The IBM 4300 series were mid-range systems compatible with System/370 that were sold from 1979 through 1992. They featured modest electrical and cooling requirements, and thus did not require a data center environment. They had a disruptive effect on the market, allowing customers to provide internal IBM computing services at a cost point lower than commercial time-sharing services.
Models
Each model - 4331, 4341, 4361, and 4381 - had various sub-models, such as the 4341 model 1 and 4341 model 2. The 4381-13 through 4381-24 were entry-level machines for the 370-XA architecture. They were positioned between the IBM 9370 and IBM 3090 in performance at the time of announcement. The 4381-3, 4381-14, 4381-24 and 4381-92 are dual-CPU models. Other models included 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23, 90 and 91.
The IBM 4331 were announced on 30 January 1979. It came with an integrated adapter that permitted attaching up to 16 of two newly introduced Direct-access storage devices :
The IBM 3310, described as having "a storage capacity of 64.5 million characters", was to be used with "Storage disks.. sealed to reduce the possibility of damage, loss, misuse or contamination".
The IBM 3370 with up to 571 million characters could also be used with an IBM 4341.
The 4331 was withdrawn on 18 November 1981.
IBM 4341
The IBM 4341 were announced on 30 January 1979. Like the 4331, it came with an integrated adapter that permitted attaching up to 16 of the newly introduced IBM 3370 DASD. The 4341 did not support the much lower capacity IBM 3310. On 20 October 1982, IBM announced a new entry-level 4341 model, Model Group 9 and a new top-of-the-line 4341, Model Group 12. The 4341 was withdrawn on 11 February 1986.
IBM 4361
The IBM 4361 Model Groups 4 & 5 were announced on 15 September 1983. Model Group 3 was announced the following year on 12 September 1984.
New features
Among the new/optional features for the 4361 were:
Auto-Start—automatically turns on the processor by telephone via the Remote Operator Control Facility or at a predetermined time and day of the week. The processor powers on and proceeds with initial microcode load, sets the clock and loads the system.
The IBM 4381 had a greater longevity than any of the above systems. Model Groups 1 & 2 were announced Sep 15, 1983 and withdrawn on 11 February 1986. Model Group 3 was announced on 25 October 1984 and withdrawn on 11 February 1986. Model Groups 11, 12, 13 & 14 were announced on 11 February 1986. Model Groups 21, 22, 23 & 24 were announced on 19 May 1987 and withdrawn on 19 August 1992.
Operating systems
New releases of:
Disk Operating System/Virtual Storage Extended
Virtual Machine Facility/370 Release 6
Operating System/Virtual Storage 1 Release 7
supported the 4300 series as well as other System/370-compatible processors. For the 4321 and 4331:
