IBM 3790

IBM 3790 Communication System
Release date1974; 50 years ago (1974)
SuccessorIBM 8100

The IBM 3790 Communications System was one of the first distributed computing platforms. The 3790 was developed by IBM's Data Processing Division (DPD) and announced in 1974.[1] It preceded the IBM 8100, announced in 1979.[2][3]

It was designed to be installed in branch offices, stores, subsidiaries, etc., and to be connected to the central host mainframe, using IBM Systems Network Architecture (SNA).

Although its successor's role in distributed data processing was said to be "a turning point in the general direction of worldwide computer development," the 3790 was described by Datamation in March 1979 as "less than successful."[2]

  1. ^ "New products". Computer. 7 (2): 52–56. February 1974. doi:10.1109/MC.1974.6323458. ISSN 0018-9162.
  2. ^ a b Woods, Larry (March 1979). "IBM's 8100: First Impressions". Datamation.
  3. ^ "(which can simulate 3790 functions through the DPCX operating system)"