Mainframe computer

A mainframe computer, often simply called a mainframe, is a special kind of computer used by big organizations for very important tasks. These tasks include handling large amounts of information, like counting people in a country during a census, keeping track of statistics for businesses and goods, managing money and resources with enterprise resource planning, and processing many transactions all at once, like in big banks or stores. While mainframes are large, they are not as big as the most powerful computers called supercomputers. However, they have more power than smaller types of computers such as minicomputers, workstations, and personal computers.

Mainframe computers have been around since the 1960s, and even though technology has changed a lot, they are still used today because they are very reliable and can handle huge amounts of work without making mistakes. These computers often work like servers, providing services to many people or machines at the same time.

The name “mainframe” comes from the big metal box, or “main frame,” that held the most important parts of early computers, like the central processing unit and the memory. Over time, “mainframe” became a way to talk about these powerful business computers, separating them from smaller, less powerful machines.

Design

Modern mainframe computers are made to be reliable and secure. They can run for many years without stopping and are very safe to use. Mainframes can do many tasks at once and are good at sharing work between different parts.

In the past, mainframes used special cards and tapes to get information. Later, they learned to work with many people at the same time. Today, mainframes often use web-style interfaces instead of older screen types. They have become smaller and use less energy than older models.

Characteristics

Modern mainframes can run many different operating systems together. This is called virtual machines. It lets programs work like they are on their own separate computers. Because of this, one mainframe can do the work of many regular computers.

Mainframes can get more powerful or have parts replaced without stopping. They are very good at handling big amounts of information fast. They have special parts to manage what goes in and out, so the main processor can focus on important tasks. Mainframes also store lots of data—sometimes as much as gigabytes or terabytes! This makes them great for big jobs like keeping track of huge amounts of information.

Mainframe audit

A mainframe audit is a detailed check of a computer to find ways to make it safer and better.

Different industries have different rules for checking and protecting computers. These rules depend on laws, company goals, and how well a company does. Auditors find out about these rules by talking to employees, visiting the data center, and looking at company plans. They also check how people use and protect the mainframe. They make sure strong password rules are used and followed. They look at how cables are protected, and if there is backup power and safety devices like locks and fire systems. They test the system to find any weak spots. The operating system should have updates and proper controls to stop unauthorized changes or theft. Security checks should regularly scan the system to make sure safety rules are followed.

Current market

IBM is an important company in the mainframe market with its IBM Z series. Other companies like Hitachi, Unisys, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise also make mainframes, each with their own special designs and technologies. These computers help big organizations do important jobs, like handling lots of data and processing many transactions quickly.

Many of these companies work on new mainframe technology. Some use special processors they make themselves, while others use processors from different companies. There are software programs to help manage and improve mainframes, and companies like BMC and Precisely offer these tools.

History

See also: History of computing hardware

Mainframe computers have been built by many companies since the 1950s. In the United States, important makers included IBM and others known as "IBM and the Seven Dwarfs". IBM became the biggest maker, especially with its 700/7000 series and later System/360 computers. Other countries also made mainframes, like Siemens and Telefunken in Germany, ICL in the United Kingdom, and companies in Japan such as Fujitsu and Hitachi.

Over time, many companies stopped making mainframes or were bought by others. By the 1980s, smaller computers began to take over some jobs that mainframes used to do. Some people thought mainframes would disappear, but they stayed important for big tasks like handling many transactions at once. Today, mainframes are still used for important work, especially in finance and government, and IBM continues to make new ones like the z16.

Differences from supercomputers

Supercomputers are made to solve hard science and engineering problems very fast. They are measured by how many calculations they can do each second, called FLOPS.

Mainframe computers are different. They are made to handle many tasks at once, like keeping track of bank money or airplane tickets. They are measured by how many tasks they can do, not how fast they work.

In the past, some supercomputers used mainframe technology. This let them work like both a supercomputer and a mainframe. Today, new technology has mixed the best parts of supercomputers and mainframes into something called a gameframe.