Mainframe Computer

• Mainframe: It refers to the kind of large computer that runs an entire corporation.

• Known as enterprise servers.

• Occupies entire rooms or floors.

• Used for centralized computing.

• Serve distributed users and small servers in a computing network.

• Large, Fast and Expensive computer.

• Cost millions of dollar.

• E.g. IBM3091, ICL39, etc. 

Characteristics

• Bigger in size than minicomputer.

• Very expensive.

• Support a few hundred users simultaneously ( Multi-users).

• Difficult to use.

• More computing power than minicomputer.

• Have to be kept in a special air-conditional form.

• Used in a big business organizational and government departments.