How AS400/IBM iSeries has changed over the years

 The AS/400, is extensively used in big firms at the departmental level, small businesses, governmental organizations, and practically every industrial sector. Understanding the journey of these products, and comparing AS/400 and iSeries is like comparing apples and oranges. Just to be more accurate, it's like comparing hardware and software, it has been made more clear with its history. Most people and IT professionals assume that the IBM iSeries and AS/400 are two separate variants of the same technology. As a result, this has created a huge misunderstanding regarding these products in the market and has become an obstacle to the digital transformation for the organizations and businesses that are involved or considering using the IBM technology.

This happens on a somewhat regular basis. Even though mobile devices have few similarities to the conventional phone of a previous age, most of us carry around small devices in our pockets that we still refer to as "phones." A series of flat, electrical burners can still be called a stove, even if they have progressed greatly from the first cast-iron stoves. We continue to use — and occasionally misinterpret — the names of these well-known products, though.

How many programmers/developers in your area are familiar with or interested in learning about the AS400 computer system? Perhaps only a few, or perhaps none at all. Although the AS400 is regarded as obsolete, the latest IBM Power Systems and IBM iSeries systems are still among the most stable and reliable system architectures in use today. The IBM Power Series has a prolonged tendency to run the IBM I operating system. With a long history comes a collection of vocabulary and terms that can become "consistent."

History of AS/400

You must know what AS stands for if you are unfamiliar with the technology. It stands for application system and is simplified as such. As the name suggests it is based on applications and not on the processor. It was first introduced in 1988. Before AS/400, IBM launched product line-system32, system 34, and system 36.RPG was one of the initial languages supported by the system and then the following year's new versions were introduced as the systems got updated. It is now available in a variety of sets, including RPG IV, OVM, and ILE.

 Other AS400 variants gradually became available:

 In the year 2000, AS400 was renamed iSeries.

The iSeries was rebranded as IBM System I in 2006.

All System i and p series devices were redesigned and relaunched as IBM Power Systems in 2008.

 The IBM iSeries is in use today.

 As a result, we believe that, in addition to IBMi, AS400 systems may run numerous instances of AIX, Linux, Lotus Domino, Microsoft Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003. Furthermore, Windows can handle and can approach all internal single-processor blade servers and externally linked multiple-processor blade servers. Not only that, but AS400 has several other essential qualities that have helped it become so successful.

 Why can't IBM I and AS/400 be compared?

 As mentioned above AS/400 was introduced in 1988, and its main purpose was intended to be a mid-range computer system for the sector. It was launched with its operating system: OS/400 at the time. The physical machine known as the AS/400 evolved over the next 30 years. It was first known as the eServer iSeries, before being renamed simply "System i." The latest generation of hardware has been dubbed the "Power Systems" series, however, it is more commonly referred to as the "Power Series." In brief one can say that the AS/400 is a physical server that relates to the late 1980s. The Power Series, which is today's version of the AS/400, uses IBM I as its operating system.

  Why Is There Still So Much Confusion?

 IBM has worked hard to ensure that all of its operating systems and hardware are backward compatible, ensuring that applications designed for the AS/400 running OS/400 can operate on today's modern machines. This is a fantastic feature that exemplifies the Power Series line's robustness. However, it also implies that certain modes of discussing technology continue even as technology evolves. Some experts and tech-savvy individuals, in particular, have spent a lot of time working with IBM's technology and have become conditioned to talking about AS/400 applications. Many, who arrived later at the tech company, talk about apps created for IBM I, particularly when addressing hybrid or public cloud applications.

  Is IBM Technology Still Relevant?

 The AS400, now known as IBM I, has been modernized and changed to reflect current technologies. Data security and authenticity are still developed on the AS400 platform; it proves to be crucial. Financial, commerce, banking, manufacturing, and transportation, among other industries, are modernizing legacy technology. Many individuals have said that the AS/400 is "dead," and it's accurate that IBM's server market has suffered diminishing profitability over the past. This, though, ignores the relative strength of IBM servers. We've been able to significantly reduce the number of servers required in our data centers by over 90% over the years - with a significant reduction in electricity expenses, to boot. These financial results also don't take into consideration the range of companies who run their workloads on IBM in the cloud in data centers like ours or IBM's. For example, according to Help Systems' 2019 IBM I Marketplace Survey, a lot of firms intend to expand their IBM I presence.

 Many companies are also migrating their apps to IBM I usually as part of a hybrid cloud strategy. The industry for IBM I environments is still robust, even though the AS/400 is an aging technology that has been surpassed. So, what does this mean for you and your company? It's important to think about cloud possibilities and your overall digital transformation.