ICL DRS facts for kids
The ICL DRS was a series of computers made by a company called International Computers Limited (ICL). DRS originally stood for Distributed Resource System. These computers were designed for offices and businesses.
In the mid-1980s, ICL made different types of computers. These included PCs that worked like IBM-compatible computers, small servers called DRS, and larger Unix servers. By 1988, ICL decided to bring all these products under the DRS name. They even gave them a cool new look with grey and peppermint-green colors.
The part of ICL that made these systems later joined with another company. It became part of the Fujitsu-Siemens company.
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Early DRS Computers
The very first DRS computer was the DRS 20. It was launched in September 1981. This computer used a special operating system called DRX.
The basic DRS 20 models were like "smart terminals." They used special Intel processors and had a small amount of memory. Some models could even run an early operating system called CP/M. Larger models had floppy disk drives to store information. Some big models had hard disks, which were used to start up the smaller, diskless models.
The DRS 10 was a diskless model that worked with the DRS 20. It had a small amount of memory for programs.
Up to 16 DRS 20 or DRS 10 machines could connect together. They used a special network cable called coaxial cable. This allowed them to share information.
A later model, the DRS 310, could act like an IBM PC. It had a second processor and more memory to run programs.
The DRS 300 Series
In the mid-1980s, ICL developed the DRS 300. It was launched in 1986. The DRS 300 was a modular system. This means it was made of different parts that could be connected. These parts were about the size of a piece of A4 paper. You could place them on an office shelf.
The modules included things like a power supply, a processor, and disk drives. They connected using a system called SCSI. The first models used an Intel 80286 processor. Later models had faster processors and more memory. They could run operating systems like Concurrent DOS.
The DRS 300 was also designed to run a version of Unix. This was a more powerful operating system. Later, an Intel 80386 processor module was added. This allowed the DRS 300 to run a 32-bit version of Unix.
DRS 400 and DRS 500
These DRS names were given to Unix computers that ICL bought from other companies. The DRS 400 was first known as the Clan 4. It used a Motorola 68020 processor and ran a version of Unix. Later, it was replaced by the DRS 400E, which was faster.
The DRS 500 was based on larger computers from a company called CCI. CCI was owned by ICL's parent company. CCI also created a popular office software suite called OfficePower. This software was used across the DRS range.
DRS 3000 Series
The DRS 3000 was the next step after the DRS 300. It was a floor-standing computer. It used an Intel 80486 processor. This computer could run a powerful operating system called SVR4. A newer model, the Level 656, was launched in 1993. It used the even faster Pentium processor.
DRS 6000 Series
The DRS 6000 was developed by ICL itself. It was launched in January 1990. This computer was quite large, about the size of a washing machine. It used a special processor called SPARC. It ran ICL's version of Unix System V Release 4.
By 1992, there were smaller desktop and slimline models. These ranged from single-processor computers to models with four processors. Some of these models were also sold by Fujitsu. ICL even won an award for its DRS 6000 in 1993.
The DRS 6000 competed with IBM's RS/6000 computers. ICL had originally planned to call it the DRS 600. But they changed the name when they found out about IBM's similar name.
In 1994, the DRS range was replaced by new computer lines. These included the SuperServer and TeamServer. They used both SPARC and Intel processors. They ran either DRS/NX Unix or Microsoft Windows NT.
- DRS 6000 Level 200 Series
- DRS 6000 Level 600 Series
DRS PWS Workstations
In 1987, ICL introduced the DRS Professional Work Station (PWS). This was ICL's first computer that worked like an IBM PC/AT. The DRS PWS first came with a special version of MS-DOS 4.0. This version could run several programs at once.
Later, it was updated to MS-DOS 4.1. This version was made especially for the DRS PWS. Sometimes, users had problems running other software. ICL tried to fix these issues for big customers.
The PWS was designed to compete with computers like the IBM Personal System/2. In 1988, the DRS PWS was renamed the DRS Model 60. The DRS PWS 386 became the DRS Model 80.
The PWS hardware was a large desktop or tower computer. It used an Intel 80286 processor. Later, it was updated with a faster Intel 80386 processor. It had special memory cards for expansion. The computer's screen could display standard graphics. It also had a special line at the bottom for messages.
The PWS could connect to other ICL computers and mainframes. It used different network systems like Microlan2 and OSLAN. This allowed it to communicate and share information.
Development Software
Many programming languages were used on DRS computers. For the DRS 20, people used languages like Microsoft BASIC and COBOL. They also used tools to build applications.
On the DRS 300, with Concurrent DOS, languages like Lattice C and FORTRAN were available.
For the Unix-based DRS computers (from 300 to 6000), programmers used C, COBOL, and C++. They also used database systems like Oracle and Sybase.
ICL wanted to offer popular software on its computers. This often meant changing the software to work on ICL machines. To make this easier, ICL worked with other companies. They tried to improve how different computers could work together.
