Difference between revisions of "Mainframe"
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| − | A mainframe is the central data repository, or hub, in a corporation's data processing center, linked to users through less powerful devices such as workstations or terminals. The presence of a mainframe often implies a centralized form of computing, as opposed to a distributed form of computing. Centralizing the data in a single mainframe repository saves customers from having to manage updates to more than one copy of their business data, which increases the likelihood that the data is current. | + | A mainframe is the central [[data]] repository, or hub, in a corporation's data processing center, linked to users through less powerful devices such as workstations or terminals. The presence of a mainframe often implies a centralized form of computing, as opposed to a distributed form of computing. Centralizing the data in a single mainframe repository saves customers from having to manage updates to more than one copy of their [[business]] data, which increases the likelihood that the data is current. |
| − | Although the term mainframe first described the physical characteristics of early systems, today it can best be used to describe a style of operation, applications, and operating system facilities. The term mainframe has, clearly, expanded beyond merely describing the physical characteristics of a system. Instead, the word typically applies to some combination of the following attributes: | + | Although the term mainframe first described the physical characteristics of early systems, today it can best be used to describe a style of operation, applications, and operating [[system]] facilities. The term mainframe has, clearly, expanded beyond merely describing the physical characteristics of a system. Instead, the word typically applies to some combination of the following attributes: |
*Compatibility with mainframe operating systems, applications, and data. | *Compatibility with mainframe operating systems, applications, and data. | ||
| − | *Centralized control of resources. | + | *Centralized [[control]] of resources. |
| − | *Hardware and operating systems that can share access to disk drives with other systems, with automatic locking and protection against destructive simultaneous use of disk data. | + | *[[Hardware]] and operating systems that can share access to disk drives with other systems, with automatic locking and protection against destructive simultaneous use of disk data. |
| − | *A style of operation, often involving dedicated operations staff who use detailed operations procedure books and highly organized procedures for backups, recovery, training, and disaster recovery at an alternative location. | + | *A style of operation, often involving dedicated operations staff who use detailed operations procedure books and highly organized procedures for backups, recovery, training, and [[disaster recovery]] at an alternative location. |
*Hardware and operating systems that routinely work with hundreds or thousands of simultaneous I/O operations. | *Hardware and operating systems that routinely work with hundreds or thousands of simultaneous I/O operations. | ||
| − | *Clustering technologies that allow the customer to operate multiple copies of the operating system as a single system. This configuration, known as Parallel Sysplex®, is analogous in concept to a UNIX cluster, but allows systems to be added or removed as needed, while applications continue to run. This flexibility allows mainframe customers to introduce new applications, or discontinue the use of existing applications, in response to changes in business activity. | + | *Clustering technologies that allow the [[customer]] to operate multiple copies of the operating system as a single system. This configuration, known as Parallel Sysplex®, is analogous in concept to a UNIX cluster, but allows systems to be added or removed as needed, while applications continue to run. This flexibility allows mainframe customers to introduce new applications, or discontinue the use of existing applications, in response to changes in business activity. |
*Additional data and resource sharing capabilities. In a Parallel Sysplex, for example, it is possible for users across multiple systems to access the same databases concurrently, with database access controlled at the record level.<ref>Definition - What is the meaning of Mainframe? [https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/zosbasics/com.ibm.zos.zmainframe/zconc_whatismainframe.htm IBM]</ref> | *Additional data and resource sharing capabilities. In a Parallel Sysplex, for example, it is possible for users across multiple systems to access the same databases concurrently, with database access controlled at the record level.<ref>Definition - What is the meaning of Mainframe? [https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/zosbasics/com.ibm.zos.zmainframe/zconc_whatismainframe.htm IBM]</ref> | ||
Latest revision as of 16:54, 6 February 2021
A mainframe is the central data repository, or hub, in a corporation's data processing center, linked to users through less powerful devices such as workstations or terminals. The presence of a mainframe often implies a centralized form of computing, as opposed to a distributed form of computing. Centralizing the data in a single mainframe repository saves customers from having to manage updates to more than one copy of their business data, which increases the likelihood that the data is current.
Although the term mainframe first described the physical characteristics of early systems, today it can best be used to describe a style of operation, applications, and operating system facilities. The term mainframe has, clearly, expanded beyond merely describing the physical characteristics of a system. Instead, the word typically applies to some combination of the following attributes:
- Compatibility with mainframe operating systems, applications, and data.
- Centralized control of resources.
- Hardware and operating systems that can share access to disk drives with other systems, with automatic locking and protection against destructive simultaneous use of disk data.
- A style of operation, often involving dedicated operations staff who use detailed operations procedure books and highly organized procedures for backups, recovery, training, and disaster recovery at an alternative location.
- Hardware and operating systems that routinely work with hundreds or thousands of simultaneous I/O operations.
- Clustering technologies that allow the customer to operate multiple copies of the operating system as a single system. This configuration, known as Parallel Sysplex®, is analogous in concept to a UNIX cluster, but allows systems to be added or removed as needed, while applications continue to run. This flexibility allows mainframe customers to introduce new applications, or discontinue the use of existing applications, in response to changes in business activity.
- Additional data and resource sharing capabilities. In a Parallel Sysplex, for example, it is possible for users across multiple systems to access the same databases concurrently, with database access controlled at the record level.[1]