Amdahl Corporation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids  |
|
| Genre | Information technology |
|---|---|
| Fate | Acquired by Fujitsu and transformed into wholly owned subsidiary |
| Founded | October 19, 1970 |
| Founder | Gene Amdahl |
| Defunct | September 19, 1997 |
| Headquarters |
,
U.S.
|
| Products | Mainframe computers, servers, software |
| Services | Educational and consulting services |
| Parent | Fujitsu (since 1997) |
Amdahl Corporation was a company that made computers. They were known for building powerful mainframe computers. These computers could work with IBM mainframe systems. Some of Amdahl's machines were even considered supercomputers, like those made by Cray Research.
The company was started in 1970 by Gene Amdahl. He was a smart computer engineer who used to work for IBM. He helped design a famous IBM computer called the System/360. Amdahl Corporation was located in Sunnyvale, California. Since 1997, it has been a part of a Japanese company called Fujitsu.
Amdahl's main goal was to create mainframe computers that were cheaper and faster than IBM's. Their computers were also easier to set up. They used air cooling instead of needing special chilled water systems. This made them a strong competitor to IBM. Amdahl became a leader in some computer markets. Many IBM customers even kept Amdahl coffee mugs in their offices. This showed IBM salespeople that they had other choices!
Later, Amdahl started making other things. They supplied UNIX and open system software. They also made servers and data storage devices. The company offered educational and consulting services too.
Contents
How Amdahl Corporation Started
Gene Amdahl's Idea
Before starting Amdahl, Gene Amdahl worked at IBM. He was part of a project to build the world's fastest computer. In 1968, he suggested a new plan. He wanted to use their new technology to build computers that worked with IBM's existing systems. This idea won out.
Around this time, IBM made a big change. They decided to sell their computer software separately. Gene Amdahl realized this was an opportunity. If software was sold separately, IBM couldn't stop other companies from making compatible computers. This meant Amdahl could build machines that used IBM's software.
In 1969, Amdahl planned three new computers. IBM didn't agree with his plans. So, Gene Amdahl left IBM in 1970. He told them he planned to build computers that would compete with theirs.
Starting Amdahl Company
Gene Amdahl met with other engineers who also left IBM. They came up with a new design for computers. Their idea was to make computers that were easier and cheaper to build. They planned to use special software to design the computer parts.
It was hard for Amdahl to get money to start the company. Many investors thought it was too risky to compete with IBM. But Amdahl had a good relationship with Fujitsu, a Japanese company. Fujitsu decided to invest $5 million. This encouraged another company, Nixdorf, to invest too. Fujitsu then invested even more money. Amdahl Corporation officially started in 1971.
Amdahl's First Computers: The 470 Series
IBM soon announced their new System/370 computers. Amdahl decided to make a cheaper version of IBM's most powerful 370 model. They called their new machines the 470/6.
Amdahl engineers worked with Fujitsu to create special air-cooled computer chips. These chips had unique cooling fins, like those on a motorcycle engine. This special technology meant Amdahl's mainframes could be cooled by air. IBM's systems needed chilled water, which was more complex to install.
The first 470V/6 computer was delivered to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in June 1975. It was set up in just five days! IBM machines usually took two or three weeks. The second machine went to the University of Michigan. By 1977, Amdahl had installed 55 systems.
For the next 25 years, Amdahl and IBM were big rivals. Amdahl's success was partly because of agreements that made it easier for their customers to use IBM's software. Amdahl's computers could also use any IBM parts. IBM tried not to help customers who used Amdahl systems, but Amdahl eventually started fixing IBM hardware too.
Newer 470 Models
In 1977, Amdahl released the 470V/6-II. It was a bit faster. They also introduced the 470V/5, a smaller system. Customers could even upgrade from the /5 to the /6-II later. They also launched the 470V/7 to compete with IBM's new computers.
The 470V/8, released in 1980, had faster memory and a new feature called "Multiple Domain Facility." This allowed the computer to act like several smaller computers. Amdahl also offered a "470 accelerator" feature. This let customers temporarily run their computers at a higher speed. They paid only for the hours they used this extra power. This feature was very popular.
Amdahl's 580 Series
_-_(Amdahl_J0276641,_IMP_8,_PN_56-135958-124).jpg)
In the late 1970s, Amdahl started working on the 580 series. This project aimed to create a new generation of computers. Gene Amdahl wanted to build one very fast processor. But his engineers and Fujitsu wanted to build computers with multiple processors working together. This disagreement led Gene Amdahl to leave the company in 1979. He then started a new company called Trilogy Systems.
After Gene Amdahl left, Amdahl Corporation began making large computers with multiple processors. These included the 5860, 5870, and 5880 models.
Amdahl also tried to expand into other areas. They wanted to merge with a company that made computer storage devices. They tried to merge with Memorex in 1979. Later, they almost merged with Storage Technology Corporation (STC). But Fujitsu, who owned a large part of Amdahl, didn't agree. This caused the deal to fall apart. Fujitsu then bought almost half of Amdahl, and later bought the whole company.
In the 1980s, Amdahl started making other IBM-compatible products. These included communication controllers and storage devices. These products were very successful for a while. However, the computer market began to change. People started using smaller, x86-based computers more. Amdahl then focused more on software and consulting services.
Amdahl's Decline
By the early 1990s, Amdahl was losing a lot of money. Sales of mainframe computers were going down. The company had to lay off many employees. They also stopped developing new computer hardware. Instead, they started reselling computers from Sun Microsystems.
Amdahl had some success when IBM was changing its computer technology. IBM's new processors were not as fast as their older ones for a time. This gave Amdahl a temporary advantage. But eventually, IBM's new technology improved. IBM started making faster and cheaper mainframes.
By the year 2000, Amdahl's hardware business couldn't compete with IBM anymore. IBM released new 64-bit computers, but Amdahl's servers were still 31-bit. Fujitsu/Amdahl announced they would not invest the huge amount of money needed to create a 64-bit IBM-compatible system.
Amdahl also had trouble with its ObjectStar software. This product was later sold off.
What Happened to Amdahl Customers?
Many older Amdahl computers could only run 31-bit software. IBM stopped supporting 31-bit operating systems around 2007. This meant that Amdahl's hardware became less useful.
Some companies and governments still used Amdahl systems until about 2006. Fujitsu/Amdahl promised to support these customers with parts and services until March 2009.
Today, Fujitsu/Amdahl even sells used IBM mainframes. They help customers switch from Amdahl machines to IBM ones. Newer IBM computers only support 64-bit operating systems.
There was also a company called Platform Solutions Inc. They tried to make computers that could run IBM's software. IBM sued them, saying they were using their technology without permission. In 2008, IBM bought Platform Solutions Inc., and their machines are no longer available.
Fujitsu GS21 Mainframes
Fujitsu still sells its "GlobalServer" (GS21) mainframe computers in Japan. These machines are based on Amdahl's designs. They work with Fujitsu's own operating systems. Fujitsu has said they will not make 64-bit versions of these mainframes.
Fujitsu plans to stop selling the GS21 mainframe by 2030. They will stop supporting them by 2035. This is to encourage customers to use newer technology.
See also
- Amdahl UTS
- IBM ESA/390
- Magnuson Computer Systems
- Trilogy Systems
