# IBM Advanced/36 > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/IBM_Advanced/36 > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/IBM_Advanced/36.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Advanced%2F36 > Source revision: 1321766168 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) The **IBM Advanced/36** was an [IBM](/source/IBM) [midrange computer](/source/Midrange_computer) based on adapted [IBM AS/400](/source/IBM_AS/400) computer hardware and [System/36](/source/IBM_System/36) IBM programmable software. It was marketed from October 1994[1] to January 1999/2000. ## Overview The Advanced/36 is physically smaller than other S/36 offerings due to the use of more advanced hardware. It was cheaper, with prices beginning at US$12,000.[2] The smallest 5362 sold for about US$20,000, and a maxed-out 5360 sold for upwards of US$200,000. By 2000, the A/36 was no longer being marketed. The Advanced/36 Machine support in [OS/400](/source/OS/400) was removed in V4R5. ## Configurations The maximum configuration of an Advanced/36 is 4.19 [GB](/source/Gigabyte) of disk storage, 256 [MB](/source/Megabyte) of memory, one [tape drive](/source/Tape_drive), and one single 8" (or 5.25") [diskette drive](/source/Floppy_disk) along with a [communication adapter](/source/Adapter) for [modems](/source/Modem) (like BSCA/SLDC) and the twinax. brick(s) and a card for installing 9-track tape drive (9438-12). The A/36 was marketed in three packages: the Small Package, the Growth Package, and the Large Package. A/36 Computers sold in 1994 contained a version of the [System Support Program](/source/System_Support_Program) (SSP) operating system called "7.1". This was the 9402-236 model. In 1995, an upgraded A/36 was offered with a version of SSP called "7.5". These were the 9402-436 model.[3] A 236 could be upgraded to a 436. The 436 model could also run [OS/400](/source/IBM_i). There were three [CPU](/source/Central_processing_unit) options, differing by performance. The base was known as #2102, and the next level up was #2104, which was 1.3 times faster. The final option, #2106, was advertised as 2.4 times faster than the base model. ## Software SSP for the A (Advanced)/36 supported the same programming languages as the standard [S/36](/source/IBM_System/36) systems, namely [RPG II](/source/RPG_II), [COBOL](/source/COBOL), [FORTRAN](/source/FORTRAN), [System/36 BASIC](/source/System/36_BASIC), and [Assembler](/source/Assembly_language). The Advanced/36 also included the [Programmer and Operator Productivity Aid](/source/Programmer_and_Operator_Productivity_Aid) (POPA) utility as standard. ## Backup and storage One difference between the A/36 and earlier S/36s is the 9402 Tape Drive. The 9402 uses [Quarter-inch cartridges](/source/Quarter-inch_cartridge) which can store up to 2.5 GB ([Gigabytes](/source/Gigabyte)) of data. The 9402 is able to read the 60MB tapes from the older S/36 6157 tape drive, but cannot write or do any **SEND_DATA_BYTE** operations with them, because they are newer than the older-style 1.0GB cartridges, which use the same pinout, and the same speed. Despite this, they cannot write the newer 2.5GB cartridges. The A/36 CD-ROM drive is provided for [PTF](/source/Program_temporary_fix) installation only. PTF [CDs](/source/CD) can only be applied if the operator follows a bypass procedure to switch device codes with the tape unit. The CD unit becomes TC. The CD unit was only on the A/436 model, not the A/236. The A/36 8" [floppy disk drive](/source/Floppy_disk_drive) (FDD) is optional and was marketed for approximately US$1,000. A 5.25" floppy disk drive (FDD) option was also available. These were intended to allow migration of data from older S (System) /36 hardware. ## References 1. Cooper, James; Stern, Nancy B.; Stern, Robert A. (1997). *Programming in COBOL/400*. Wiley. p. 2. ISBN 978-0471127222. 1. Stedman, Craig (October 31, 1994). ["IBM calls on System/36 to pave way for AS/400"](https://books.google.com/books?id=fPRMUPZpNtEC&dq=%22IBM+Advanced%2F36%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA69). *Computerworld*. **28** (44): 65, 69. – via Google Books. 1. Hoskins, Jim (2000). *Exploring IBM Technology, Products, and Services*. Maximum. p. 134. ISBN 978-1885068446. ## External links - [IBM Archives - AS/400 Advanced 36](https://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?appname=skmwww&htmlfid=897%2FENUS194-317&infotype=AN&subtype=CA&mhsrc=ibmsearch_a&mhq=Advanced%2F36) Advanced/36 (236; 436)1994 Advanced/36 (170)1996 AS/Entry AS/Entry (150) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [IBM Advanced/36](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Advanced%2F36) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Advanced%2F36?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.