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 designed for reliability and security rather than just speed. They can run for many years without stopping and are very safe to use. Mainframes can handle 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 multiple different operating systems at the same time. This is called virtual machines, and it lets applications act as if they are on separate computers. Because of this, a single mainframe can do the work of many regular computers.

Mainframes can add more power or switch parts without stopping their work. They are very good at handling large amounts of information quickly. They have special parts that manage input and output, so the main processor can focus on important tasks. Mainframes also store a lot of data—sometimes as much as gigabytes or terabytes! This makes them perfect for big jobs like keeping track of huge amounts of information.

Mainframe audit

A mainframe audit is a detailed check of a computer's processes, security, and procedures to suggest ways to improve them.

Different industries have different rules for auditing and security. Factors that affect these rules include laws, company goals, and how well the company is doing compared to others. Auditors can learn about these factors by researching outside sources, talking to employees, visiting the data center, and looking at company plans. They also check how employees access the mainframe and whether strong password rules are used and followed. To ensure safety, they look at how cables are protected, whether there is backup power, and if there are security devices like locks and fire systems in place. They also test the system's controls to find any weak spots. The operating system should have updates, proper controls to stop unauthorized changes or theft, and clear records of activity. Security checks should regularly scan the system and make sure that safety procedures are being followed.

Current market

IBM remains a key player 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 unique designs and technologies. These computers are used by large organizations for important tasks like handling big amounts of data and processing many transactions at once.

Many of these companies invest in developing new mainframe technology. Some use custom-made processors, while others use processors from other companies. There are also software programs available to help manage and improve how mainframes work, with companies like BMC and Precisely offering such 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 designed for solving complex scientific and engineering problems, where they perform many calculations very quickly. They measure their power in operations per second, called FLOPS. Mainframe computers, however, are built for handling many transactions at once, like processing banking information or airline reservations. They are measured by how many transactions they can handle, which is different from the speed of supercomputers.

In the past, some supercomputers used mainframe technology, meaning they could work like both a supercomputer and a mainframe. Today, new technologies have combined features of both supercomputers and mainframes into what is called a gameframe.