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Hardware Detail

Item Reference:
HW0319    
Machine Type:
3278-2A
Serial Number:
55-V0556
  NDS Display Terminal Console
  The IBM 3270 Information Display System (IDS) was announced in 1971. It was intended for interactive communication with IBM mainframe computers. The individual terminals (e.g. 3277 Display Terminal and 3284 / 3286 Printers) were connected to one of two cluster controllers which were connected upstream to the host computer. The local channel-attached controller was the IBM 3271, with the remote controller designated 3272, attached via land lines and modems.

In 1977 the 3270 subsystem was upgraded to the 3270 New Display System (NDS) with a new control unit (3274) and new terminals (3278 Display and 3287 Printer). Later, in 1979, colour was added to the range with the announcement of the Hursley developed 3279 Colour Display Terminal and 3287C Colour Printer.

This is an example of a 3278 Model 2 with a special keyboard with additional connector for use as a mainframe Operator's Console.

The 3278 was the first IBM DP (Data Processing) Division machine to be designated as Customer Install, i.e. a Customer Engineer was no longer sent to perform installation. Extensive installation monitoring was carried out in Germany, Austria and Switzerland to ensure that the documentation and process were fit for purpose.

The 3278 is displayed in the Hursley room. Although developed in Kingston, Hursley developed a screen reader / voice output device code name "Parrot" for the 3278.
Date of Origin:
Donor:
Jim Austin (on loan from York museum)

3278-2A

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3278-2A

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3278-2A

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3278-2A

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Location:
On Display - HLG46 Commissioned By: Until: