【Toshiba】 OS-VII for the TP90 Series

OS-VII was the operating system for the TP90 computer series. The TP90 series of computers were sold as host computers that could be used as the core of new systems replacing mainframes. They were also capable of highly efficient data processing while implementing advanced load distribution between the host computer and personal computers/workstations in a network.

OS-VII’s main features were as follows.

  • (1) The operating system had an OLTP function (collaborative decentralized OLTP) with a new distribution model, in which terminal window processing functions, which determined terminal input and display methods, and file functions (transaction processing functions), which accessed and modified data in files on a host computer, were split between multiple computers on a network.
  • (2) The TP90 office computers were highly scalable, using a tightly coupled method of connecting computer CPUs on an internal bus so that up to six processors could be used and having the capacity to connect up to four computers on a high-speed external bus (an add-on architecture).
  • (3) OS-VII was a highly reliable operating system, having the ability to continue business processes in the event of a memory or CPU failure by isolating the failed component and supporting redundant disks so that restore operations could take place in the event of a disk failure while continuing active business processes.
  • (4) The operating system offered parallel processing, which followed procedures stipulating multiple jobs, and a job network function, which made the auto execution of recovery tasks possible.
  • (5) OS-VII had central management functions for groups of distributed processing computers and operational management functions such as personal computer/workstation software delivery functions.
  • (6) OS-VII supported TCIP/IP for connections with UNIX computers and personal computers/workstations.