IBM Storage controller

Advantages: Good extra features. Can play CD's from keyboard
Disadvantages: Price?

.... This is to put your PC to “sleep” if it’s so configured. Also on top, there’s a blue “Help” button, which apes the F1 function, which must lie at least a foot away on the left! Down the right-hand side is a row of 4 short-cut buttons, which can be pre-programmed to load software of your choice. IBM have printed an insert for you, on the assumption that word-processor, spreadsheet and internet access are going to be the big three, within one other blank, which I have taken to be my Quicken banking software. Notwithstanding IBM’s printed label, there is nothing to stop you programming all four yourself. The software to configure your board comes on CD-ROM and is easy to install. It adds another icon within Control Panel, which I feel is the best place for it. Now comes the “pièce de résistance... Read review

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Advantages: Hugely versatile system
Disadvantages: Not as well known as it should be

...s a zOS (OS/390) mainframe environment, but that's probably down to strategic policies rgather than any technical limitations - indeed - at one time you could buy a version of CIX, although it never quite caught on. Even though the iSeries is now languishing (in marketing terms at least) in late middle-age, it's spirit lives on as the controlling software for IBM's flagship UNIX server - the System Reference codes seen on the control panel during an IPL will be entirely familiar with anyone experienced on an iSeries! The iSeries is a complex yet easily managed server which provides scalability from a couple of dozen to tens if not hundreds of thousands of users concurrently. It provides integrated and highly reliable tools which allows resilience which is unsurpassed in midrange computing circles, and is only beaten by corporate... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Very versatile mid range server
Disadvantages: support web site can be awkward to navigate

...I started building these when they were X232's,they were good then and are still good now. They work equally well as an SMB domain controller, larger corporate BDC/SQL server or mid use terminal server. I currently support a pair of them using round robin DNS supporting some 100 TS users using office docs, outlook and an accounts package. As you can see from the picture they are a tower unit but you can buy, for about £250 a rack conversion kit. The kit includes a new facia, metal case and rails. Once converted the rails will fit into most SERVER cabinets. This server will not go into a standard 600 wide data cabinet because you tend to find that the doors on the data cabinets hinge in such a way as to stop the server sliding out on its rails unless you remove the door. Secondly the cabinet should be at least 900mm deep... Read review

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