The term Mainframes or central unit, refers to computational elements which perform an important job at a global level. They have a large capacity to store millions of data per second.
In turn, this central unit is capable of performing mathematical operations. These computers have the ability to work with large volumes of data.
They are designed to work with information processing and storage, in addition to mathematical data. This unit features powerful memory and processors. It is an extremely efficient team.
Historical evolution of mainframes or central unit
In 1944 the first mainframe was created, in order to improve the performance of computers. This ingenious invention was placed in an entire room and worked with calculator algorithms to perform basic mathematical operations.
This machine had 60 physical constant registers and 72 counters, which gave the results. It should be noted that this great invention initially consisted of 800 km of wiring. This whole process is due to the fact that this unit worked with punch cards, but it could also function as a mechanical writing machine.
Subsequently, IBM launched the so-called SSEC on the market in the following decade, which included electronic parts. This ingenious invention was used to calculate the distance of the moon with respect to the planets of the system and the result was 6 months.
Then the mainframe with digital information processing was born, called IBM 701 but it only sold 19 units and gave the first step to the modern era of computing. This was done in order to work for the US.
Thanks to these advances, the engineers continued working with the aim of improving this device, both physically and in its components, so that in this way no errors were obtained.
This mechanism is currently used in banking, in most public organizations to carry out jobs quickly and in many corporations. Thanks to the large volume of data that they store, they save on having to use several computers.
Beginning of mainframes in the digital age
The IBM 7000 was the first mainframe that was created in the digital age in 1964. Later the S/360 was created, which is the first configurable mainframe. Then the S/370 was created, which remained on the market for two decades, since it had 32 bits.
IBM always focused on improving its unit and not launching another model, noting that it designed its own operating system. Similarly, new processors were created and LINUX was included in these mainframes.
The first to mark history with the creation of central units was IBM, who continued to prevail in the creation of mainframes with the z/Architecture who had 64 bits and this was its advantage, since in the components it continued to have that of existing models.
At present, mainframes are still being used, since there are companies which refuse to put this platform aside. Taking mainframes as a long-term tool.
These units have a large volume hardware which have special facilities, they are more secure. This novel invention makes tasks easier and maintenance is low cost. They also control a large number of input devices and output peripherals.
This unit works with data volumes in millions of seconds thanks to the software, it has a large capacity and transfers files as far as external memory is concerned.
Mainframes have a processor, memory and I/O channels, which are connected to disks, terminals, printers, among others. All these devices are connected through fiber optic channels, which means that they are a power and that their process is high.