【Oki Electric Industry】 OKITAC8300

The OKITAC8300 super minicomputer was announced in 1988 and featured higher performance based on a 32-bit architecture, expanded memory space (64 megabytes), virtual memory, and processing for multi-tasking, multiple users, networking, databases and online transactions.

At the time, in the middle of the 1980s, the industry was shifting from closed systems, with SNA-based vertical distribution centered on a host computer, to open horizontally distributed systems. This was due to progress in networking, the advent of the personal computer and computerization of a wide variety of work types. The OKITAC8300 was developed in response to these trends.

In terms of hardware, the OKITAC8300 was equipped with a 3.5 MIPS processor (and later a 5MIPS multi-processor) based on dedicated CMOS LSI, a 64 megabyte main memory unit, a high-capacity external memory unit, versatile communications control, and various features for RAS design and duplicated function. These machines were used as small-scale host computers, department computers and servers.

There were six models in the OKITAC8300 Series: the cabinet type (Models 38, 58 and 68) used primarily for mid-size/large systems, and the desk-side type (Models 32, 52 and 62) used primarily for small/mid-size system in offices. Users selected the appropriate type based on the size of the intended system, and factors like future expandability and setup conditions.