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

Consolidation of:

￿Operator controls

￿Hardware status reporting

￿Hardware message presentation

￿Operating system messages

￿Problem analysis and reporting

￿Licensed Internal Code (LIC) control and distribution

￿Remote I/O configuration and IOCDS management

￿Scheduled operations

The HMC communicates with the CPC through the Support Element (SE). When tasks are performed at the HMC, the commands are sent to one or more Support Elements which then issue commands to their CPCs. CPCs can be grouped at the HMC so that a single command can be passed along to as many as all of the CPCs defined to the HMC.

One Hardware Management Console can control up to 100 Support Elements, and one Support Element can be controlled by 32 Hardware Management Consoles. Refer to the examples shown in Figure A-1and Figure A-2 on page 235 for typical Hardware Management Console configurations.

HMC

LAN

HMC

zSeries

Figure A-1 Single CPC environment

234IBM eServer zSeries 990 Technical Guide

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IBM 990 manual Lan
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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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