Computerworld - IBM's z/OS blends traditional mainframe strengths with new management and resource-sharing features that are targeted at Web-enabled application environments. Among the core features in this regard are the following:
• Intelligence Resource Director (IRD) technology. This gives the z/900 mainframe the ability to intelligently manage resources, such as memory or I/O, that are allocated to the partitions on a server.
Like previous-generation IBM mainframes, the zSeries lets users partition a single box into multiple smaller servers, each of which is capable of running a different application. Users are able to set priorities for each application. IRD then manages the partitions and is able to dynamically pull resources from a low-priority application and reassign them to a high-priority application as the need arises.
Such on-the-fly resource-sharing capabilities are made possible by functions such as workload management, physical resource balancing of processors, and dynamic channel path management capabilities that are built into IRD.
• HiperSockets. This technology, which IBM calls a "network in a box," is unique to the zSeries. It enables fast TCP/IP communication between z/OS Linux for zSeries and z/VM partitions on a z/900 server. By eliminating the need for external networks to achieve this connectivity, HiperSockets improves application response times and reduces cost and complexity, IBM says.
• Security. IBM is also making it safer to run Internet and intranet applications with new host-based intrusion-detection services and support for digital certificate and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) services. Also available are user-defined cryptography functions and technologies for managing digital certificates and SSL services.
• New file system and compilers. Applications that access very large sequential files will see improved performance with IBM's new zServer File System for z/OS Unix system services, IBM says. Meanwhile, a new C++ compiler is aimed at simplifying application porting to z/OS. Also built in is support for technologies such as Enterprise JavaBeans and XML.
Read more about Operating Systems in Computerworld's Operating Systems Topic Center.
Free Insider GuideCopyright © 1994 - 2012 Computerworld Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Computerworld Inc. is prohibited. Computerworld and Computerworld.com and the respective logos are trademarks of International Data Group Inc.
