Focus on interface

productsand services Storageboost with laser optics Sperry has introduced an optical disc subsystem for the Series 1100 mainframes. Based on semiconductor laser optics, the subsystem provides large capacity mass storage at more than 2.6B bytes per platter. Two types of subsystem are available. The Model 8654 library mechanism and the Model 8652 manual unit. Both operate with the Model 5071 optical disc controller, use the same media and are supported by the same software. The library mechanism model has a single read/write drive with a second drive as optional. The library can hold up to 32 cartridges each containing 2.6 Gbyte of storage. Cartridges are mounted and dismounted in the library system by a software controlled robotic arm. Cartridges in the library may be removed by the system operator for archival storage.

The Model 8652 subsystem holds one cartridge per drive. A single optical disc unit can hold four drives and up to four optical disc units may be connected to a single controller providing 16 online drives. Two software packages are available which apply to both the optical disc units and the optical library unit. The basic software provides routines and utilities to load and retrieve data sequentially as well as commands to print platter contents etc. The second software package is for random retrieval of data from the disc. Optical disc storage is suited to applications where large amounts of data must be kept online, it is also ideal for archiving where large amounts of data must be kept for a long time. It works well in tandem with magnetic storage, since a magnetic disc can be used where

very high speeds are required and an optical disc can be used to hold large amounts of data which are less frequently accessed. Prices for the subsystem are as follows. The manual disc 8652 is &42000, which includes one cartridge and 2.6 Gbyte storage. The 86.54 library mechanism is &91000 which also includes one cartridge. Separate cartridges can be purchased for &380 per copy. The 5071 optical disc controller is &30000. For a

or MVSiTSO operating systems. Focus facilities available against SQL/DS and DB2 include data analysis, file import/export, cross machine access, and multiple levels of security. The Focus cross machine interface allows SQL/ and DB2 data to be accessed

from different physical or virtual machines. The cross machine interface is also capable of relationally joining product SQUDS and DB2 databases with either data structures across CPUs. The Focus MODIFY language generates SQL commands which relieves the user from needing to know the SQL language. SQL commands can also be entered in the native Focus command environment, which permits SQLiDS and DB2 ~nten~ce and security operations from within the

Focuson interface The introduction of SQLiDS and DB2 interfaces means that IBM’s relational database management systems can now be updated from within Focus the fourth-generation database language. The interfaces are designed to operate in either online or batch mode under V~CMS

~0128 no 6

july/‘august 1986

Sperty’s optical disc subsystem

typical configuration which would include the control unit, disc unit and software the price would be around &80000 and if the library mechanism was included it would cost around &130 000. Software based on a one time licence of five years costs &7500. All products are available now, worldwide. is~eny Ltd, Information Sysm Group, Speny Centre, Stonebridge Park, London NW10 XS, UK. Tel: 01-965 0.511) c]

Focus environment _ The SQLiDS read/write and DB2 read interfaces are presently available. The DB2 write interface has just completed beta testing. Prices for read and write are &12600 for a one time licence or f350 per month. The read only interface costs f6700 for a one time licence, or 5170 per month. Both products are available worldwide. (hzfimnatiun Builden (UK) Ltd, Station House, Harrow Rd, Webb, Middx HA9 6DE, UK. Tel: 01-903 6lll) •1

331