Gururaj S. Rao

IBM S/390 parallel enterprise servers G3 and G4

This overview paper describes the key steps taken by IBM to transform the S/390® mainframe platform and to enhance customer satisfaction with improvements in cost, scalability, and application enablement. The effectiveness of the transformation is discussed in the context of performance and reliability, and the significance of cluster architecture is defined. Finally, mainframe resurgence is discussed, and factors important to enabling the growth of servers and microprocessors are presented.

Integration of machine organization and control program design: review and direction

This paper discusses the relationship between machine organization and control program design in high-end commercial computer systems. The criterion is cost/performance, subject to achieving an acceptable performance level. A brief discussion of the environment expected for the design and operation of high-end commercial computer systems is outlined, followed by a discussion of machine organization techniques which are classified and reviewed to permit a qualitative evaluation of the degree to which control program intent is exploited in machine organization. The thesis is developed next, using a hierarchical model which illustrates the contention that architecture has acted as a barrier to communication between the control program and machine organization. Examples of techniques that exploit knowledge of the intent of the control program and comments on the methodology that might be used to investigate such techniques follow. Directions for further research are then proposed.

Design of the IBM System/390 computer family for numerically intensive applications: an overview for engineers and scientists

The IBM System/390® (S/390) computer family provides a two-order-of-magnitude performance range for numerically intensive applications. The engineer or scientist can use the same operating system, compiler, and run-time environment commonly across the family. This paper provides an overview of primary S/390 hardware and software products of interest for numerically intensive applications, including MVS/ESA™, VM/ESA®, AIX/ESA™, and the extension of FORTRAN for very large applications and parallel applications. The primary portion of the paper is focused on details of design interest in three specific hardware products within the S/390 family, with emphasis on the Enterprise System/9000™ (ES/9000™) Model 900. Also described is a potential parallel-computing configuration using the ESCON Director™. The paper concludes with a discussion of the generic system environments within which S/390 products can support the technical user.