Draft Document for Review April 7, 2004 6:15 pm

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Chapter 1. IBM zSeries 990 overview

This chapter gives a high-level view of the IBM Eserver zSeries 990. All the topics mentioned in this chapter are discussed in greater detail later in this book.

The legacy of zSeries goes back more than 40 years. Actually, on April 7th, 2004 it was 40 years ago that IBM introduced it’s S/360. Since then, mainframes have followed a path of innovation with a focus on evolution to help protect investments made through the years.

The proliferation of servers in the last decade or so has increased complexity in IT management and operations and decreased the overall efficiency of resource use. On top of this came the need for business solutions to support business pressures on demand, that requires an on demand operating environment capable of being supportive, adaptive, and responsive to on demand business objectives and offering infrastructure simplification with the values of the mainframe technology as set forward with zSeries 990.

The zSeries 990 is designed for any enterprise that needs the qualities of service required to sustain and expand their on demand computing environment. Customers requiring the ability to meet mission-critical requirements that include unexpected demands, high numbers of transactions, a heterogeneous application environment, and the ability to consolidate a number of servers will find the z990 an attractive solution since it leverages the current application portfolio with Linux and z/OS, and simplifies the operation and management of business applications by consolidating both Linux and mainframe applications onto the same platform.

Customers with 9672 and z900 should consider using this server to consolidate servers and workloads, add capacity, or expand their Linux workloads in a more cost-effective manner. The increased capacity, bandwidth, number of channels and logical partitions provide customers with the ability to reduce costs, while positioning them for future expansion.

The z990 is based on the proven IBM z/Architecture™ which was first introduced with the z900 family of servers. It is the continuation of the zSeries z/Architecture evolution and extends key platform characteristics with enhanced dynamic and flexible resource management, scalability and partitioning of predictable and unpredictable workload environments. Additionally, the z990 availability, clustering, and Qualities of Service are built on the superior foundation of the current zSeries technologies.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2004. All rights reserved.

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IBM manual IBM zSeries 990 overview
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990 specifications

The IBM 990 series, often referred to in the context of IBM's pioneering efforts in the realm of mainframe computing, represents a unique chapter in the history of information technology. Introduced in the late 1960s, the IBM 990 series was designed as a powerful tool for enterprise-level data processing and scientific calculations, showcasing the company's commitment to advancing computing capabilities.

One of the main features of the IBM 990 was its architecture, which was built to support a wide range of applications, from business processing to complex scientific computations. The system employed a 32-bit word length, which was advanced for its time, allowing for more flexible and efficient data handling. CPUs in the IBM 990 series supported multiple instructions per cycle, which contributed significantly to the overall efficiency and processing power of the machines.

The technology behind the IBM 990 was also notable for its use of solid-state technology. This provided a shift away from vacuum tube systems that were prevalent in earlier computing systems, enhancing the reliability and longevity of the hardware. The IBM 990 series utilized core memory, which was faster and more reliable than the magnetic drum memory systems that had been standard up to that point.

Another defining characteristic of the IBM 990 was its extensibility. Organizations could configure the machine to suit their specific needs by adding memory, storage, and peripheral devices as required. This modular approach facilitated the growth of systems alongside the technological and operational demands of the business environments they served.

In terms of software, the IBM 990 series was compatible with a variety of operating systems and programming environments, including FORTRAN and COBOL, enabling users to access a broader array of applications. This versatility was a significant advantage, making the IBM 990 an appealing choice for educational institutions, research facilities, and enterprises alike.

Moreover, the IBM 990 was engineered to support multiprocessing, which allowed multiple processes to run simultaneously, further increasing its effectiveness in tackling complex computing tasks.

In summary, the IBM 990 series represents a significant advancement in computing technology during the late 20th century. With a robust architecture, versatile configuration options, and a focus on solid-state technology, the IBM 990 facilitated substantial improvements in data processing capabilities, making it a cornerstone for many businesses and academic institutions of its time. Its impact can still be seen today in the continued evolution of mainframe computing.
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