What is a Mainframe?
June 14, 2007 13:15 Filed in:
Technology 3.0
In the next few articles, we will take a deep dive into how data centers can be made more reliable and less expensive. Since mainframe design is an important part of this discussion, there will be frequent mention of the mainframe in future articles. In this article, we attempt to grok the term "mainframe".
Let's start of by pointing out that while I will often cite IBM and it's products when describing the historical development of the mainframe, the mainframe is not proprietary to IBM. Quite to the contrary, I believe the mainframe design, inclusive of IBM's innovation, represents the most effective effort to "get technology right" for general business and scientific computing purposes.
As I have stated in a prior article on the mainframe computing model, the transition from mainframe technology to networked PC Server technology, was typically not a quest for better technology. Instead, companies that purchased networked PC Servers were generally seeking a better computing buying model. Companies found that servers enabled them to grow rapidly without pain because of opportunities to add capacity and new features at lower cost. In contrast, those same companies felt increasing apprehension about their mainframe investments, as changing business requirements and increases in business output always led to higher mainframe costs.
The first modern mainframe was very
likely the IBM System/370. It's predecessor, System/360, IBM had
proved to be a reliable, general purpose computer. Up until that
time, computer reliability was a challenge as the number of
tkkkkkkw to computing as relativily new concept in the industry.
and System/370 platforms introduced the concept of standards based
interchangeable components that could be used to build systems of
varying configurations and capacity. System/370 offered advances
over the System/360 that made it a true general purpose platform
for business and scientific solutions.
With System/370, IBM made improvements to the core components that we consider essential in a computer, i.e. storage, processing and peripherals. But IBM's innovation was not limited to hardware. The S/370 provided full backward compatibility with the prior generation S/360. The combination of S/370 technology with proven compatibility meant companies and industries could invest in computer technology without fear that their investments would lose value due to obsolescence. IBM's corporate strength and its concept of investment preservation through compatibility ensured, for the first time, that an investment in technology could be as enduring as a purchase of a new building.
Contrary to what is often thought, IBM's compatibility was not limited to IBM equipment. The standards IBM set enabled other companies to build not only IBM compatible peripherals, but complete IBM compatible mainframes. While it is not accurate to characterize the IBM of the 70's and 80's as an 'open' company, it can be said that IBM's commitment to standards made possible the platform upon which the mainframe industry was based.
The mainframe evolved rapidly over the years. By the mid '80s, most of the computer technologies we know today (and look forward to in PC Servers) were shipping in mainframe computers. Here is a quick list of the essential mainframe technologies:
Key Mainframe Business Computer Features
▪ Field Replaceable Units
▪ Software Compatibility
▪ Relational Database
▪ Caching
▪ Processor Virtualization
▪ Storage Virtualization
▪ Application Lifecycle Support
▪ High Availability
▪ System Clustering
IBM Model z9 BC system description (Infotech)
to be continued ...
For more information see:
X86 Mainframe
Revisiting the Mainframe Utility Computing Model
With System/370, IBM made improvements to the core components that we consider essential in a computer, i.e. storage, processing and peripherals. But IBM's innovation was not limited to hardware. The S/370 provided full backward compatibility with the prior generation S/360. The combination of S/370 technology with proven compatibility meant companies and industries could invest in computer technology without fear that their investments would lose value due to obsolescence. IBM's corporate strength and its concept of investment preservation through compatibility ensured, for the first time, that an investment in technology could be as enduring as a purchase of a new building.
Contrary to what is often thought, IBM's compatibility was not limited to IBM equipment. The standards IBM set enabled other companies to build not only IBM compatible peripherals, but complete IBM compatible mainframes. While it is not accurate to characterize the IBM of the 70's and 80's as an 'open' company, it can be said that IBM's commitment to standards made possible the platform upon which the mainframe industry was based.
The mainframe evolved rapidly over the years. By the mid '80s, most of the computer technologies we know today (and look forward to in PC Servers) were shipping in mainframe computers. Here is a quick list of the essential mainframe technologies:
Key Mainframe Business Computer Features
▪ Field Replaceable Units
▪ Software Compatibility
▪ Relational Database
▪ Caching
▪ Processor Virtualization
▪ Storage Virtualization
▪ Application Lifecycle Support
▪ High Availability
▪ System Clustering
IBM Model z9 BC system description (Infotech)
to be continued ...
For more information see:
X86 Mainframe
Revisiting the Mainframe Utility Computing Model
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