' (7248): NCR 53c810 SCSI-2 on the Carolina board, plus an IDE controller โ€” IDE/ATA was rare on RS/6000 and appeared '''only''' on these small PReP boxes.<ref name="s751eed" />
* '''CHRP / PCI''' (7025 / 7026 / 7043 / 7044): SCSI-2 โ†’ UltraSCSI โ†’ Ultra2 โ†’ Ultra3; SSA on H-series and F-series; SCSI CD-ROM and 1.44 MB floppy stock on 7043-150.<ref>https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ibm-rs-6000-43p-150-type-7043-150-1786561961</ref>
* '''CHRP / PCI''' (7025 / 7026 / 7043 / 7044): SCSI-2 โ†’ UltraSCSI โ†’ Ultra2 โ†’ Ultra3; SSA on H-series and F-series; SCSI CD-ROM and 1.44 MB floppy stock on 7043-150.<ref name="sfc47b2" />


== Graphics ==
== Graphics ==
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* '''GXT800P''' (FC 2853/2859) โ€” high-end 3D PCI.
* '''GXT800P''' (FC 2853/2859) โ€” high-end 3D PCI.
* '''GXT2000P''' โ€” mid-range 3D, double-wide PCI.
* '''GXT2000P''' โ€” mid-range 3D, double-wide PCI.
* '''GXT3000P''' (FC 008E, IBM P/N 41L5754) โ€” mid-range 3D, double-wide, 64-bit or 32-bit PCI; supported on AIX 4.3.2.<ref>http://ps-2.kev009.com/rs6000/rs6000_ps_pdf/Graphics/GXT3000P.pdf</ref>
* '''GXT3000P''' (FC 008E, IBM P/N 41L5754) โ€” mid-range 3D, double-wide, 64-bit or 32-bit PCI; supported on AIX 4.3.2.<ref name="s5d14f9">[http://ps-2.kev009.com/rs6000/rs6000_ps_pdf/Graphics/GXT3000P.pdf kev009.com โ€” IBM PS/2 and PC document mirror &mdash; GXT3000P]</ref>
* '''7248-100''' has integrated IBM E15 2 MB graphics (S3 Vision864 chip) โ€” only RS/6000 with integrated planar VGA.<ref>https://web-docs.gsi.de/~kraemer/COLLECTION/IBM/rs6k43p7248.html</ref>
* '''7248-100''' has integrated IBM E15 2 MB graphics (S3 Vision864 chip) โ€” only RS/6000 with integrated planar VGA.<ref name="s751eed" />


Comprehensive reference: '''IBM RS/6000 Graphics Handbook SG24-5130'''.<ref>http://bitsavers.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/pdf/ibm/rs6000/SG24-5130-00_RS6000_Graphics_Handbook_199903.pdf</ref>
Comprehensive reference: '''IBM RS/6000 Graphics Handbook SG24-5130'''.<ref name="s5a4b61">[http://bitsavers.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/pdf/ibm/rs6000/SG24-5130-00_RS6000_Graphics_Handbook_199903.pdf Bitsavers (Stuttgart mirror) &mdash; SG24 5130 00 RS6000 Graphics Handbook 199903]</ref>


== Firmware ==
== Firmware ==


* '''Pre-PReP MCA RS/6000s''' (7011 / 7012 / 7013 / 7015): proprietary IBM RS/6000 boot ROM.
* '''Pre-PReP MCA RS/6000s''' (7011 / 7012 / 7013 / 7015): proprietary IBM RS/6000 boot ROM.
* '''7248-100 / 120 / 133''': '''PReP''' (PowerPC Reference Platform) firmware on the Carolina board.<ref>https://tldp.org/HOWTO/IBM7248-HOWTO/overview.html</ref>
* '''7248-100 / 120 / 133''': '''PReP''' (PowerPC Reference Platform) firmware on the Carolina board.<ref name="s7b9a18" />
* '''7043 / 7025 / 7026 / 7044''': '''CHRP'''-compliant '''[[Open Firmware]]'''.<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Hardware_Reference_Platform</ref>
* '''7043 / 7025 / 7026 / 7044''': '''CHRP'''-compliant '''[[Open Firmware]]'''.<ref name="s0433ce">[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Hardware_Reference_Platform Wikipedia &mdash; Common Hardware Reference Platform] Tertiary source.</ref>


'''SMS (System Management Services)''' is the user-facing setup utility on CHRP RS/6000s. Entry keys at POST:
'''SMS (System Management Services)''' is the user-facing setup utility on CHRP RS/6000s. Entry keys at POST:
Line 238: Line 238:
* '''F1''' โ€” graphical SMS (at the keyboard icon).
* '''F1''' โ€” graphical SMS (at the keyboard icon).
* '''F4''' โ€” text-mode SMS (English).
* '''F4''' โ€” text-mode SMS (English).
* '''F5''' โ€” boot from the default boot list (or '''5''' on an ASCII terminal). Applies to machine types 7017, 7024, 7025, 7026, 7043, 7137.<ref>https://www.infania.net/misc/rs6000-firmware/7043140I.html</ref><ref>http://ps-2.kev009.com/tl/techlib/qna/faxes/html/krn/krn4.htm</ref>
* '''F5''' โ€” boot from the default boot list (or '''5''' on an ASCII terminal). Applies to machine types 7017, 7024, 7025, 7026, 7043, 7137.<ref name="sf478b3">[https://www.infania.net/misc/rs6000-firmware/7043140I.html infania.net IBM mirror &mdash; 7043140I]</ref><ref name="s344a1d">[http://ps-2.kev009.com/tl/techlib/qna/faxes/html/krn/krn4.htm kev009.com โ€” IBM PS/2 and PC document mirror &mdash; krn4]</ref>


Many RS/6000 / pSeries machines carry a separate '''service processor''' that boots on power application and runs independently of AIX โ€” it is responsible for the LED diagnostic display and for emergency dump on a kernel halt.
Many RS/6000 / pSeries machines carry a separate '''service processor''' that boots on power application and runs independently of AIX โ€” it is responsible for the LED diagnostic display and for emergency dump on a kernel halt.
Line 246: Line 246:
* '''AIX 3.x''' โ€” original OS for 1990 launch machines (7012-320, 7013-530, 7015-920).
* '''AIX 3.x''' โ€” original OS for 1990 launch machines (7012-320, 7013-530, 7015-920).
* '''AIX 4.x''' (introduced 1994) โ€” adds SMP; runs on PowerPC 601 / 604 / 604e RS/6000s; final AIX 4.3.3 (1999).
* '''AIX 4.x''' (introduced 1994) โ€” adds SMP; runs on PowerPC 601 / 604 / 604e RS/6000s; final AIX 4.3.3 (1999).
* '''AIX 4.3.2''' โ€” first 64-bit AIX, required for POWER3 7043-260.<ref>https://www.drdobbs.com/ibms-rs6000-43p-model-260/199200782</ref>
* '''AIX 4.3.2''' โ€” first 64-bit AIX, required for POWER3 7043-260.<ref name="s35caed" />
* '''AIX 5L''' (2001+) โ€” runs on most PCI RS/6000s. 7043-150 is documented as a good 5L platform.<ref>https://unixhq.com/systems/ibm-7043-150/</ref>
* '''AIX 5L''' (2001+) โ€” runs on most PCI RS/6000s. 7043-150 is documented as a good 5L platform.<ref name="s20b2e7" />
* '''AIX for N40 3.2.5''' โ€” special build for the 7020 / 7007-N40 notebook.<ref>http://www.ibmfiles.com/pages/rs6000n40.htm</ref>
* '''AIX for N40 3.2.5''' โ€” special build for the 7020 / 7007-N40 notebook.<ref name="se8a90e" />


IBM publishes per-machine "System software map" pages giving the exact AIX levels supported per submodel โ€” useful when restoring a specific RS/6000.
IBM publishes per-machine "System software map" pages giving the exact AIX levels supported per submodel โ€” useful when restoring a specific RS/6000.
Line 258: Line 258:
* '''NVRAM module battery dead''' โ€” Dallas TimeKeeper modules (DS1287 / DS1385 / DS1387 / DS1644 / DS1742 / DS1746) on the planar lose their internal lithium cell after 10โ€“20 years. Symptoms: lost SMS / NVRAM configuration, boot list reset, clock at epoch.
* '''NVRAM module battery dead''' โ€” Dallas TimeKeeper modules (DS1287 / DS1385 / DS1387 / DS1644 / DS1742 / DS1746) on the planar lose their internal lithium cell after 10โ€“20 years. Symptoms: lost SMS / NVRAM configuration, boot list reset, clock at epoch.
* '''Capacitor leakage''' โ€” particularly on POWER1 / POWER2 era 7012 / 7013 planars (surface-mount aluminium electrolytics, similar generation to the [[IBM PS/2 Model 70]] / [[IBM PS/2 Model 80|80]] PS/2 plague).
* '''Capacitor leakage''' โ€” particularly on POWER1 / POWER2 era 7012 / 7013 planars (surface-mount aluminium electrolytics, similar generation to the [[IBM PS/2 Model 70]] / [[IBM PS/2 Model 80|80]] PS/2 plague).
* '''PSU electrolytics aged''' โ€” particularly on the 7013 500-series PSU, which will refuse to stay on if it doesn't sense fan rotation (fan failure presents as PSU failure).<ref>https://www.ardent-tool.com/RS6000/docs/pdf/38053100.pdf</ref>
* '''PSU electrolytics aged''' โ€” particularly on the 7013 500-series PSU, which will refuse to stay on if it doesn't sense fan rotation (fan failure presents as PSU failure).<ref name="sd0c051" />
* '''SCSI drive stiction''' โ€” original IBM SCSI drives in long-stored systems will not spin up.
* '''SCSI drive stiction''' โ€” original IBM SCSI drives in long-stored systems will not spin up.
* '''Memory card failure''' โ€” POWER2 MCMs are intolerant of single-bit ECC errors after extended operation; ECC scrubbing eventually fails.
* '''Memory card failure''' โ€” POWER2 MCMs are intolerant of single-bit ECC errors after extended operation; ECC scrubbing eventually fails.
Line 283: Line 283:


== References ==
== References ==
<references />
=== Further reading ===


* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_RS/6000 IBM RS/6000 โ€” Wikipedia]. Family overview, machine-type lineage, brand retirement October 2000.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_RS/6000 IBM RS/6000 โ€” Wikipedia]. Family overview, machine-type lineage, brand retirement October 2000.

Revision as of 22:20, 24 September 2026

IBM RISC System/6000 (RS/6000)
IBM RS/6000 POWERstation 320 (machine type 7012-320, 1990 POWER1 desktop)
Specifications
DeveloperIBM Austin Research Lab
ManufacturerIBM
TypeRISC UNIX workstation and server family
ReleasedFebruary 15, 1990 (initial 7012-320, 7013-530, 7015-920 launch)
DiscontinuedBrand retired October 2000 (replaced by IBM eServer pSeries)
CPUIBM POWER1 (multi-chip RIOS); POWER1 single-chip RSC; POWER2 8-chip MCM; POWER2 Super Chip (P2SC); PowerPC 601, 604, 604e; IBM POWER3, POWER3-II; RS64-II, RS64-III
MemoryProprietary IBM ECC SIMMs / DIMMs depending on submodel (8 MB to 16 GB, machine-type dependent)
StorageSCSI-2 / Fast/Wide SCSI / UltraSCSI / Ultra2 / Ultra3; SSA (Serial Storage Architecture); IDE on 7248 PReP boxes only
DisplayIBM POWER GXT graphics adapter family (GXT110P, GXT250P, GXT255P, GXT500P, GXT800P, GXT2000P, GXT3000P); integrated S3 Vision864 on 7248
SoundCrystal CS4232 audio on 7248; no audio on most other RS/6000s (server-class)
OS / FirmwareIBM AIX 3.x / 4.x / 5L; Linux on PowerPC RS/6000 (Yellow Dog Linux, Debian PowerPC); OS/400 not supported
PredecessorIBM RT PC (RT, PC/RT)
SuccessorIBM eServer pSeries (later IBM Power Systems)
Model no.7011, 7012, 7013, 7015, 7020, 7024, 7025, 7026, 7043, 7044, 7046, 7248

The IBM RISC System/6000 (almost always written RS/6000) is a family of RISC-based UNIX workstations, servers and high-end supercomputing systems introduced by IBM on February 15, 1990. The RS/6000 was the first computer line to use IBM's POWER architecture and later its successor PowerPC, and replaced the earlier IBM RT PC platform.[1][2] The RS/6000 brand was retired in October 2000 in favour of the new IBM eServer pSeries name; the underlying machine-type numbers continued in service for years afterward.[1]

The initial February 1990 launch included three machines: the desktop 7012-320 POWERstation, the deskside 7013-530 POWERserver and the rack 7015-920 enterprise system, all running a multi-chip POWER1 implementation (codenamed "RIOS") at 20 MHz under AIX 3.x.[2] The RS/6000 line grew rapidly to encompass over a dozen machine-type families, ranging from the 9-kg notebook (7020-N40) to the multi-frame 7015 R50 supercomputers, and pioneered the use of out-of-order, super-scalar RISC microarchitecture in commercial computing.

The internal name for the POWER1 chip research was "America"; the systems built around that chip were collectively "RIOS".[2] POWER stands for Performance Optimization With Enhanced RISC.

Architecture Eras

The RS/6000 family spans three quite distinct hardware generations:

  1. POWER1 / POWER2 Micro Channel era (1990โ€“1996) โ€” multi-chip POWER1 and POWER2 modules on a Micro Channel bus inherited from the IBM PS/2 Model 80. Machine types 7011, 7012, 7013, 7015. AIX 3.x and 4.x.
  2. PReP / early PCI era (1995โ€“1997) โ€” PowerPC 601 / 604 / 604e on a PReP-compliant ISA + PCI motherboard ("Carolina" board). Machine type 7248. Bridges Micro Channel and pure-PCI families.
  3. CHRP / PCI era (1996โ€“2000) โ€” PowerPC 604e, POWER3, RS64-II / RS64-III on pure PCI / PCI-X with Open Firmware and the Common Hardware Reference Platform (CHRP) firmware. Machine types 7025, 7026, 7043, 7044. AIX 4.3.x and AIX 5L.

The Micro Channel and PReP eras both use proprietary IBM expansion buses and proprietary IBM memory. CHRP-era RS/6000s use standard PCI / PCI-X cards but still use IBM-specific (and rather scarce) ECC SDRAM DIMMs.

IBM POWER2 multi-chip module โ€” the 8-chip ceramic carrier used in 7012-39H / 7012-397 / 7013-58H / 580 / 590 / 591 / 595. (Image: Wikimedia Commons, CC0)

CPU Families

RS/6000 CPU implementations
CPU Implementation Years RS/6000 use
POWER1 (RIOS) 7โ€“9 chip MCM 1990โ€“ 7012-320 / 340; 7013-520 / 530 / 540 / 550; 7015-930 / 950
POWER1 (RSC) Single chip 1992โ€“ 7011-220 / 230
POWER2 8-chip MCM, CMOS-5 Sep 1993โ€“ 7012-380 / 390 / 39H; 7013-58H / 580 / 590 / 591; 7015-R10 / R20 / R24
P2SC (POWER2 Super Chip) Single die, CMOS-6S, 15 M transistors Oct 1996โ€“ 7012-397 (160 MHz); 7013-595 (135 MHz)
PowerPC 601 Single chip, 0.6 ยตm CMOS Sep 1993โ€“ 7011-250 (66 MHz); 7020 / 7007-N40 notebook (50 MHz)
PowerPC 604 Single chip 1995โ€“ 7248-100 (100 MHz)
PowerPC 604e Single chip 1996โ€“ 7043-140 / 150; 7025-F30 / F40 / F50; 7248-120 / 133
IBM POWER3 64-bit, CMOS 7S 1998โ€“ 7043-260 (200 MHz)
POWER3-II 64-bit, CMOS 7S copper interconnect 1999โ€“ 7044-170 / 270 (333 / 375 / 450 MHz)
RS64-II "Northstar" 64-bit, CMOS 6S 1998โ€“ 7026-H50 (340 MHz)
RS64-III "Pulsar" 64-bit, CMOS 7S copper 1999โ€“ 7025-F80; 7026-H70 / H80 (450 / 500 MHz)

The MCM-based POWER1 and POWER2 use one large ceramic module with several dies for the integer unit, floating-point unit, instruction cache, data cache, and storage control. The P2SC of 1996 collapses the POWER2 MCM into a single die.[3][4]

  • PowerPC 601 โ€” 7011-250 and N40 notebook
    PowerPC 601 โ€” 7011-250 and N40 notebook
  • PowerPC 604e โ€” 7043-140 / 150, 7025-F50, 7248-120 / 133
    PowerPC 604e โ€” 7043-140 / 150, 7025-F50, 7248-120 / 133

Machine Type Families

7011 (entry desktop)

7011 submodels
Submodel CPU Speed Year Notes
7011-220 POWER1 (RSC) 33 MHz Jan 1992 Entry desktop, single-chip RSC, max 64 MB RAM, up to 2 GB SCSI
7011-230 POWER1 (RSC) 45 MHz 1993 Faster 220-class desktop
7011-250 PowerPC 601 66 MHz Sep 1993 First RS/6000 with PowerPC 601 โ€” single-chip 0.6 ยตm RISC

The 7011 chassis is a low-profile "pizza-box" desktop, 84 ร— 406 ร— 419 mm, 9.0โ€“11.5 kg.[5][6]

7012 (POWERstation / POWERserver deskside)

The 7012 is the deskside POWER1 / POWER2 mainstream. Key submodels:

7012 submodels (selected)
Submodel CPU Speed Notes
7012-320 / 320H POWER1 (RIOS) 20 / 25 MHz February 1990 launch desktop; 16 MB std, 128 MB max
7012-340 / 340H POWER1 (RIOS) 33 MHz Desktop counterpart to 7013-530H
7012-350 / 360 / 370 / 380 / 390 POWER1 / POWER2 41โ€“67 MHz September 1993 POWER2 upgrade
7012-39H POWER2 8-chip MCM 67 MHz Feb 17 1995 โ€“ Jan 30 1998; 32 KB I-cache, 128 KB D-cache, optional 1/2 MB L2; 64 MB โ€“ 512 MB ECC RAM in pairs; four Micro Channel slots; integrated SCSI-2 Fast/Wide and Ethernet
7012-397 P2SC 160 MHz 32 KB L1-I + 64/128 KB L1-D; 128 MB base, 1 GB max; 2.56 GB/s memory bandwidth; 80 MB/s MCA data streaming

[7][4][8]

IBM RS/6000 POWERstation 320 (7012-320) โ€” launch model of February 1990. (Image: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0)

7013 (POWERserver deskside / mid-rack)

The 7013 is the larger deskside (and small rack) family. The 7013-530 launched alongside the 7012-320 in February 1990.

7013 submodels (selected)
Submodel CPU Speed Notes
7013-530 POWER1 (RIOS) 20 MHz February 1990 launch deskside
7013-540 POWER1 (RIOS) 30 MHz 1991 deskside
7013-580 / 58H POWER2 55โ€“67 MHz POWER2 deskside, service guide SA38-0531
7013-590 POWER2 66 MHz GA Sep 21 1993, EOM Sep 24 1997; first RS/6000 on 32-bit POWER2; 610 ร— 360 ร— 675 mm, 36.7โ€“53.1 kg
7013-591 POWER2 77 MHz Faster 590-class
7013-595 P2SC 135 MHz Announced October 1996; first system using P2SC, the 32-bit POWER2 Super Chip โ€” 15 million transistors, single-die CMOS-6S

[9][10]

IBM RS/6000 7013 deskside (POWER2 era). (Image: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0)

7015 (large rack)

The 7015 is the large rack enterprise family โ€” full-frame servers with up to 32 GB ECC RAM and multiple CPU drawers.

Lineup includes 930, 950, 970, 980, 990, R10, R20, R21, R24, R30, R40, R50.[11] R10 uses POWER1; R20 / R24 use POWER2 (introduced September 1993). R10 / R20 / R21 CPU drawer is 267 ร— 446 ร— 610 mm, โ‰ฅ30.3 kg, 0.29 kVA typical, 200โ€“240 V. R24 is 446 ร— 446 ร— 710 mm, โ‰ฅ51.3 kg, 0.685 kVA, 200โ€“240 V or โˆ’48 V DC. R30 / R40 / R50 are 267 ร— 446 ร— 925 mm, โ‰ฅ59.7 kg.

7020 / N40 (notebook)

The 7020 / 7007-N40 is the first PowerPC notebook released by IBM, co-developed with Tadpole Computer. Announced March 1994; sales started October 1994; discontinued 1995.[12][13] Specifications: 50 MHz PowerPC 601, 32 KB unified L1 cache, 16โ€“64 MB RAM, 9.4โ€ณ TFT, PCMCIA. Runs a special "AIX for N40" 3.2.5 build with custom modem, SCSI, PCMCIA and Token Ring drivers.[14]

IBM RS/6000 N40 notebook (PowerPC 601, AIX 3.2.5 for N40). (Image: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0)

7025 (PCI midrange tower)

The 7025 family โ€” F30, F40, F50, F80 โ€” is the early CHRP/PCI midrange tower.

  • 7025-F50 โ€” PowerPC 604e, 1โ€“4-way SMP at 166 / 332 MHz; X5 cache system; 128 MB ECC SDRAM std, 3 GB max; 256 KB per-CPU 8-way associative ECC L2.[15][16]
  • 7025-F80 โ€” 64-bit RS64-III at 450 / 500 MHz (copper CMOS 7S), 1โ€“6 way SMP, up to 16 GB ECC RAM, 128 KB L1-I + 128 KB L1-D, DDR SRAM L2. F50 owners can serial-upgrade to F80 by replacing processor cards.[15]

7026 (PCI rack midrange)

  • 7026-H50 โ€” 64-bit RS64-II at 340 MHz, 1โ€“4 way; chassis 350 ร— 443 ร— 844 mm.[17]
  • 7026-H70 โ€” 64-bit RS64-III, 1/2/4-way at 450 MHz, 6-way at 500 MHz; 8 EIA U rack; 750 W PSU (FC 6290).[18]
  • 7026-H80 โ€” RS64-III, 1/2/4-way at 450 MHz, 6-way at 500 MHz; CEC drawer 218 ร— 445 mm, 5 EIA U; hot-swap 9.1/18.2/36.4 GB Ultra3 SCSI/SSA drives; 10 PCI buses with 10 ร— 64-bit slots.
IBM RS/6000 H70 rack server (7026-H70, RS64-III). (Image: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

7043 (43P desktop / deskside, PCI)

The 7043 "43P" is the most common RS/6000 in collector hands. PowerPC 604e and POWER3 era, all-PCI.

  • 7043-140 โ€” PowerPC 604e at 160 / 200 / 233 / 332 MHz; 128 MB std, 1 GB max; 64-bit ECC DIMMs.
  • 7043-150 โ€” PowerPC 604e at 375 MHz (some 250 MHz units exist), 1 MB L2; 512 MB SDRAM std (1 GB max); 9 GB SCSI std; 10/100 Ethernet; GXT 2000P video; ships with AIX 5L. Most common RS/6000 ever made.[19][20][21]
  • 7043-240 โ€” service guide SA38-0512 covers this and the rest of the 7043 family.[22]
  • 7043-260 โ€” 200 MHz POWER3, 64 KB L1-D / 32 KB L1-I, 4 MB L2; 256 MB SDRAM base, 4 GB max via two memory cards ร— 16 DIMMs; five PCI slots (three 32-bit, two 64-bit); deskside tower.[23][24]

7044 (POWER3-II workstation)

  • 7044-170 โ€” POWER3 (single-CPU), 200 MHz; PCI workstation.
  • 7044-270 โ€” up to two 64-bit POWER3-II at 333 / 375 / 450 MHz; copper CMOS 7S; private 32-byte L2 bus at 250 MHz; 256 MB std SDRAM, 8 GB max; Ultra SCSI internal, Ultra2 SCSI external; integrated 10/100 Ethernet (AUI + RJ45); deskside 340 ร— 713 ร— 610 mm, 45 kg max.[25][26]
  • 7044-170 workstation (POWER3, 200 MHz)
    7044-170 workstation (POWER3, 200 MHz)
  • 7044-270 workstation (POWER3-II, dual-CPU up to 450 MHz)
    7044-270 workstation (POWER3-II, dual-CPU up to 450 MHz)

7248 (PReP "Carolina" workstation)

The 7248 is the small PReP-compliant 43P workstation โ€” a transitional design bridging Micro Channel POWER1/POWER2 and pure-PCI CHRP RS/6000s.

  • 7248-100 โ€” 100 MHz PowerPC 604, 256 KB L2 cache; PReP architecture, "Carolina" motherboard; integrated NCR 53c810 SCSI-2, IDE controller, AMD PCnet32 Ethernet, IBM E15 2 MB graphics (S3 Vision864 chip), Crystal CS4232 audio; 16 MB โ€“ 192 MB RAM; three ISA and two PCI slots; SPECint92 128.1, SPECfp92 120.2.[27][28]
  • 7248-120 / 133 โ€” same chassis with 120 MHz and 133 MHz PowerPC 604.[29]
  • 7248-100 in IBM Austin labs (PReP / Carolina board)
    7248-100 in IBM Austin labs (PReP / Carolina board)
  • 7248-100 front panel
    7248-100 front panel
  • Carolina board โ€” PowerPC 604, PCI + ISA, NCR 53c810 SCSI
    Carolina board โ€” PowerPC 604, PCI + ISA, NCR 53c810 SCSI

Memory

Most RS/6000 systems use proprietary IBM memory that is not interchangeable with PC SIMMs/DIMMs:

  • Early MCA RS/6000s (7011, 7012, 7013, 7015) use proprietary IBM 40-bit ECC SIMM cards (not PC parity SIMMs).
  • POWER2 systems (7012-39H, 7013-590, 7012-397) require memory installed in pairs due to the MCM memory subsystem.[7]
  • 7025-F50 / F80 use ECC SDRAM DIMMs on proprietary memory carrier cards.
  • 7043-150 uses high-density ECC SDRAM up to 1 GB; 7044-270 expandable to 8 GB SDRAM ECC.[25]

All RS/6000 memory is ECC (single-bit correct, double-bit detect) โ€” IBM did not ship parity-only memory in the RS/6000 line.

Storage

  • Early MCA (7011 / 7012 / 7013 / 7015): SCSI-2 on the planar; SSA (Serial Storage Architecture) on later POWER2 deskside / rack systems.
  • PReP (7248): NCR 53c810 SCSI-2 on the Carolina board, plus an IDE controller โ€” IDE/ATA was rare on RS/6000 and appeared only on these small PReP boxes.[27]
  • CHRP / PCI (7025 / 7026 / 7043 / 7044): SCSI-2 โ†’ UltraSCSI โ†’ Ultra2 โ†’ Ultra3; SSA on H-series and F-series; SCSI CD-ROM and 1.44 MB floppy stock on 7043-150.[19]

Graphics

The IBM POWER GXT family is the dominant RS/6000 graphics line. Most are PCI on the 7043/7025/7026/7044 generation; earlier RS/6000s use Micro Channel variants.

  • GXT110P (FC 2839) โ€” 2D/3D entry PCI.
  • GXT250P / GXT255P โ€” 2D single-card PCI.
  • GXT800P (FC 2853/2859) โ€” high-end 3D PCI.
  • GXT2000P โ€” mid-range 3D, double-wide PCI.
  • GXT3000P (FC 008E, IBM P/N 41L5754) โ€” mid-range 3D, double-wide, 64-bit or 32-bit PCI; supported on AIX 4.3.2.[30]
  • 7248-100 has integrated IBM E15 2 MB graphics (S3 Vision864 chip) โ€” only RS/6000 with integrated planar VGA.[27]

Comprehensive reference: IBM RS/6000 Graphics Handbook SG24-5130.[31]

Firmware

  • Pre-PReP MCA RS/6000s (7011 / 7012 / 7013 / 7015): proprietary IBM RS/6000 boot ROM.
  • 7248-100 / 120 / 133: PReP (PowerPC Reference Platform) firmware on the Carolina board.[28]
  • 7043 / 7025 / 7026 / 7044: CHRP-compliant Open Firmware.[32]

SMS (System Management Services) is the user-facing setup utility on CHRP RS/6000s. Entry keys at POST:

  • F1 โ€” graphical SMS (at the keyboard icon).
  • F4 โ€” text-mode SMS (English).
  • F5 โ€” boot from the default boot list (or 5 on an ASCII terminal). Applies to machine types 7017, 7024, 7025, 7026, 7043, 7137.[33][34]

Many RS/6000 / pSeries machines carry a separate service processor that boots on power application and runs independently of AIX โ€” it is responsible for the LED diagnostic display and for emergency dump on a kernel halt.

AIX Support

  • AIX 3.x โ€” original OS for 1990 launch machines (7012-320, 7013-530, 7015-920).
  • AIX 4.x (introduced 1994) โ€” adds SMP; runs on PowerPC 601 / 604 / 604e RS/6000s; final AIX 4.3.3 (1999).
  • AIX 4.3.2 โ€” first 64-bit AIX, required for POWER3 7043-260.[23]
  • AIX 5L (2001+) โ€” runs on most PCI RS/6000s. 7043-150 is documented as a good 5L platform.[20]
  • AIX for N40 3.2.5 โ€” special build for the 7020 / 7007-N40 notebook.[12]

IBM publishes per-machine "System software map" pages giving the exact AIX levels supported per submodel โ€” useful when restoring a specific RS/6000.

Common Faults

The dominant restoration faults are:

  • NVRAM module battery dead โ€” Dallas TimeKeeper modules (DS1287 / DS1385 / DS1387 / DS1644 / DS1742 / DS1746) on the planar lose their internal lithium cell after 10โ€“20 years. Symptoms: lost SMS / NVRAM configuration, boot list reset, clock at epoch.
  • Capacitor leakage โ€” particularly on POWER1 / POWER2 era 7012 / 7013 planars (surface-mount aluminium electrolytics, similar generation to the IBM PS/2 Model 70 / 80 PS/2 plague).
  • PSU electrolytics aged โ€” particularly on the 7013 500-series PSU, which will refuse to stay on if it doesn't sense fan rotation (fan failure presents as PSU failure).[10]
  • SCSI drive stiction โ€” original IBM SCSI drives in long-stored systems will not spin up.
  • Memory card failure โ€” POWER2 MCMs are intolerant of single-bit ECC errors after extended operation; ECC scrubbing eventually fails.

Pricing

Launch pricing (1990, all USD):

  • 7012-320 POWERstation: from $13,000 (entry workstation config).
  • 7013-530 POWERserver: from $43,000.
  • 7015-930 enterprise: from $144,000.

These were enterprise-class prices reflecting the RISC workstation market of the early 1990s. By the late 1990s, 7043-150 desktops sold for ~$5,000โ€“$8,000 USD as base workstations.

References

  1. โ†‘ 1.0 1.1 Wikipedia — IBM RS/6000 Tertiary source.
  2. โ†‘ 2.0 2.1 2.2 kev009.com โ€” IBM PS/2 and PC document mirror — column risc
  3. โ†‘ kev009.com โ€” IBM PS/2 and PC document mirror — RS6K.arch
  4. โ†‘ 4.0 4.1 ardent-tool.com (Louis Ohland / Tomรกลก Slavotรญnek) — ENUS197 267
  5. โ†‘ GSI web-docs mirror — RISC System 6000 POWERstation POWERserver 250 series upgrades from 220 or 230 series and Pโ€ฆ
  6. โ†‘ pizzabox.computer blog — powerstation250
  7. โ†‘ 7.0 7.1 IBM (legacy support site) — printableversion.wss
  8. โ†‘ IBM Support — ShowDoc.wss
  9. โ†‘ IBM Support — node 7093162
  10. โ†‘ 10.0 10.1 ardent-tool.com (Louis Ohland / Tomรกลก Slavotรญnek) — 38053100
  11. โ†‘ kev009.com โ€” IBM PS/2 and PC document mirror — RSmodels
  12. โ†‘ 12.0 12.1 ibmfiles.com — rs6000n40
  13. โ†‘ Wikipedia — ThinkPad Power Series Tertiary source.
  14. โ†‘ OpenPA — ibm powerpc rs6000 n40 800 850 860
  15. โ†‘ 15.0 15.1 IBM public document server — f80whitepaper
  16. โ†‘ TheRetroWeb — ibm rs 6000 type 7025 f50 Community board database.
  17. โ†‘ kev009.com โ€” IBM PS/2 and PC document mirror — sg245143
  18. โ†‘ Amazon listing — B000MRECHI A retail listing, used only to establish that the part exists and its rating. Not a technical source.
  19. โ†‘ 19.0 19.1 WorthPoint listing archive — ibm rs 6000 43p 150 type 7043 150 1786561961 An auction-listing archive, used only for what was printed on a label or box. Not a technical source.
  20. โ†‘ 20.0 20.1 UNIXHQ — ibm 7043 150
  21. โ†‘ ibmfiles.com — rs6000type7043150
  22. โ†‘ sharktastica.co.uk — IBM SA38 0512 03 RS6000 98 4
  23. โ†‘ 23.0 23.1 Dr. Dobb's — ibms rs6000 43p model 260 199200782
  24. โ†‘ kev009.com โ€” IBM PS/2 and PC document mirror — sg245144
  25. โ†‘ 25.0 25.1 IBM public document server — 44p270wp
  26. โ†‘ ibmfiles.com — rs6000type7044
  27. โ†‘ 27.0 27.1 27.2 GSI web-docs mirror — rs6k43p7248
  28. โ†‘ 28.0 28.1 The Linux Documentation Project — overview
  29. โ†‘ MemoryStock — IBMRS6000Model43P7248100120133
  30. โ†‘ kev009.com โ€” IBM PS/2 and PC document mirror — GXT3000P
  31. โ†‘ Bitsavers (Stuttgart mirror) — SG24 5130 00 RS6000 Graphics Handbook 199903
  32. โ†‘ Wikipedia — Common Hardware Reference Platform Tertiary source.
  33. โ†‘ infania.net IBM mirror — 7043140I
  34. โ†‘ kev009.com โ€” IBM PS/2 and PC document mirror — krn4

Further reading


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