The big advantages of the IBM mainframe architecture have always been application upward compatibility, I/O throughput, and RAS (reliability, availability, and serviceability).
Application upgrade compatibility requires both hardware instruction set upward compatibility and software system interface upward compatibility. Intel has made some significant strides in recent years in terms of hardware instruction set upward compatibility, but Microsoft's software system interface upward compatibility is a joke. Windows release boundaries have been invariably disastrous, and service packs have been little better. I/O throughput on z System z processor complex is second to zone. No PC I/O architecture can come close to the throughput exhibited by a small System z processor complex. A large System z processor complex is in a universe all its own. IBM RAS (reliability, availability, and serviceability), developed and evolved over 45 years, is second to none, and RAS is what keeps businesses in business. For sheer number crunching, I might pick an IBM Power[n] box. If I want to go on the cheap, I might pick an Intel box. For transactional processing involving vast databases, anything other than a System z processor complex is irresponsible. Give that staggering number of financial transactions processed on a daily basis, over 90% of which is done on large-scale IBM mainframes, is it not strange that you have never heard of a mainframe virus? IBM RAS and IBM Security (whether implemented via IBM RACF, CA ACF/2, CA-Top Secret Security, or some other External Security manager (ESM)) is what keep these systems running. John P. Baker -----Original Message----- From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:ibm-m...@bama.ua.edu] On Behalf Of Chase, John Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:14 PM To: IBM-MAIN@bama.ua.edu Subject: Re: big iron mainframe vs. x86 servers Viewing IT in toto as a "business tool", I'd place the emphasis a word later: "What platform fits your BUSINESS needs best?" -jc- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
