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

seen as overkill. Thus a requirement for those users has been to lower the cost of acquisition by offering an alternative solution. The integrated 3270 Console support meets that requirement.

On the HMC workspace there is now an icon to open this 3270 window. It is designed for production system use. One HMC at a time can use the function; however, there is support to switch the function from one HMC to another. With the function there is also a highly customizable keyboard mapping support, to alleviate the ASCII-to-EBCDIC mapping. This function uses the SCLP hardware interface to connect to the operating system, and support for the function is planned for z/VM 4.4.

The Integrated 3270 Console support is also available on G5/G6 systems in Driver 26, and on z800/z900 in Driver 3G.

z990 HMC Integrated ASCII Console support

As for the 3270 integrated console support, a similar requirement exists for customers wishing to run Linux in a logical partition on a zSeries machine. The Integrated ASCII Console support meets that requirement. One HMC at the time can use the function to have a Linux terminal running, and there is support for switching the function from one HMC to another.

A code drop to Open Source for inclusion in the Linux kernel is planned for the near future. The Integrated ASCII Console support is also available on G5/G6 systems in Driver 26 and on z800/z900 in Driver 3G.

Optional “strict” password rules supported

To implement a more secure interface a user can now, optionally, switch on a stricter password rule set - the support is implemented as a check box in the user administration function. With this function there are also messages prompting for a new password, when the current password is expired.

Enhanced logging facilities

With the more powerful processors, it can be expected that the amount of messages and logs generated will be larger. To meet this requirement, the log files for both the HMC and the SE has been expanded from 1.4 MB to 10 MB. There is also a usability change in handling the SE log display - the IBM CE can now utilize user-defined names for the SE log file reader.

Increased “Console tasks performed” log

The “Console tasks performed” log can now contain the last 500 actions performed.

Customizable console data mirroring

Many of our large customers have a high availability requirement for their systems - including the HMCs. To ease the “duplication” of console customization, IBM has implemented a “data mirroring” function for the HMC setup. A user can now customize an HMC, and then associate other HMCs in the configuration to the same customized data.

As a result, all associated HMCs will be started with the same data. (Earlier, that function could only be achieved by copying the customers data to a diskette, and carrying that diskette from one HMC to another.)

Minor changes to “Operating System Messages”

Based on customer requirements, minor changes have been made to the “Operating System Messages” screens:

￿The command line appears on the first page.

244IBM eServer zSeries 990 Technical Guide

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IBM Z990 HMC Integrated Ascii Console support, Optional strict password rules supported, Enhanced logging facilities
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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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