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Cutting Edge Technologies (1984) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

The Evolution of Computer Systems
Pages 21-26

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 21...
... The management of massive data bases to which many people need quick access requires a lot of computational power, and once these data bases are on-line, business growth typically drives the demand for workstation access to them even higher. Today's state-of-the-art IBM 3380 stores 6,000 times more information per area of disk surface at 150 times less cost per characterthan did the first disk storage unit announced by IBM in 1956.
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From page 22...
... Continuous speech of high complexity has been understood by a computer at IBM with greater than 90 percent accuracy, but the required computational power is still uneconomically large. Increased performance, specialized hardware, and improved techniques will enable speech-recognition functions to he commonly integrated into workstations in the coming decade.
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From page 23...
... These systems consist of intelligent workstations accessing common storage and printing devices called file servers and printer servers. A file server provides disk space for stations that are not equipped with hard disks and allows storage, retrieval, and sharing of files.
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From page 24...
... Eventually, it is expected that all CMU students, faculty, researchers, and professional staff will have access to personal-computer workstations that are effectively 20 to 100 times more powerful than current home computers. Each will also have access to shared, central data bases through a high-speed, local-area network.
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From page 25...
... An LAN can be defined as any information transportation system that provides for the high-speed connection between users within a single building or a campus complex, through a common wiring system, a common communications adapter, a common access protocol to allow connection between users, and common shared resources, such as the largest files and the most powerful printers. Several LAN approaches are in contention, including IBM's token ring architecture.
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From page 26...
... This will increase the need for gateways that can bridge between both these different local forms and between local and wide-area communications systems. As the success of data base/data communications applications spurs the rapid growth of intelligent, programmable workstations, the personal computer and the data terminal are beginning to merge.
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Key Terms

  • computational power
  • token ring
  • data devices
  • shared resources
  • printer servers

  • personal computer
  • file servers
  • data networks
  • lan approaches
  • communications network

  • continued improvements
  • traditional pbx
  • geographically distributed
  • access protocol
  • server provides

  • commercial customers
  • network grew
  • engineering locations
  • telecommunications environment
  • external telecommunications

  • larger host
  • common wiring
  • accessing common
  • pbx functions
  • computer users

  • cycles required
  • disk space
  • workstation access
  • access requires
  • standard interfaces


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