Box: N. 1. A Computer; Esp. In The Construction `foo Box' Where Foo Is Some Functional Qualifier, Like `graphics', Or The Name Of An OS (thus, `UNIX Box', `MS-DOS Box', Etc.

Box: N. 1. A Computer; Esp. In The Construction `foo Box' Where Foo Is Some Functional Qualifier, Like `graphics', Or The Name Of An OS (thus, `UNIX Box', `MS-DOS Box', Etc.

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:box: n. 1. A computer; esp. in the construction `foo box'
where foo is some functional qualifier, like `graphics', or
the name of an OS (thus, `UNIX box', `MS-DOS box', etc.) "We
preprocess the data on UNIX boxes before handing it up to the
mainframe." 2. [IBM] Without qualification but within an
SNA-using site, this refers specifically to an IBM front-end
processor or FEP /F-E-P/. An FEP is a small computer necessary
to enable an IBM {mainframe} to communicate beyond the limits of
the {dinosaur pen}. Typically used in expressions like the cry
that goes up when an SNA network goes down: "Looks like the
{box} has fallen over." (See {fall over}.) See also
{IBM}, {fear and loathing}, {fepped out}, {Blue
Glue}.
-- The AI Hackers Dictionary

Related:

box n. 1. A computer; esp. in the construction `foo box' where foo is some functional qualifier, like `graphics', or the name of an OS (thus, `Unix box', `MS-DOS box', etc.
) "We preprocess the data on Unix boxes before handing it up to the mainframe....
Blue Glue: [IBM] n. IBM's SNA (Systems Network Architecture), an incredibly {losing} and {bletcherous} communications protocol widely favored at commercial shops that don't know any better.
The official IBM definition is "that which binds blue boxes together....
fepped out: /fept owt/ adj. The Symbolics 3600 LISP Machine has a Front-End Processor called a `FEP' (compare sense 2 of {box}).
When the main processor gets {wedged}, the FEP takes control of the keyboard and screen....
Blue Glue n. [IBM] IBM's SNA (Systems Network Architecture), an incredibly losing and bletcherous communications protocol widely favored at commercial shops that don't know any better.
The official IBM definition is "that which binds blue boxes together....
bitty box: /bit'ee boks/ n. 1. A computer sufficiently small, primitive, or incapable as to cause a hacker acute claustrophobia at the thought of developing software on or for it.
Especially used of small, obsolescent, single-tasking-only personal machines such as the Atari 800, Osborne, Sinclair, VIC-20, TRS-80, or IBM PC....
Big Red Switch: [IBM] n. The power switch on a computer, esp.
he `Emergency Pull' switch on an IBM {mainframe} or the power switch on an IBM PC where it really is large and red....
dinosaur: n. 1. Any hardware requiring raised flooring and special power.
Used especially of old minis and mainframes, in contrast with newer microprocessor-based machines....
bitty box /bit'ee boks/ n. 1. A computer sufficiently small, primitive, or incapable as to cause a hacker acute claustrophobia at the thought of developing software on or for it.
Especially used of small, obsolescent, single-tasking-only personal machines such as the Atari 800, Osborne, Sinclair, VIC-20, TRS-80, or IBM PC....
oaster: n. 1. The archetypal really stupid application for an embedded microprocessor controlle
often used in comments that imply that a scheme is inappropriate technology (but see {elevator controller})....