Authors and Significant Contributors

Riaz Ahmad IBM, Gaithersburg

Boris Barth IBM, Germany

Bette Brody IBM, Gaithersburg

Jerzy Buczak IBM, Cary

Charlie Burger IBM, San Jose

John Casey IBM, Dallas

Walt Farrell IBM, Poughkeepsie

Steve Gracin IBM, Endicott

Judson Howard IBM, Los Angeles

Stanley Jones IBM, Endicott

Bill Keene IBM, Dallas

Ulrich Kettner IBM, Germany

Bob Leicht IBM, Endicott

Richard Lewis IBM, Gaithersburg

Jim McCoy IBM, Gaithersburg

Tom Murphy IBM, Endicott

Karl Pesendorfer IBM, Vienna, Austria

Dave Pilcher IBM, Boulder

Linda Richter IBM, Poughkeepsie

Bernd Rueckert IBM, Germany

Liz Rushton IBM, Sydney, Australia

Roger Smith IBM, Poughkeepsie

Howard Turetzky IBM, Boulder

Jon vonWolfersdorf IBM, Endicott

Frank Yaeger IBM, San Jose

Holly Yamamoto-Smith IBM, San Jose

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xxiiVSE to OS/390 Migration Workbook

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IBM OS/390 manual Authors and Significant Contributors, Comments Welcome, Http//w3.itso.ibm.com

OS/390 specifications

IBM OS/390, a versatile operating system, was a cornerstone in enterprise environments and played a pivotal role in mainframe computing. Released in the mid-1990s, OS/390 combined the strengths of IBM's MVS (Multiple Virtual Storage) with new features and enhancements, targeting scalability, reliability, and performance in demanding business applications.

One of the key features of OS/390 was its robust support for multiple users and processes. The system allowed thousands of concurrent users to access applications and data, ensuring high availability and minimizing downtime—a critical requirement for many large organizations. This scalability was supported through various enhancements in memory management and processor scheduling, enabling optimal resource allocation across diverse workloads.

OS/390 was known for its superior workload management capabilities. The Workload Manager (WLM) component allowed administrators to define service policies, specifying how system resources would be allocated according to the priority of tasks. This ensured that critical business processes received the necessary resources while less critical tasks were managed more flexibly.

Another significant characteristic of OS/390 was its commitment to security. The operating system provided comprehensive security features, including user authentication, data encryption, and auditing capabilities. This focus on security was vital for organizations handling sensitive data, ensuring compliance with regulations and safeguarding against unauthorized access.

OS/390 also supported advanced technologies that facilitated integration and development. The system included features like the IBM CICS (Customer Information Control System) for transaction processing and IMS (Information Management System) for database management. These technologies allowed organizations to build robust, high-performance applications tailored to specific business needs.

The ease of network integration was another strength of OS/390. With the advent of the Internet and global connectivity, OS/390 systems could easily interface with various network protocols, enabling businesses to operate in a connected world. This inclusion paved the way for many organizations to expand their capabilities and offer new services, driving digital transformation.

In conclusion, IBM OS/390 represented a significant advancement in mainframe technology, combining scalability, security, and robust workload management. Its rich feature set and support for critical enterprise applications solidified its role as a vital component of many organizations' IT infrastructures, ensuring they could meet their operational challenges head-on while supporting future growth. As technology continues to evolve, the legacy of OS/390 remains influential in the realm of computing.