Mainframe computers are crucial for some of the largest corporations in the world. Each mainframe has more than one modern processor, RAM ranging from a few megabytes to several gigabytes of scoring and disk space and other storage in addition to anything on a microcomputer. A mainframe can handle multiple tasks and serve thousands of users every second without downtime.
The main difference between mainframes and other computing systems is the level of processing that occurs. Mainframes are also different in terms of data bandwidth, organization, reliability and control. Large organizations – banks, healthcare, insurance and telecommunications companies, etc. – use mainframes to process critical business data.
In this article, we discuss the evolution of mainframe computers and their components.
History of mainframe computers
IBM developed a crucial part of mainframe computing, the Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (ASCC) for arithmetic operations, in 1944. From the late 1950s to the 1970s, several companies manufactured mainframes: IBM, Burroughs, RCA, NCR, General Electric and Sperry Rand, for example. Since then, IBM’s System / 390 is the only mainframe type in use. It evolved from IBM’s System / 360 in 1960.
An old mainframe took up huge space. New technologies have drastically reduced the size and cost of hardware. A current generation mainframe can fit in a small closet.
Components of a modern mainframe computer
Like a PC, a mainframe has many components to process data: operating system, motherboard or motherboard, processor, controllers, storage devices and channels.
• Motherboard: The motherboard of a mainframe computer consists of a printed circuit that allows the CPU, RAM and other hardware components to work together through a concept called “Bus architecture”. The motherboard has device slots for input cards and cable interfaces for various external devices. While PC motherboards use 32-bit or 64-bit buses, mainframes use 128-bit buses. The general instructions on the internal architecture help the motherboard to connect to other devices and recover data using binary computing.
• Processor: The CPU acts as the central processing point in the mainframe architecture and includes an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) to perform arithmetic calculations. It also acts as a controller for the bus architecture and handles traffic and data requests. The processing power of mainframes is much greater compared to PCs, so they can handle large amounts of data.
• Storage devices: storage devices are used to insert, retrieve, store and record data. Many are external devices, such as hard drives, tape drives and punch card readers, all connected to the mainframe terminals and controlled by the CPU. Its data storage capacity can be hundreds or even thousands of times greater than that of a PC.
• Communication controllers: communication controllers allow remote computers to access a mainframe. With the help of networks, LAN or WAN, the communication controllers establish connections with various devices, carry out the data transmission through the communication channels and accompany the users in the terminals.
• Channels: “Channels” are the cables used to connect the CPU and main storage to other parts of the system and ensure that data is moved systematically without losing its integrity.
Modern mainframes have advanced features such as expanded service management features, cross-platform integration features, etc. and are therefore suitable for critical data center operations. The maintenance cost of modern mainframes is much lower compared to older models.