Os400 vs As400: What’s the Difference?

If you are a business owner, then you may have heard of Os400 and As400. You may be wondering what the difference is between these two systems. In this blog post, we will discuss the Os400 vs As400. We will also provide information on which system is right for your business.

The IBM Power Series, which runs the IBM i operating system, has a long history. Certain phrases and jargon are likely to be “sticky” due to their longevity. The name AS/400 was given to the system when it debuted in 1988.

The AS400 operating system running on the Power platform today is called IBM i. Os400 is a legacy operating system that was used on older versions of the AS400 systems. As400 is the current operating system that is used on all AS400 systems. Os400 is not compatible with As400. If you have an Os400 system, you will need to upgrade to As400 to be compatible with the current AS400 systems.

Os400 vs As400
Os400 vs As400

What is Os400 OR IBM i?

The Os400 is a computer operating system for IBM Power Systems ( pronounced “i”). The IBM AS/400 series of computers used it as the primary operating system, and it was first released in 1988. In 2004, it was renamed i5/OS, and in 2008, it was renamed IBM i for the second time. It’s based on the System/38 CPF operating system, with compatibility layers for System/36 SSP and AIX applications. The Machine Interface, the implementation of object-based addressing on top of a single-level store, and the tight integration of a relational database into the operating system are all features imported from the System/38 platform.

Architecture of Os400

When IBM i was first launched as OS400, it was split into two layers: the hardware-dependent System Licensed Internal Code (SLIC) and the hardware-independent Extended Control Program Facility (XPF). TIMI is a hardwiring layer that separates these two components. A number of versions and enhancements were introduced later, including Portable Application Solutions Environment (formerly known as the Private Address Space Environment), which added an AIX compatibility layer, and Advanced 36 Machine environment for System/36 SSP applications in emulation. There are different types of layers in Os400 such as

1. TIMI

The TIMI isolates users and applications from the underlying hardware. This isolation is more thorough than other operating systems’ hardware abstractions, abstracting the processor’s instruction set architecture, the address space size, and I/O and persistence specifics. Through two linked mechanisms,

  • A Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) that virtualizes the underlying hardware
  • A Machine Interface (MI) that presents a consistent logical view of the system to users and applications

2. SLIC

The IBM Power architecture is used to create the SLIC, which contains the code that runs on top of it. It is also in charge of translating TIMI instructions into machine code and providing high-level features accessible through the TIMI, such as an integrated relational database in Os400. The V3R6 release of the System Storage Integrator (SLIC) is a software component that enables system storage in IBM i and can be used with any operating system. Combining the single-level store addressing scheme and the object-based storage model employed by IBM i gives rise to problems.

3. XPF

The Extended Control Program Facility (XPF) is a component of the Os400 operating system that provides tools and services for application development, system management, and data access. The XPF was first introduced in OS/400 V21R0M0 as a set of APIs for writing device drivers. In later versions, the XPF was expanded to include a set of application development tools, data access services, and system management tools. The XPF is written in the same programming language as the SLIC (i.e., POWER assembly language) and is therefore intimately tied to the operating system’s internals.

4. PASE

In May 2001, IBM released the Portable Application Solutions Environment (PASE), a set of tools and libraries that allow applications written for AIX to be run on Os400. PASE is based on the AIX operating system and is compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit versions of AIX. In addition to compatibility with AIX applications, PASE also provides several other benefits, such as the ability to run Linux applications on IBM i.

What is As400?

The term AS400 stands for “Application System/400”. It was designed as a business computer platform that integrated Database, applications and operating system. AS400 was created in 1988 by IBM. The first AS/400 model, the Model 200 was announced in June, 1988 and delivered in December, 1988.

AS/400 is a family of mid-range servers. AS400 Software are designed to be integrated servers, meaning they include not only the server hardware and operating system, but also database and application software. This makes them ideal for small to medium businesses that want an all-in-one solution for their computing needs.

There are three main types of AS/400 servers:

  • Power Systems: These are the most powerful AS/400 servers designed for large businesses that need high performance and scalability.
  • Integrated Servers: These are mid-range AS/400 servers that offer a good balance of power and price. They’re ideal for small to medium businesses that need an all-in-one solution.
  • Express Servers: These entry-level AS/400 servers are designed for small businesses on a budget. They offer basic functionality and can be expanded as needed.

Os400 vs As400: What’s the Difference?

Os400 and As400 are two business computer platforms created by IBM. The Os400 was created in 1988, while As400 was created in 2001. Let have a look at some major differences of Os400 vs As400:

Database management of Os400 and As400

The Os400 has an integrated relational database called IBM Db2 for IBM i. The AS400 database was developed from the non-relationship System/38 database and gained support for the relational model and SQL. The term “database support” was used to describe it initially.

The Os400 has two methods for connecting to the integrated database: the System/38-style native interface and SQL. The native interface uses a set of APIs known as the Database Requestor (DBR) to access data. The DBR is a low-level API that is not well suited for application development. SQL, on the other hand, is a high-level declarative language that is easy to use for application development.

Os400 also has a database management system, but it is not as sophisticated as the one in As400.

Application Development in Os400 vs As400

The Os400 includes a set of tools known as the Integrated Application Development Environment (IADE) for developing applications. The IADE is a graphical development environment that runs on Windows, Linux, and MacOS. It includes a set of tools for creating database objects, application programs, and user interfaces.

The IADE is based on the Eclipse platform and includes a set of plugins for development on Os400. The plugins provide access to IBM i specific resources, such as database objects and system API calls.

Where As400 does not have an integrated development environment like Os400. This makes Os400 much more suited for application development in battel of Os400 vs As400.

Operating System

The Os400 is based on the AIX operating system and is compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit versions of AIX. In addition to compatibility with AIX applications, PASE also provides several other benefits, such as the ability to run Linux applications on IBM i.

Os400 is based on the AIX operating system, while As400 is based on Linux. Os400 is compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit versions of AIX, while As400 is only compatible with 64-bit versions of Linux.

Pricing of Os400 vs. As400

As400 servers are available in several different configurations, starting at around $25,000. Os400 servers are available in several different configurations, but they start at around $40,000.

As400 is more expensive than Os400, but it offers more features and benefits. If you need an all-in-one solution for your business computing needs, As400 is the better choice. If you’re on a budget and only need basic functionality, Os400 is the better choice.

Storage

Os400 servers come with a minimum of 250 GB of storage. As400 servers come with a minimum of 500 GB of storage. Os400 can be expanded to accommodate up to 16 TB of data, while As400 can be expanded to accommodate up to 32 TB of data.

As400 has more storage than Os400, making it the better choice for businesses that need to store a lot of data. Os400 is a good choice for small businesses that don’t need to store a lot of data.

Security

Os400 comes with many security features, such as role-based access control and object-level security. As400 also comes with a number of security features, but it goes one step further by offering hardware-based encryption.

As400 is more secure than Os400, making it the better choice for businesses that need to protect their data. Os400 is a good choice for small businesses that don’t need to protect their data.

Networking in Os400 and As400

Os400 comes with a number of networking features, such as support for multiple network protocols and the ability to create virtual networks. As400 also comes with a number of networking features, but it goes one step further by offering hardware-based encryption.

As400 is more secure than Os400, making it the better choice for businesses that need to protect their data. Os400 is a good choice for small businesses that don’t need to protect their data.

Hardware integration

Os400 servers come with a number of integrated hardware options, such as storage controllers and network adapters. As400 servers also come with a number of integrated hardware options, but they go one step further by offering blade servers.

As400 is more integrated than Os400, making it the better choice for businesses that need to expand their computing capabilities. As the Os400 is a good choice for small businesses that don’t need to expand their computing capabilities.

Technology Independence of Os400 and As400

Os400 is based on the IBM Power platform, while As400 is based on the Intel x86 platform. The Os400 can run on any Power-based server, while As400 can only run on certain x86-based servers.

Os400 is more independent than As400, making it the better choice for businesses that need to expand their computing capabilities. The Os400 is a good choice for small businesses that don’t need to expand their computing capabilities.

Conclusion

As you can see, Os400 vs As400 both are different types of servers. In conclusion, Os400 is the better choice for businesses that need a more robust and feature-rich solution. As400 is the better choice for businesses that need a more secure and integrated solution. If you’re on a budget, Os400 is the better choice. If you need an all-in-one solution, As400 is the better choice.

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