Also known as the "Z-Machine" for its processor, the Commodore 900 was
another foray into business computing that never left port. Classified
as a mainframe computer, the 900 runs a flavor of UNIX called "Coherent"
in order to lend it the multi-tasking, multi-user capabilities it needs
for this market.
According to other reports, the Commodore 900 (also called the Z-8000 on early design materials), came in two varieties: a server and a workstation. The workstation has the high video capabilities lacking in the server, which was heftier in memory and disk space. Although labeled "Workstation", my server has a seperate unidentified daughterboard (?), the server text video port, and the numerous RS232 ports for networking with Workstations. Unlabeled, my workstation has the high-power video port, and fewer RS232 ports.
The documentation I have on Coherent is extensive. It describes a fully functional UNIX OS with a complete "emacs", grep, awk, as, ed, and many other features.
Ports:
Keyboard: Full-sized 99 key QWERTY
Here is a view of the ports of my workstation. From left to right, they
are: Unknown (RGBI?), Hi-res video, (next row): Parallel Printer, RS232C,
RS232C, IEEE-488. On the front is the keyboard port.
Personal Note:These machines were acquired through
lucky internet happenstance. A wonderful German fellow named
Claus Schoenleber had TWO of these beauties, and was willing to part
with them! God bless him! Unfortunately, this machine, like all the
other German CBM-II machines I own, will not power up. It's definitely
the power supplies fault, but I do not understand it.
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