Mainframe Data Access

Access to Mainframe data is still a problem today seven years after  Y2K. 80 to 90 percent of Strategic Business Data is still located on hierarchical databases like CICS and IMS running on mainframe computers. Almost every Fortune 100 company of any age has at least one. These computers are used mainly by government institutions and large companies for mission critical applications, typically bulk data processing such as census, industry/consumer statistics, ERP, or financial transaction processing. Access to mainframe data by the enterprise requires reliable, scalable middleware that makes the process of mainframe data access easy. The most cost effective, standards based, vendor-neutral and reliable software available for Accessing Mainframe Data is the NXTware Evolution Server.

History
The term originated during the early 1970s with the introduction of smaller, less complex computers such as the DEC PDP-8 and PDP-11 series, which became known as minicomputers (also referred to simply as minis). The industry/users then coined the term "mainframe data access computers" to describe larger, earlier types (previously known simply as "computers"). Today, this term almost exclusively refers to IBM zSeries mainframe data access computers - descendants of the System/360.

 
Modern mainframe computers have abilities not so much defined by their performance capabilities as by their high-quality internal engineering and resulting proven reliability, high-quality technical support, top-notch security to protect mainframe data access, and strict backward compatibility for older software. These machines can and do run successfully for years without interruption, with repairs taking place while they continue to run. mainframe data access computers vendors offer such services as off-site redundancy — if a machine does break down, the vendor offers the option to run customers' applications on their own machines (often without users even noticing the change) while repairs go on.

The robustness and dependability of these systems has been one of the main reasons for the longevity of this class of computers, as they are used in applications where downtime would be catastrophic. The term Reliability, Availability and Serviceability, or RAS has become a marketing term used to denote this robustness. This robustness is often the argument used against replacing mainframe data access computers with other types of computers.

Access to Mainframe data often requires thousands of simultaneous users who gain access through "dumb" terminals or terminal emulation. Early mainframe data access computers either supported this timesharing mode or operated in batch mode where users had no direct access to the computing service; it solely provided back office functions. At this time mainframe  computers were so-called because of their very substantial size and requirements for specialized HVAC and electrical power. Nowadays mainframe data access computers support access via any user interface, including the Web. (An IBM mainframe data access computers was the first Web server anywhere outside Europe.) Blade servers and rack servers, rather than mainframe data access computers, are now increasingly requiring exotic cooling technologies and take up far more data center floor space.

Market Context
Nearly all mainframe data access computers have the ability to run (or "host") multiple operating systems and thereby operate not as a single computer but as a number of virtual machines. In this role, a single mainframe data access computers can replace dozens or even hundreds of smaller servers, reducing management and administrative costs while providing greatly improved scalability and reliability. The reliability is improved because of the hardware redundancy noted above, and the scalability is achieved because hardware resources can be reallocated among the virtual machines as needed out of total system capacity.

Mainframe data access computers can add system capacity non-disruptively, instantly, and granularly — what IBM marketing, with justification, describes as "on demand computing." Modern mainframe data access computers, notably the IBM mainframe data access computers zSeries and System z9 servers, offer at least three major levels of virtualization: logical partitions (LPARs, via PR/SM), virtual machines (primarily via z/VM), and the protected and virtual addressing and workload management of their operating systems, notably z/OS. Together, these virtualization technologies support business-friendly mixed workloads, including Linux and Java, in a highly reliable and efficient manner.

An IBM z890 mainframe data access computers
Whether the acquisition cost of a mainframe data access computers makes sense will depend on its return on investment (ROI). mainframe data access computers ROI, like any other computing platform, is dependent on its ability to scale, support mixed workloads, reduce labor costs, deliver uninterrupted service for critical business applications, and several other risk-adjusted cost factors. Some argue that the modern mainframe data access computers is not cost-effective. Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, and Dell understandably take that view, and so do some independent analysts. (Hewlett-Packard also continues to manufacture its own mainframe data access computers, the NonStop system originally created by Tandem.) However, the majority view is that mainframe data access computers are uniquely valuable (and cost-effective) for many businesses and governments. IBM's zSeries and System z9 revenues are growing, despite declining prices, suggesting that view is indeed widespread among technology buyers.

There's no question that mid-tier servers are improving. Logical partitioning, at least in basic form, is now found in many high-end Unix-based servers. However, all servers are improving, not just non-mainframe data access computers servers. For example, zSeries/z9 servers execute each instruction twice, compare results, and shift workloads "in flight" to functioning processors, including spares, without any impact to applications or users. This rare feature, also found in Tandem Computers, is known as lock-stepping, because both processors take their "steps" (i.e. instructions) together. Not all applications absolutely need the assured integrity that these systems provide, but many do, such as financial transaction processing.

Undoubtedly debates will continue about the mainframe data access computer's value — and, for that matter, about the value of other computing platforms, such as the PC. The debate began with the 1964 introduction of the IBM System/360 and has continued for over 40 years.

The mainframe data access computers market is exhibiting economic characteristics familiar to observers of other markets such as semiconductors and large airliners. All these markets have tremendous economies of scale and require huge capital investments to compete, resulting in just a small handful of large vendors. Yet these markets are extremely competitive because technology leadership can be fragile and because these markets are disproportionately sensitive to macroeconomic demand changes. Businesses and governments tend to delay or defer capital investments, such as mainframe data access computers purchases, during economic recessions.

When discussing the mainframe data access computers market it's no exaggeration to say that IBM defines it. As of early 2006, IBM mainframe data access computers dominate the market at well over 90% market share. The company started shipping the market's most powerful mainframe data access computers, the System z9-109, in late 2005 and spent a breathtaking $1.2 billion developing it. IBM also lowered the price substantially, effectively decreasing software prices by 10%, memory prices by 20%, and Linux and Java processor prices by about 25%. Despite IBM's mainframe data access computers might, IBM is not the only vendor. Unisys still manufactures ClearPath mainframe data access computers, based on earlier Sperry and Burroughs product lines, and a recent survey suggests its customers are loyal. Fujitsu's current product line, the Nova, is rebranded Unisys ES7000 hardware, while their Amdahl 31-bit product line is fast fading and never stood a chance against IBM's 64-bit technology. Hitachi co-developed the affordable (under $40,000 value as of early 2006) 64-bit zSeries 800 with IBM to share expenses. Hewlett-Packard continues to sell its unique NonStop systems which it acquired with Tandem Computers. Bull's DPS mainframe data access computers are still on the European market. Industry rumors abound that another entrant (or reentrant) will start shipping IBM-compatible machines.

Unisys and HP are increasingly relying on commodity Intel CPUs rather than custom processors in order to reduce development expenses, and that strategy should help Unisys and HP improve their margins. In contrast, IBM is pouring billions into developing new, homegrown technologies, and so far that investment strategy is paying generous dividends thanks to customer interest. It also helps differentiate IBM's products, especially relating to hardware optimization to boost the performance of specific software (like Linux and Java).

mainframe data access computers acquisition prices vary, but current model IBM mainframe data access computers start at about $100,000 (System z9 BC Model A01, U.S. 2006 reported price, excluding disk and tape storage and software). That price is somewhat misleading, however, because IBM mainframe data access computers processors are "owned forever" — customers only pay a frame charge for a model upgrade and do not have to repurchase processor capacity. Prices also generally include generous maintenance and service terms that are quite unlike other computers.

There is an exceptionally active market for used mainframe data access computers, much like the aircraft market.