The IBM 3705 Communications Controller is a simple computer which attaches to an IBM System/360 or System/370. Its purpose is to connect communication lines to the mainframe channel. It was a first communications controller of the popular IBM 37xx series. It was announced in March 1972. Designed for semiconductor memory which was not ready at the time of announcement, the 3705-I had to use 1.2 microsecond core storage; the later 3705-II uses 1.0 microsecond SRAM. Monolithic System Technology components, similar to those in S/370, were used... The 3705 normally occupies a single frame two feet wide and three feet deep. Up to three expansion frames can be attached for a theoretical capacity of 352 half-duplex lines and two independent channel adapters.
Wow. Anyone have any idea what it does? =o
The IBM 3705 Communications Controller is a simple computer which attaches to an IBM System/360 or System/370. Its purpose is to connect communication lines to the mainframe channel. It was a first communications controller of the popular IBM 37xx series. It was announced in March 1972. Designed for semiconductor memory which was not ready at the time of announcement, the 3705-I had to use 1.2 microsecond core storage; the later 3705-II uses 1.0 microsecond SRAM. Monolithic System Technology components, similar to those in S/370, were used.
I think that all of us who love IBM keyboards should have a corner of a room set up to look like the command center of an old IBM mainframe. It must include a desk with an IBM typewriter and/or funky period monitor. And if you don't have a beamspring, at least an F-122.So please tell me you have made one of these somewhere. That would be so cool!
And definitely a phone. There was always a phone. People assumed it was there to call a system admin or some other IT staff people, but it was actually so you could call your friends and say, "You should see how cool this is!" and describe it to them.Show Image(http://i.iinfo.cz/images/357/ibm-4-5.jpg)
(Note the panel in that 370 similar to this one, but in a wider format.)
but knowing how long some IBM hardware stays running, there might be a 370 out there still in use that needs spare parts.
But what for?! XDNot sure, but something tells me it was a replacement part in some underground military bunker, lol.
And don't tell me a 3705 control unit :P .
I really need to next time i'm up in washington. Even if it is knowledge that does not have a wide use anymore, i really hate it when any kind of history is lost, who knows if it will ever be needed again. The internet kind of gives a false sense of security of knowledge but so much is still undocumented, and as much as everyone says what gets put up on the internet is there forever it really isn't, all it takes is one server to go down, or even a hard drive with data that is seeming unimportant die to lose a lot.Wow, I couldn't have worded it any better--I think exactly like you on this subject. Glad to know I'm not the only one. :D