Mainframe Open Education Project
  • Welcome: Learn & Contribute to MOE
    • MOE Vision, Mission and Content Phases
    • Who Can Contribute?
    • Contributor Log In
    • Earn A Contributor Badge
    • MOE Management System
    • MOE Events
    • Project Support
    • Legal Disclaimer, Copyright and License
    • Code of Conduct
    • Project Governance
    • Why MOE
  • Introduction: What is Enterprise Computing?
  • Chapter 1: What is a Mainframe Today?
    • Role of the Mainframe Today
      • Mainframe and the Cloud
      • Enterprise Computing
      • Hybrid Cloud
    • Who Uses the Mainframe and Why
    • Mainframe versus Server
    • Mainframe Basic Architecture & Components
    • How the Mainframe Works
    • Mainframe Security Myths
    • Mainframe Evolution
    • Mainframe Modernization
    • Video: ITs Best Kept Secret
    • Get Ready: Talk Like a Mainframer
    • Looking Back: The First 50 Years of Mainframe
  • Chapter 2: Foundational Technology
    • Brief Introduction to z/OS
    • TSO/E, ISPF, and UNIX System Services (USS): Interactive facilities of z/OS
    • Data Sets and How They Work
    • Job Control Language and System Display and Search Facility
      • Understanding the JCL(Job Control Language)
        • Understanding the JOB Statement
        • Understanding the EXEC Statement
        • Understanding the DD Statement
        • Creating a Physical Sequential (PS)
        • Understanding Libraries in JCL
        • Understanding Instream Procedures, Cataloged Procedures, and Symbolic Parameters in JCL
      • Utilities
        • IEBCOMPR
        • IEBGENER
          • Copying Between Sequential Datasets and PDS Members Using IEBGENER
          • Generate PDS member while copying
          • Copying a UNIX File to a PS File
        • IEBCOPY
          • IEBCOPY selective copy using select statements
          • IEBCOPY Exclude members while copying
          • IEBCOPY renaming member while copying
      • GDG
        • GDG parameters
        • GDG base
        • GDG Generation
          • Referencing GDG Generations Using Relative Numbers
        • Alter and Delete GDG
    • Enterprise Software Development and Implementation
    • Programming languages for Mainframe
    • Modern Application Management
    • Video: System Overview
    • Video: MVS Using Dynamic Allocations
    • Article: Red Hat OpenShift 4.7 on IBM Z Is a Game Changer for Container Orchestration and Managemen
    • IBM z16
  • Chapter 3: Roles in Mainframe
    • Roles and Categories
      • Category Definitions
  • Chapter 4: Deeper Dive in Role Chosen
    • IT Operations and System Support and Services
    • IT Business/Software Product Application Development and Support
    • IT Software Engineers
    • IT Architects
  • Chapter 5: Career Path Opportunities
    • Learning Programs
    • Job Opportunities
    • Career Event Calendar
    • Open to Hire
  • Mainframe Events and Conferences 2024
  • My Mainframe Journey: From Student to Professional
  • Backlog on Topics
  • Additional Community Resources
    • Communities
    • Courses, Tutorials, Manuals
    • Education Programs
    • IBM Mainframe Timeshare Services
  • Digital Certificate Badges
    • z/OS Mainframe Practitioner
  • Reviewer List
  • Modern Mainframe
    • What is a modern mainframe environment?
    • z/OSMF
      • What is z/OSMF?
      • Why it is important in a mainframe shop
      • z/OSMF Learning Materials
    • Zowe
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  • a) Mainframe Key Components
  • b) Virtual Tour on a Mainframe

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  1. Chapter 1: What is a Mainframe Today?

Mainframe Basic Architecture & Components

Learn about mainframe architecture and take a virtual tour inside a mainframe machine.

PreviousMainframe versus ServerNextHow the Mainframe Works

Last updated 1 year ago

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Beyond the imposing presence of the big black box lies the intricate and sophisticated physical architecture of this technological marvel. But it's not just about the hardware; it's about unveiling the next generation of the world’s most powerful transaction system—IBM Z.

IBM Z introduces a groundbreaking encryption engine capable of executing more than 12 billion encrypted transactions per day. This engine is a game-changer, enabling pervasive encryption of data associated with any application, cloud service, or database all the time. Join us on this rapid journey behind the scenes as we explore the magic that transforms these physical components into the powerhouse of IBM Z. Let's witness the assembly of innovation!

a) Mainframe Key Components

Previously, the term mainframe was synonymous with the hardware (S/360, S/370, S/390 chips) and software (MVS, VM, VSE). However, nowadays, the term mainframe has a more complex meaning. The term mainframe must be divided into two meanings: (1) the hardware (Z-Series chip) and (2) the operating systems supported by the Z-Series chip (z/VM, z/OS, z/VSE, Linux).

  • Mainframe Hardware: Z-Series CPU chips: Supports z/VM, z/OS, z/VSE, Linux operating systems, and open-source software. Also supports Hybrid Cloud technology. Mainframe hardware includes outboard I/O and encryption CPUs, hyperchannels, redundant power supplies, and resilience.

b) Virtual Tour on a Mainframe

Embark on a fascinating virtual journey as we extend an exclusive invitation to enter the intricate world of mainframe hardware. In the immersive virtual experience you will experience below, we bring the mainframe to life, allowing you to understand its contemporary physical architecture intimately. Join us on this captivating virtual tour and witness the inner workings of the modern mainframe.

Here is the navigation instruction for your tour:

  1. From the link above, choose the “Run Online/Web” option and choose “System/Server”.

  2. Pick IBM Z for the latest mainframe. Then you just need to click on the latest machine type, which is at the top of the list, once you join in the machine, find “Explore Product Animation” where you can navigate through all the machine details.

Mainframe Software: Z-Series software is traditionally called VM, z/VM, MVS, MVS/XA, MVS/ESA, z/OS, VSE or z/VSE. These operating systems have evolved and been used over the last 50 years. Mainframe software has evolved from a purely batch-oriented system using only JCL to incorporating real-time interfaces and Unix System Service. Mainframe software has progressed to being compatible with distributed systems, with being the most notable innovation.

Zowe
Assembling the IBM Z mainframe in 120 seconds - IBM unveiled IBM Z, the next generation of the world’s most powerful transaction system, capable of running more than 12 billion encrypted transactions per day. The new system also introduces a breakthrough encryption engine that, for the first time, makes it possible to pervasively encrypt data associated with any application, cloud service or database all the time.
IBM Interactive Product Catalog
IBM Interactive Product Catalog
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