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May 6, 2012

Essay: Computer Architecture: IBM z9 Mainframe

Filed under: System Programming — Tags: , , , — admin @ 3:37 am

Introduction

The IBM System z9 is a line of mainframes that was introduced by IBM in 2005. With System z9 IBM replaced its previous its zSeries lines of server bringing the zSeries as well as eSeries naming convention to an end. It provides a strong combination of mainframe characteristics from past systems combined with new functionalities which were designed around scalability, availability and security. The System z9 further evolves the previous versions of mainframes by resolving memory, processor and channel constraints present in previous systems while still remaining backward compatible. It extends and provides key platform characteristics such as flexible and dynamic partitioning, resource management in unpredictable workload environments, provides scalability, availability as well as system and security management. It is also the last series of mainframes based on z/Architecture.

Today’s businesses, have begun their transformation toward on-demand business model, which has enabled them to predict and respond to changes by being dynamic and flexible,  to lower cost while managing risks, and, gain greater transparency and control along with less complicated management.  For this, they need a solution which would not only offer them an enhanced and flexible performance but also allow them to handle to perform their functions at a minimum cost.

The System z9 system offers an extensive selection of granularity with regards to capacity as well as a new specialty processor feature which not only allow businesses to align their priorities and processes but also enables them to deploy their workload at a much low cost of ownership. The System z9 mainframes have been built by using an approach which not only signifies the importance of the system as a whole but also emphasizes the interdependence of its components.  This synergetic design and development approach enables the components of System z9 to support each other while contributing towards delivering additional values to businesses.

IBM, till now, has released two models for its System z9 series of mainframes.

The System z9 Enterprise Class is designed for large organizations and provides transactional performance that is double of the most powerful configuration of its predecessor, the zSeries z990. It is available in 5 configurations. The System z9 Business Class is a mid range system which provides a lower cost of acquisition with significantly improved performance that is twice of zSeries z890. This model is available in two configurations (Ogden, Gasparovic, & White, 2007).

This paper will provide a detailed description of System z9 architecture. It will provide information about z/Architecture and will discuss the system structure and its components in detail. Topics covered in this paper will include Books, Memory, Frames, I/O system, Channel Subsystem as well as Instruction-set and Memory Addressing.

 

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May 3, 2012

A Mainframe Computer! What Is It?

Filed under: System Programming — Tags: , — admin @ 5:35 am

Mainframe computers are large computers typically used to run complex applications involving data processing in gigantic amounts. The name arose in association to the arrival of smaller pc’s which were named as minicomputers, primarily to put a distinction between them all.

Capabilities and usage:

Mainframe computer systems are primarily used as servers which are designed for storing large quantities of data, sustaining a vast amount of processes and input/output devices to provide multiple users with the information they will need all at the same time. They are able to achieve this by properly allocating their resources. These machines can run non-stop for years with repairs and maintenance carried out without closing them down.

Most mainframes nowadays possess the functionality to host a amount of operating systems allowing them to function like multiple computers or “virtual machines”. In this case, one mainframe can replace any number of personal computers thereby reducing related costs and giving far greater scalability and uniformity. The scalability is obtained by re-allocating the hardware resources among the virtual machines as required, and the consistency is enhanced since the hardware redundancy can be eradicated. This can also be done with PCs but it’s a little more complex. As an illustration, adding a disk drive to the PC requires it to get powered down not to mention their hardware limitations. A mainframe can provide the much needed power that these are known for, and the adaptability of PC networks.

Mainframe birth

The birth of the mainframe took place during the 1950s with the arrival of your IBM 700/7000 series. From that time there has been a succession of mainframe models from IBM and other makers alike. But like each and every fresh innovation, the mainframe has it’s share of drawbacks – it’s main one is it’s high price.

As the pc technology progressed, businesses found that microcomputer based servers may very well be utilized at a far lesser cost than a mainframe. Because of this, work stations that used to interrelate with mainframe systems were slowly substituted with personal computers. The demand went on a steady decline and mainframe systems were just confined to institutions requiring enormous data processing capabilities. Industry analysts thought the mainframe was a vanishing market as mainframes were being steadily substituted by cheaper but powerful pc systems.

However, in the 1990s big companies found a brand new life for their mainframes – the World Wide Web came to the rescue. They realized that a mainframe can be utilized as a web server which would take on the equivalent of many hundreds inter-connected personal computers. And now the cost is very much lower regarding power usage and management. The downtrend began to reverse.

Mainframe access is slowly but surely increasing and another reason for it was the arrival of the Linux operating system coming on to the scene. Linux is one of the few operating systems which can run on mainframes either directly or in a virtual machine. This permitted the mainframes to benefit from the work of various PC developers.

At the present The mainframe keeps on growing when it comes to it’s capacity and the scale of its installations. Perceptions are gradually changing as shown by their inclusion into the world of the web. The mainframe computer has proven its capability to deliver an increasing array of information technology services at a reasonable cost.

This article doesnt cover everything involved, but hopefully, I have given you an insight in to what is involved. You can find plenty of ebooks and such stuff on the internet. I always go to a company called Data Recovery London or Serviceteam. They don’t just repair computers, they also provide IT support also and they will always be helpfull if you get at a complete loss on anything.

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