A new Mass Storage Control Processor (MSCP) with twice the computing speed, twice the memory, but occupying a fraction of the physical space occupied by the old processor, started work in the NCAR Computer Room in February 1996.The new computer, which replaces the old IBM 3090, is an IBM 9672 mainframe, model R21. It uses Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) technology, making it faster and smaller than the older model. It is 100% air cooled.
The new machine supports the IBM Enterprise System CONnection (ESCON) architecture. ESCON will enable the NCAR Mass Storage System to deploy higher-speed storage devices that will have data transfer rates in the 9-17 megabyte-per-second range.
Mass Storage System interfaces for users have not been changed.