Here we go again:

https://ardent-tool.com/7561-62/Common.html
https://ardent-tool.com/7561-62/7562_Planar.html

A redesigned Model 70 planar with 4 slots, *two* of which have the AVE
extension? Where have I seen that before...

Yep, that's right! IBM Japan called and they want their 5550-T planars back:

https://ardent-tool.com/sandy55/5550/5550_386.html#Stage_1_Planar

The only difference seems to be the BIOS.

Gonna merge the two planar pages...

I'm turning Japanese, yes I'm turning Japanese, yes, I think so...

On 8/29/2021 07:06, Tomas Slavotinek wrote:
> Here we go again:
>
> https://ardent-tool.com/7561-62/Common.html
> https://ardent-tool.com/7561-62/7562_Planar.html
>
> A redesigned Model 70 planar with 4 slots, *two* of which have the AVE
> extension? Where have I seen that before...
>
> Yep, that's right! IBM Japan called and they want their 5550-T planars back:
>
> https://ardent-tool.com/sandy55/5550/5550_386.html#Stage_1_Planar
>
> The only difference seems to be the BIOS.
>
> Gonna merge the two planar pages...
>

♫ I'd like a million of 5550s all around myself ♪

On 29.8.2021 14:08, Louis Ohland wrote:
> I'm turning Japanese, yes I'm turning Japanese, yes, I think so...
>
> On 8/29/2021 07:06, Tomas Slavotinek wrote:
>> Here we go again:
>>
>> https://ardent-tool.com/7561-62/Common.html
>> https://ardent-tool.com/7561-62/7562_Planar.html
>>
>> A redesigned Model 70 planar with 4 slots, *two* of which have the AVE
>> extension? Where have I seen that before...
>>
>> Yep, that's right! IBM Japan called and they want their 5550-T planars
>> back:
>>
>> https://ardent-tool.com/sandy55/5550/5550_386.html#Stage_1_Planar
>>
>> The only difference seems to be the BIOS.
>>
>> Gonna merge the two planar pages...
>>

Pages merged...

(The two planar links from the original post now lead to the same place.)

On 29.8.2021 14:19, Tomas Slavotinek wrote:
> ♫ I'd like a million of 5550s all around myself ♪
>
> On 29.8.2021 14:08, Louis Ohland wrote:
>> I'm turning Japanese, yes I'm turning Japanese, yes, I think so...
>>
>> On 8/29/2021 07:06, Tomas Slavotinek wrote:
>>> Here we go again:
>>>
>>> https://ardent-tool.com/7561-62/Common.html
>>> https://ardent-tool.com/7561-62/7562_Planar.html
>>>
>>> A redesigned Model 70 planar with 4 slots, *two* of which have the AVE
>>> extension? Where have I seen that before...
>>>
>>> Yep, that's right! IBM Japan called and they want their 5550-T planars
>>> back:
>>>
>>> https://ardent-tool.com/sandy55/5550/5550_386.html#Stage_1_Planar
>>>
>>> The only difference seems to be the BIOS.
>>>
>>> Gonna merge the two planar pages...
>>>
>

On Sunday, August 29, 2021 at 7:45:23 AM UTC-6, Tomas Slavotinek wrote:
> Pages merged...
>
> (The two planar links from the original post now lead to the same place.)
> On 29.8.2021 14:19, Tomas Slavotinek wrote:
> > ♫ I'd like a million of 5550s all around myself ♪
> >
> > On 29.8.2021 14:08, Louis Ohland wrote:
> >> I'm turning Japanese, yes I'm turning Japanese, yes, I think so...
> >>
> >> On 8/29/2021 07:06, Tomas Slavotinek wrote:
> >>> Here we go again:
> >>>
> >>> https://ardent-tool.com/7561-62/Common.html
> >>> https://ardent-tool.com/7561-62/7562_Planar.html
> >>>
> >>> A redesigned Model 70 planar with 4 slots, *two* of which have the AVE
> >>> extension? Where have I seen that before...
> >>>
> >>> Yep, that's right! IBM Japan called and they want their 5550-T planars
> >>> back:
> >>>
> >>> https://ardent-tool.com/sandy55/5550/5550_386.html#Stage_1_Planar
> >>>
> >>> The only difference seems to be the BIOS.
> >>>
> >>> Gonna merge the two planar pages...
> >>>
> >

Having only the 7541/7542 (based on an unmodified 50Z planar), I only got to observe the 7561/7562 from a distance (Alfred Arnold has/had one, with a page of pictures). BTW, that means the 7541/7542 should be as easy to set up on the https://ardent-tool.com/7561-62/index.html page (renaming as necessary). Have we ever figured out the 75x1/75x2 differences?

The 7541/7542 uses a Model 70 drive platform, with a copper trace connection coming off slot 4 to go to the re-oriented DBA-ESDI drive, effectively just like the 55SX. The PSU for the 7541/7542 is exactly the same as the 7561/7562 - there is no side fan like the Model 70 PSU, but it has a two-pin connection for the system fan. I have a spare as of a couple of months ago when an eBay seller advertised it by FRU without knowing the system (after I told him, I felt it was worthwhile to pick one up) - pictures (PSU and HDD foil trace) will be forthcoming.

On 29.8.2021 23:20, IBMMuseum wrote:
> Having only the 7541/7542 (based on an unmodified 50Z planar), I only got to observe the 7561/7562 from a distance (Alfred Arnold has/had one, with a page of pictures). BTW, that means the 7541/7542 should be as easy to set up on the https://ardent-tool.com/7561-62/index.html page (renaming as necessary).

I can setup the index page in no time, but it would be nice to have some
actual content there... at least the announcement letter(s) and maybe
some photos (since the physical construction is what makes these things
unusual and interesting).

Have we ever figured out the 75x1/75x2 differences?

rack-mount vs regular desktop iirc

> The 7541/7542 uses a Model 70 drive platform, with a copper trace connection coming off slot 4 to go to the re-oriented DBA-ESDI drive, effectively just like the 55SX. The PSU for the 7541/7542 is exactly the same as the 7561/7562 - there is no side fan like the Model 70 PSU, but it has a two-pin connection for the system fan. I have a spare as of a couple of months ago when an eBay seller advertised it by FRU without knowing the system (after I told him, I felt it was worthwhile to pick one up) - pictures (PSU and HDD foil trace) will be forthcoming.

Nice!

> I can setup the index page in no time, but it would be nice to
> have some actual content there... at least the announcement
> letter(s) and maybe some photos (since the physical
> construction is what ​makes these things unusual and interesting)..

I figure that the rack-mount tray, PSU, fan assembly (there is of course a filter, but that can be shown along with the front panel), and drive platform are the "Common items" page.

>Have we ever figured out the 75x1/75x2 differences?
> rack-mount vs regular desktop iirc

Ok, as far as I know, that should be just in the rack-mount flanges and handles as differences...

On 30.8.2021 0:07, IBMMuseum wrote:
> I figure that the rack-mount tray, PSU, fan assembly (there is of course a filter, but that can be shown along with the front panel), and drive platform are the "Common items" page.

Yep. Aside from the shared PSU I wonder how different the 756x and 754x
chassis are (since if nothing else, the 756x planar has one extra
external slot).

>> Have we ever figured out the 75x1/75x2 differences?
>> rack-mount vs regular desktop iirc
>
> Ok, as far as I know, that should be just in the rack-mount flanges and handles as differences...

You would think so, but this IBM we are talking about... so who knows :-D

I've located the announcement letter for the 7561/7562 and the
difference between the two indeed is just the formfactor:

IBM Announcement Letter Number 189-043 says:
> The 7561 and the 7562 are identical in function and feature
> capacity; however, they differ in form. The 7561 is a bench-top
> system. The 7562 is designed to be installed in an industrial
> 19-inch rack.

How different the chassis is (if at all)? Dunno.

I assume you have the 7541 unit? Does it have a provision for the
rack-mount hardware?

I've moved the sub-index page (redirects added) and updated it with some
basic info and links about the 7541/7542 types.

I've also added announcement letters for both the 754x and the 756x.

https://ardent-tool.com/7541_42_61_62/

> How different the chassis is (if at all)? Dunno.

The pictures of Alfred's system appeared to show a desktop unit, therefore a 7561 - Yeah, there isn't many samples to work with.

> I assume you have the 7541 unit? Does it have
> a provision for the rack-mount hardware?

I was assuming that I have a 7542 rack-mount - there are no feet on the bottom of an otherwise rack-mount case. Today I can look over both the cover and chassis - they are in different places - and start taking pictures. As far as I know, it has all abilities to be rack-mounted.

On 30.8.2021 19:42, IBMMuseum wrote:
>> How different the chassis is (if at all)? Dunno.
>
> The pictures of Alfred's system appeared to show a desktop unit, therefore a 7561 - Yeah, there isn't many samples to work with.
>
>> I assume you have the 7541 unit? Does it have
>> a provision for the rack-mount hardware?
>
> I was assuming that I have a 7542 rack-mount - there are no feet on the bottom of an otherwise rack-mount case. Today I can look over both the cover and chassis - they are in different places - and start taking pictures. As far as I know, it has all abilities to be rack-mounted.
>
Yes please, gimme chocola... err photos!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIKqgE4BwAY