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

6947ch01.fm

 

 

ERP

 

 

 

 

 

Trans-

 

Trans-

 

 

 

 

action

 

action

Business

 

 

The z990 Generation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appl.+DB

appl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"A heterogeneous software

 

 

 

 

 

 

model on

 

 

 

 

 

 

a homogeneous

CICS

 

 

Java

 

 

IMS

 

 

 

 

hardware

 

 

&

 

Consolidate

 

 

 

Linux

 

 

 

EJB

Cluster/Parallel

platform"

 

 

 

Appl

 

 

WebSphere

Appl*

File/Disk/Print

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DL/I

Siebel

e-commerce

 

 

 

 

DB2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JVM

 

 

Linux

 

 

 

z/OS

 

Linux

z/VM

 

 

 

PR/SM LPAR (up to 30 logical partitions)

 

zSeries Platform

Figure 1-6 z990, the versatile server

Traditional database/transaction workloads

z/OS is well positioned as the deployment platform for e-business data transaction workloads. The traditional S/390 strengths—scalability, high availability, low total cost of ownership and robust security—are all necessa ry elements for a company seeking to create the kind of flexible computing infrastructure required for enterprise-wide e-business solutions.

In addition, batch workloads, which never go away, even in an e-business environment, are a strength for z/OS, particularly with its ability to run concurrent batch jobs with on-line and Web workloads; and batch jobs get resources as they are available. The strength of zSeries I/O subsystem and I/O balancing capabilities are also key reasons for this platform’s excellent support of batch workloads.

UNIX System Services

UNIX System Services include shell functions, numerous utilities, and UNIX file systems. Perhaps most significantly, what distinguished z/OS UNIX from other variants is that the UNIX services were integrated into the z/OS base, not added as middleware or shipped as a separate S/390 operating system. As a result, not only can UNIX applications be written for zSeries, but they can also take advantage of z/OS facilities and zSeries hardware to obtain true enterprise server qualities of service.

The importance of UNIX System Services is growing because most new applications and middleware build upon them.

zSeries File System (zFS)

To meet the changing needs of new workloads, a different file system is available with OS/390® R10 and beyond. This file system is co mplementary to the existing Hierarchical File System (HFS), but provides enhanced performance and easier management for many different file usage patterns often encountered with new workloads.

Chapter 1. IBM zSeries 990 overview 19

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IBM 990 manual Traditional database/transaction workloads, Unix System Services, ZSeries File System zFS
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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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