IBM RISC System/6000
* Desktop * Workstation (POWERstation) * Server (POWERserver) * Supercomputer platform (RS/6000 SP line)
AkaIBM RS/6000
DeveloperIBM
Release dateFebruary 1990
Discontinued
  • October 2000 (servers)
  • 2002 (workstations)
PredecessorIBM RT PC
Successor
RelatedIBM PC Power Series
Cpu

The RISC System/6000 is a family of RISC-based (Reduced Instruction Set Computer-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 is 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 RS/6000 floating-point execution unit (FPU) enabled major improvements in the speed and accuracy of floating-point operations. The key feature of the FPU was introducing the MAF (multiply-add fused) operation, which has since become standard in most modern processors. [1]

History

After the RT PC—IBM's first Unix RISC workstation—achieved less than 2% market share, the company avoided using the RT name for its replacement.[2] IBM's announcement of RS/6000 in February 1990 was its reentry into the fastest-growing segment of the PC market,[3] and its use of AIX was the company's official endorsement of Unix.[4] About 70 vendors demonstrated early versions of software at the introduction. About 100 more announced ports to the system, and IBM said it expected 1500 applications from 700 companies by the end of 1990.[5]

IBM aggressively priced RS/6000 after its earlier failure to compete against Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, and Silicon Graphics.[2] InfoWorld said that while RT PC "caused only laughter among competitors ... This time no one is laughing" at RS/6000, with performance superior to Sun and comparable prices.[6] IBM said during the announcement that it was faster than competing systems from Sun, Hewlett-Packard, and Digital Equipment Corporation, and hoped that the company would have 15% of the workstation market by 1992.[3] RS/6000's RISC technology also had a much better price/performance ratio than IBM's existing proprietary AS/400. Although the company described RS/6000 as being for scientific and engineering users, observers said that IBM intended it and AS/400 to compete with each other in the midrange system market,[4] with non-technical software announcements beyond those available for competing workstations.[5] The AS/400 division at IBM Rochester reportedly attempted to prevent the RS/6000 division at IBM Austin from selling the product at such a competitive price, and wanted to change its name to a number smaller than "400". An uninvolved company source said "The last thing IBM wanted to do was compete with itself. But it looks like that kind of thinking isn't going to work anymore".[7]

The first RS/6000 models use the IBM Standard Micro Channel (SMC) bus; later models use PCI. Some later models conform to the PReP and CHRP standard platforms, co-developed with Apple and Motorola, with Open Firmware (OpenFW/OFW). 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 includes the POWERserver servers, POWERstation workstations, and the IBM RS/6000 SP supercomputer platform. While most machines are desktops, desksides, or rack-mounted, there are 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.

Architecture

Hardware

Service processor

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.[8] Early advertisements and documentation called the service processor "System Guard",[9] (or SystemGuard[10]) 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.[11]

Software

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.

Models

TypeModelCPUMHzL2/L3 CacheBusMemoryEnclosureIntroduced[12]Discontinued[12]
700641TPowerPC 601/601e800 or 512 KBMicrochannel16 to 256 MBDesktop1994-06-03[13]1997-01-10[13]
41W1997-07-18[14]
42TPowerPC 604/604e1200 or 512 KBUp to 256 MBDesktop1995-06-19[15][16]1997-09-24[15][16]
42W
7008M20POWER13316 to 64 MBAll-in-one1993-02-021995-01-06
M2A[17]POWER13316 to 64 MBAll-in-one1993-02-021994-10-26
7009C10[18]PowerPC 601800 or 1 MB16 to 256 MBDesktop1994-05-241997-07-18
C1LUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknown
C20PowerPC 6041201 MB16 to 256 MBDesktop1995-06-191998-01-30
7010150UnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknown
160PowerPC 60366Unknown8 MBXstationUnknownUnknown
220PowerPC 604120Unknown32 MBUnknownUnknownUnknown
7011220RSC33?Slimline Desktop1992-01-211995-01-06
22GRSC33?Slimline Desktop??
22WRSC33Up to 64 MB?1993-09-211996-10-25
223RSC?Up to 64 MB???
230RSC45128 KB?Slimline Desktop1993-05-181995-01-06
23ERSC45128 KB????
23SRSC45??1993-05-181994-10-26
23TRSC45Up to 64 MB?1993-05-181994-10-26
23WRSC45Up to 64 MB?1993-05-181994-10-26
250PowerPC 60166/80 [19]16 to 256 MBSlimline Desktop1993-09-211997-07-18
25EPowerPC 60166?16 to 256 MBPlanar upgrade (for 220 and 230 families)??
25FPowerPC 60180[20]?16 to 256 MBPlanar upgrade (for 220, 230, and 66 MHz 250 families)??
25SPowerPC 60166/80?Up to 256 MB?1993-09-211996-10-25
25TPowerPC 60166/80?Up to 256 MB?1993-09-211997-07-18
25WPowerPC 60166/80?Up to 256 MB?1993-09-211996-10-25
7012[a]320POWER1208 to 32 MBDesktop1990-02-151992-10-28
32E???????
32TPOWER1208 to 64 MBTower?1992-10-28
32HPOWER125Up to 128 MBDesktop1991-03-121994-10-26
340POWER133Up to 256 MBDesktop1992-01-211994-11-04
34HPOWER141.6Up to 256 MBDesktop1993-07-131994-10-26
34L???????
34R???????
350POWER141Up to 128 MBDesktop1992-01-211993-08-18
355POWER141??1993-02-021994-10-26
35R???????
360POWER1+50Up to 256 MBDesktop1993-02-021994-11-04
365POWER1+50Up to 128 MBDesktop1993-02-021994-10-26
36TPOWER1+50Up to 256 MB?1993-05-181994-10-26
370POWER1++62.5Up to 256 MB?1993-02-021996-05-20
375POWER1++62.5Up to 128 MB?1993-02-021994-10-26
37TPOWER1++62.5Up to 256 MB?1993-05-181996-05-20
380POWER2+59none/0.5/1 MB32 to 512 MBDesktop1994-05-241996-05-20
390POWER2+671 MB32 to 512 MBDesktop1994-05-241997-07-18
397P2SC160?128 to 1024 MBDesktop1997-10-061999-03-19
39HPOWER267none/1/2 MB[21]64 to 512 MBDesktop1995-02-071998-01-30
39T???????
G02????Tower??
G30PowerPC 601 (2 or 4)75?32 to 512 MBTower[20]1994-10-041996-10-23
G40PowerPC 604 (2 or 4)1120.5 MB per CPU[22]64 MB to 1 GBTower1996-07-231998-01-08
7030355POWER141?????
375POWER1++62.5?????
37T???????
397P2SC160??Desktop1997-10-061999-01-19
3ATPOWER2+5932 to 512 MBDesktop1994-05-241997-01-10
3BTPOWER2+670.5 or 1 MB32 to 512 MBDesktop1994-05-241998-01-08
3CTPOWER267none/1/2 MB[23]64 to 512 MBDesktop1995-02-071998-01-08
7013520POWER1208 to 128 MBDeskside1990-02-151992-04-21
52E???????
52HPOWER125Up to 512 MBDeskside1992-01-211995-01-06
530POWER12516 to 128 MBDeskside1990-02-151992-01-02
53HPOWER13332 to 512 MB HD3 (33 MHz)Deskside1991-10-021993-08-18
53EPOWER1 [24]3332 to 512 MB HD3 (33 MHz)Deskside1992-01-21?
540POWER13064 to 256 MBDeskside1990-02-151992-01-02
550POWER141.664 MB to 1 GBDeskside1990-10-301993-08-18
55E???????
55LPOWER141.6Up to 256 MBDeskside1993-05-181994-10-26
55S???????
560POWER1+50Up to 1 GBDeskside1992-01-211993-12-21
56F???????
570POWER1+50Up to 1 GBDeskside1993-02-021996-05-20
571???????
57F???????
57L???????
580POWER1++62.564 MB to 1 GBDeskside1992-09-221996-05-20
58FPOWER1++ [25]62.564 MB to 1 GBDeskside1992-11-27?
58HPOWER255.664 MB to 2 GBDeskside1993-09-211996-10-25
590POWER266.764 MB to 2 GBDeskside1993-09-211997-09-24
591POWER27764 MB to 2 GBDeskside1995-07-251997-07-18
595P2SC13564 MB to 2 GBDeskside1996-10-081999-01-08
59HPOWER2+66.71 MB64 MB to 2 GBDeskside1994-05-241997-01-10
J01???????
J30PowerPC 601 (2 or 4)75?128 MB to 2 GBDeskside1994-10-041996-10-23
J40PowerPC 604 (2 to 8)1121 MB128 MB to 2 GBDeskside1996-08-301998-01-08
J50PowerPC 604e (2 to 8)200??Deskside1997-04-301999-01-08
7016730[b]POWER12516 to 128 MBDeskside1990?
731???????
7015[c]920???????
930POWER12516 to 128 MBRack tower1990-02-151992-07-15
950POWER141?Up to 512 MBRack tower1991-05-071993-12-21
95E???????
960???????
970POWER1+50?Up to 1 GBRack tower1992-04-211993-08-18
97BPOWER1+50??Rack tower1993-02-021995-01-06
97E???????
97F???????
980POWER1++62.5Up to 1 GBRack tower1992-09-221993-08-18
98BPOWER1++62.5??Rack tower1993-02-021996-05-20
98E???????
98F???????
990POWER271.5128 MB to 2 GBRack tower1993-09-211996-05-20
99EUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknown
99FUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknown
99JUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknown
99KUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknown
R10POWER1+50128 MB to 1 GB6U racks1994-05-241996-05-20
R20POWER2+661 MB128 MB to 2 GB6U racks1994-05-241998-01-30
R21POWER277??6U racks1995-07-251996-10-25
R24POWER2+71.52 MB128 MB to 2 GB10U racks1994-05-241998-01-30
R30PowerPC 601 (2 or 4)75?128 MB to 2 GB6U racks1994-10-041996-10-23
R40PowerPC 604 (2 to 8)112?128 MB to 2 GB6U racks1996-07-231998-01-08
R4U???????
R50PowerPC 604e (2 to 8)200?Up to 4 GB6U racks1997-04-152000-08-15
R5U???????
7017S70RS64125?PCI?2+ racks1997-10-311999-12-13
RS64-II262??1998-10-05
S7ARS64-II2628 MB1 to 32 GB2+ racks1998-10-232000-12-01
S80[26]RS64-III[27]450[27]8 MB[27]2 to 64 GB[27]2+ racks[27]1999-09-242001-08-31
S85RS64-III / IV450/6008/16 MB2 to 96 GBRacks2000-11-17?
70200U0PowerPC 60166??Desktop1994-10-041996-01-19
40P[28]PowerPC 60166?16 to 192 MBDesktop??
B1BPowerPC 60166??Desktop1994-10-041996-01-19
B1CPowerPC 60166??Desktop1994-10-041996-01-19
D1DPowerPC 60166??Desktop1994-10-041996-01-19
D2DPowerPC 60166??Desktop1994-10-041996-01-19
D4E????Desktop1995-02-071996-01-19
SPEPowerPC 60166??Desktop1994-10-041996-01-19
7024E20PowerPC 604100/133512 KB16 to 512 MBTower1995-10-101997-07-18
PowerPC 604e2331997-04-???
E30PowerPC 604133/166?64 to 1024 MBTower1996-04-231999-03-19
PowerPC 604e2331997-04-??1999-03-19
7025F30PowerPC 604133/166?Up to 1 GBTower1996-02-201998-01-08
F40PowerPC 604e (1 or 2)166/233?Up to 1 GBTower1996-10-082000-05-08
F50PowerPC 604e (1 to 4)166/332256 KB128 MB to 3 GBTower1997-04-25[29]2001-07-17[29]
F80[30]RS64-III (1 to 6)450/5002/4 MB (SMP)8/16 GB (SMP)Deskside[30]2000-05-092001-07-13
F85???????
7026H10PowerPC 604e (1 or 2)166/233?Up to 1 GB7U racks1997-02-141998-02-27
H50PowerPC 604e (1 to 4)332?Up to 3 GB8U racks1998-02-202000-12-01
H70[31]RS64-II (1 to 4)340?Up to 8 GB8U racks1999-04-232001-07-17
H80[32]RS64-III/IV (1 to 6)450/500?Up to 16 GB5U racks2000-06-092001-07-13
M80[33]RS64-III/IV (2 to 8)500/750??8U racks2000-06-092002-01-31
B80????5U racks??
724843PPowerPC 604100/120/132/166[34]256/512 KB16 to 192 MBDesktop1995-06-191997-07-18
704343P-140[35]PowerPC 604e166/200/233/3321 MB32 to 768 MBDesktop1996-10-082000-12-01
43P-150[36]PowerPC 604e250/3751 MB64 MB to 1 GBDesktop1998-10-052003-12-12
43P-240PowerPC 604e (1 or 2)166/233512 KB/1 MB per CPU[37]64 MB to 1 GBDesktop1996-10-081999-03-19
43P-260POWER3 (1 or 2)2004 MB per CPU128 MB to 4 GBTower1998-10-052000-12-01
43P-270[38][39]POWER3-II (up to 4)200/375/4504/8 MB per CPUup to 8 GBTower2000-02-252003-09-12
704444P-170[40]POWER3-II333/400/4501/4/8 MB256 MB to 2 GBTower2000-02-072003-12-12
44P-270[41]POWER3-II (Up to 4)375/4504/8 MB256 MB to 16 GBTower2000-02-072003-09-12
7046B50PowerPC 604e3751 MBUp to 1 GB2U racks1999-09-132003-09-12
7317F3L[42]PowerPC 604133512 KB32 to 960 MB17U racks1996-10-081999-12-13
PowerPC 604e1661 MB32 MB to 1 GB
233512 KB
7007N40PowerPC 60150?Unknown16 to 64 MB[43]Laptop1994-03-081997-06-30
7249851PowerPC 603e100256 KB32 to 96 MBLaptop1996-02-201996-11-08
860[44]PowerPC 603e166256 KB32 to 96 MBLaptop1996-10-081998-01-30

The Model N40 was a PowerPC-based laptop developed and manufactured by Tadpole Technology in conjunction with IBM.[45] 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.[46]

Notes

  1. ^ The 380, 390, and 39H servers correspond to the 3AT, 3BT, and 3CT workstations.
  2. ^ The 7016-730 model was a version of 7013-530 model, but with licensed by Silicon Graphics graphics card.[1]
  3. ^ Type 7015 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.

References

  1. ^ Montoye, R. K.; Hokenek, E.; Runyon, S. L. (January 1990). "Design of the IBM RISC System/6000 floating-point execution unit". IBM Journal of Research and Development. 34 (1): 59–70. doi:10.1147/rd.341.0059. ISSN 0018-8646
  2. ^ Marshall, Martin & LaPlante, Alice (1990-01-15). "IBM RISC Workstation Family Due in February". InfoWorld. Vol. 12, no. 3. pp. 1, 93. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  3. ^ "IBM's Born-Again Workstation Line Will Exorcise RT Ghost, Users Say". InfoWorld. Vol. 12, no. 8. 1990-02-19. pp. 1,101. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
  4. ^ Cortese, Amy (1990-02-26). "Unix elevated to IBM mainstream status". Computerworld. Vol. XXIV, no. 9. p. 62. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
  5. ^ Marshall, Martin (1990-02-26). "IBM's RS/6000s Headed for Rich Software Base". InfoWorld. Vol. 12, no. 9. p. 8. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  6. ^ Marshall, Martin (1990-02-26). "IBM Raises the Ante For RISC Performance". InfoWorld. Vol. 12, no. 9. pp. 39, 42. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  7. ^ Dryden, Patrick & LaPlante, Alice (1990-02-26). "RISC System/6000 Could Step on AS/400's Toes". InfoWorld. Vol. 12, no. 9. pp. 1,8. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  8. ^ RS/6000 Enterprise Server Model M80, Eserver pSeries 660 Model 6M1. Service Guide, p. 69
  9. ^ IDG Enterprise (3 April 1995). Computerworld. IDG Enterprise. p. 61. ISSN 0010-4841
  10. ^ IBM RISC System/6000 SMP Servers Architecture and Implementation. IBM. November 1995. SG24-2583-00. Archived 2 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine.
  11. ^ "REDP0195.book". Csee.umbc.edu. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  12. ^ "RS/6000 Machine Type Models". Archive.rootvg.net. Archived from the original on 11 October 2013. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  13. ^ "7006-41T IBM RS/6000 Model 41T". www-01.ibm.com. 2010-09-14. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  14. ^ "7006-41W IBM RS/6000 Model 41W". www-01.ibm.com. 2010-09-14. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  15. ^ "7006-42T IBM RS/6000 Workstation Model 42T". www-01.ibm.com. 2010-09-14. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  16. ^ "7006-42W IBM RS/6000 Workstation Model 42W". www-01.ibm.com. 2020-12-08. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  17. ^ "Powerstation * 16MB, Graphics, 33MHz, desktop, S.Hem". 01.ibm.com. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  18. ^ "RISC System/6000 Model C10 Features and Enhancements". IBM.com. Archived 2025-04-29 at the Wayback Machine.
  19. ^ "7011-250 IBM RS/6000 Model 250". 01.ibm.com. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  20. ^ "How can I get the clock speed of an AIX machine? (Text of DW7410)". Sdsc.edu. Archived from the original on 21 May 2013. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  21. ^ "7012-39H IBM RS/6000 Model 39H". 01.ibm.com. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  22. ^ "7012-G40 IBM RS/6000 Enterprise Server Model G40". www-01.ibm.com. 2015-02-11. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  23. ^ "7030-3CT IBM RS/6000 Model 3CT". 01.ibm.com. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  24. ^ Model 53E is a special designation for Models 520 and 52H converted to 53H functionality (33 MHz Processor and 33 MHz memory) as on-site upgrade. See US Announcement Letter 192-005 Archived 7 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  25. ^ Model 58F is a special designation for Models 530H, 550 and 560 converted to Model 580 functionality (62.5 MHz Processor) as on-site upgrade. See US Announcement Letter C92-016 Archived 7 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  26. ^ "IBM RS/6000 Enterprise Server Model S80". Archived from the original on 19 August 2000. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  27. ^ The RS/6000 Enterprise Server Model S80 Technology and Architecture. IBM.
  28. ^ "IBM RISC SYSTEM/6000 MODEL 40P ENTRY WORKSTATION". www.ibm.com. 1994-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-17.
  29. ^ "7025-F50 IBM RS/6000 Server Model F50". 01.ibm.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  30. ^ Stephen Lutz; Shyam Manohar; Scott Vetter (May 9, 2000). "RS/6000 7025 Model F80 Technical Overview and Introduction". IBM. Archived from the original on 17 June 2011.
  31. ^ "RS/6000 Enterprise Server Model H70". Archived from the original on 14 September 2000. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  32. ^ "RS/6000 Enterprise Server Model H80". Archived from the original on 16 August 2000. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  33. ^ "RS/6000 Enterprise Server Model M80". Archived from the original on 16 August 2000. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  34. ^ "EMEA - IBM RS/6000 43P Series Model 132". 01.ibm.com. 5 October 2004. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  35. ^ "RS/6000 43P Model 140". IBM.com. Archived from the original on 24 August 2000. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  36. ^ "RS/6000 43P Model 150 Workstation". Archived from the original on 24 August 2000. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  37. ^ "7043-240 IBM RS/6000 43P Model 240". 01.ibm.com. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  38. ^ "7043-270 IBM RS/6000 7043 Model 270". 01.ibm.com. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  39. ^ "Workstation/Entry Server * Power3 II 375MHz, 1-4way SMP, 256MB". 01.ibm.com. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  40. ^ "IBM RS/6000 44P Model 170 Workstation". Archived 24 August 2000 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  41. ^ "7044-270 IBM RS/6000 Model 270". 01.ibm.com. 7 June 2016. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  42. ^ "7317-F3L IBM RS/6000 Telecommunications Server Model F3L". 01.ibm.com. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  43. ^ "7007-N40". Archived from the original on 13 July 2011.
  44. ^ "Category:860 - ThinkWiki". www.thinkwiki.org. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
  45. ^ Nadel, Brian (May 31, 1994). "RISC Workstations on the Go". PC Magazine. Vol. 13, no. 10. p. 137.
  46. ^ "IBM RISC System/6000 N40 Notebook Workstation". Archived from the original on 28 March 2018.
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