iron

( n.)

   Hardware,  especially  older and larger hardware of {mainframe} class
   with  big  metal  cabinets housing relatively low-density electronics
   (but  the  term  is also used of modern supercomputers). Often in the
   phrase {big iron}. Oppose {silicon}. See also {dinosaur}.

[glossary]
[Reference(s) to this entry by made by: {silicon}]