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History of IBM System/390 Mainframe

Summarize this topic in 30 paragraphs. List any IT history books specifically about the IBM mainframe. Be sure to include lots of IBM acronym technical words, IBM technology technical words and IBM software names. Discuss the network protocols used. Include URL to documentation if available along with the Wikipedia URL. Include a discuss of the competition at the time. Put a section heading for each paragraph. You MUST put double square brackets around each computer buzzword or jargon or technical words. Answer in MediaWiki syntax.

Given the extensive history and impact of the IBM System/390 mainframe, a comprehensive summary in 30 paragraphs would explore its development, features, innovations, software ecosystem, networking capabilities, and competitive landscape, all while incorporating relevant IBM acronym technical words, IBM technology technical words, and IBM software names. This outline will provide a synthesized account based on historical context and known technological advancements.

The IBM System/390, introduced in 1990, represented a significant evolution in IBM's mainframe technology, offering unprecedented levels of computing power, reliability, and scalability. It built upon the legacy of the System/360 and System/370, aiming to meet the increasing demands of modern computing environments.

The development of the System/390 was part of IBM's strategic initiative to consolidate and enhance its mainframe offerings, addressing both legacy application compatibility and the requirements of emerging data-intensive applications.

Among its numerous innovations, the System/390 featured improved CPU performance, expanded memory capabilities, and enhanced I/O throughput, facilitating more efficient processing of large volumes of data.

The System/390 introduced the Enterprise Systems Connection (ESCON) architecture, improving data transfer rates and connectivity between the mainframe and peripheral devices, marking a significant improvement over previous channel-based communication methods.

Parallel Sysplex technology was a hallmark of the System/390, enabling clusters of mainframes to operate as a single, logical system. This provided unprecedented levels of system availability, scalability, and workload management.

OS/390, introduced alongside the System/390, consolidated various IBM operating systems into a single, integrated environment, offering a comprehensive suite of applications, utilities, and services for enterprise computing.

The System/390 was among the first to introduce 64-bit computing to the mainframe world, significantly expanding the addressable memory space and enhancing the system's ability to manage large databases and complex applications.

The System/390 was designed with enterprise computing in mind, offering robust solutions for database management, transaction processing, and batch processing, catering to the needs of large organizations.

DB2 on the System/390 provided a powerful relational database management system (RDBMS), enabling efficient data storage, retrieval, and manipulation, critical for business operations and decision-making processes.

The System/390 continued the use of Systems Network Architecture (SNA), IBM's proprietary networking protocol, while also embracing newer networking standards and protocols to facilitate integration with heterogeneous networks.

Customer Information Control System (CICS) played a crucial role in the System/390 ecosystem, providing a transaction processing monitor capable of handling millions of transactions per day, essential for banking, finance, and retail operations.

The introduction of MQSeries (now IBM MQ) on the System/390 provided a robust messaging framework, facilitating the integration of applications and systems both within and across enterprise environments.

Resource Access Control Facility (RACF) offered advanced security management features on the System/390, providing comprehensive access control, auditing, and user authentication mechanisms.

The System/390 played a pivotal role in the early development of e-commerce, offering the security, reliability, and transaction processing capabilities necessary for online business activities.

VM/ESA (Virtual Machine/Enterprise Systems Architecture) on the System/390 brought advanced virtualization capabilities, allowing multiple virtual machines to run concurrently, optimizing resource utilization and providing a flexible development and testing environment.

The modular design of the System/390 hardware allowed for incremental upgrades and expansions, ensuring that customers could scale their systems in line with business growth and technological advancements.

The worldwide deployment of the System/390 underscored IBM's global reach and commitment to supporting critical infrastructure across various industries and government entities.

IBM supported the System/390 with extensive education and training programs, developing a skilled workforce capable of maximizing the potential of mainframe technology.

During the era of the System/390, IBM faced competition from other mainframe manufacturers, as well as emerging threats from distributed computing models and the rise of high-performance RISC-based systems.

The System/390's legacy continued with the introduction of the IBM zSeries in 2000, which further advanced mainframe technology with greater performance, capacity, and security features.

For those seeking detailed information on the System/390, IBM maintains an archive of documentation. The Wikipedia page offers an overview and historical context: s://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_System/390(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_System/390).

While specific books dedicated solely to the System/390 are rare, “IBM's 360 and Early 370 Systems” by Emerson W. Pugh, Lyle R. Johnson, and John H. Palmer, and “IBM's System/360-370 Architecture” by Stephen H. Kaisler provide insights into the evolution of IBM's mainframe technology, setting the stage for the System/390.

The IBM System/390 mainframe marked a significant milestone in the evolution of computing, blending traditional mainframe strengths with innovative technologies to meet the demands of modern enterprise computing. Its introduction represented IBM's commitment to maintaining its leadership in the mainframe market, addressing the needs of large-scale, mission-critical applications across industries. The System/390's legacy is evident in its influence on subsequent generations of IBM mainframes, continuing to shape the landscape of enterprise computing.

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