There are five types of computers and the Mainframe Computer is one of them. Generally, Mainframer computers are larger in size, amount of space or storage, and also in processing power as well. Mainframe Computers are mostly used by large organizations to perform a large number of data processing. There are some common characteristics of Mainframe Computers, that include hosting more than one operating system. Mainframe Computers can add swap system capacity. Mainframe Computers are made for high-volume data processing. Mainframe Computer has the capability of thousands of small servers.
Basics of Mainframe Computer
A Mainframe computer is a combination of thousands of processors and memory which is also known as RAM (Read on Memory). It works as a Central Processing unit of workstations and the terminals are connected to Mainframe Computers. Mainframe Computers can Process the data in Petabytes as well.
Are you thinking about What "Mainframe" means?
A mainframe means a frame that can hold thousands of Processors and memory. Mainframe Computer plays important role in E-commerce business or Digital business but these businesses have thousands of people connected to a server in real-time. Similarly, in some other sectors such as Banking, Government website, and offices Mainframe Plays an important role.
Mainframe Computers are handled and maintained by special technicians who add programs to Mainframe Computer and run them and they also fixed them if they stop unexpectedly. First Mainframe Computer was created in the 1950s. At that technology was newly introduced that's why the size of that computer was too big. At that time Vacuum tube is used to make Mainframe Computers later on transistors replaced the Vacuum Tube in Mainframe Computers.
Parts or Components of Mainframe Computers
Mainframe Computers are powerful because they have the high Processing power. Mainframe Computers have components to perform these tasks. I will share the details of those components down below.
- CPU
- Controllers
- Cluster Controllers
- I/O Channels
- ICODS
- ESCON
- Multiprocessors
- CPU
CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. It is also known as the mind of Computers. CPU contains the processors, Memory, and Interface of Channels. A Channel is an Independent way Between I/O Devices and memory. This way is used for controlling Computers Components.
Controllers
Devices are connected with Control Units using channels. Channel is also known as bus. Control Units are connected with the Storage unit.
Cluster Controllers
A Device to connect channel terminals to host systems. Currently, Cluster Controllers have two types.
- Channel-attached Controller Disk
- Link-attached Controller Disk
- I/O Channels
I/O Channels are connecting channels, We used terms in I/O channels, such as IOCDS, ESCON, and CHIPD These Channels are having unique functions and definitions.
ICODS
ICODS is the abbreviation of I/O Control Data Sets. It's a control file that can translate a physical I/O address into a device address.
ESCON
ESCON stands for Enterprise System Connection was the first product for making connections between Mainframe Computer and locally attached Workstations.
Multiprocessors
A multiprocessor is a combination of processors. Multiple processors used the Storage area to process data in Mainframe Computers. This thing is done by giving special instructions to set processors to communicate with other processors.