Do You Know About Mainframe Computers? Quiz

1.

In the early days of computing, mainframe computers were not just the largest computers; they were the only computers and few businesses could afford them.

True

False

In the early days of computing, mainframe computers were indeed the largest computers and few businesses could afford them. This statement is true because mainframe computers were the primary type of computer available during that time and they were very expensive, making them inaccessible for most businesses.

Explanation

In the early days of computing, mainframe computers were indeed the largest computers and few businesses could afford them. This statement is true because mainframe computers were the primary type of computer available during that time and they were very expensive, making them inaccessible for most businesses.

2. A mainframe is what businesses use to host the commercial databases, transaction servers, and applications that require a greater degree of security and availability than is commonly found on smaller-scale machines

True

False

A mainframe is a type of computer system that is commonly used by businesses to host important databases, transaction servers, and applications. These systems are designed to provide a higher level of security and availability compared to smaller-scale machines. Mainframes are known for their robustness and ability to handle large amounts of data and high workloads. Therefore, the statement that businesses use mainframes to host commercial databases, transaction servers, and applications requiring greater security and availability is true.

Explanation

A mainframe is a type of computer system that is commonly used by businesses to host important databases, transaction servers, and applications. These systems are designed to provide a higher level of security and availability compared to smaller-scale machines. Mainframes are known for their robustness and ability to handle large amounts of data and high workloads. Therefore, the statement that businesses use mainframes to host commercial databases, transaction servers, and applications requiring greater security and availability is true.

3. Processors may be shared among LPARs.

True

False

This statement is true because in a logical partitioning (LPAR) environment, multiple logical partitions can share a single physical processor. This allows for efficient utilization of computing resources by allowing multiple LPARs to run simultaneously on the same physical machine. Sharing processors among LPARs enables better flexibility and resource allocation in virtualized environments.

Explanation

This statement is true because in a logical partitioning (LPAR) environment, multiple logical partitions can share a single physical processor. This allows for efficient utilization of computing resources by allowing multiple LPARs to run simultaneously on the same physical machine. Sharing processors among LPARs enables better flexibility and resource allocation in virtualized environments.

4. The first general purpose computer, introduced by IBM in 1964, was the ________________.

ISeries

System/370

3390

System/360

The correct answer is System/360. The System/360 was the first general-purpose computer introduced by IBM in 1964. It was a groundbreaking computer system that allowed users to choose from a range of models with different capabilities and performance levels. The System/360 set the standard for future computer systems and played a significant role in the development of modern computing.

Explanation

The correct answer is System/360. The System/360 was the first general-purpose computer introduced by IBM in 1964. It was a groundbreaking computer system that allowed users to choose from a range of models with different capabilities and performance levels. The System/360 set the standard for future computer systems and played a significant role in the development of modern computing.

5. Which of the following is NOT a typical characteristic of mainframes?

Centralized control of resources.

The ability to interact directly with the user by means of pointing devices such as trackballs and "mice".

Hardware and operating systems that routinely work with hundreds or thousands of simultaneous I/O operations.

Mainframes are known for their centralized control of resources, the ability to share access to disk drives with other systems while ensuring data protection, and the capability to handle hundreds or thousands of simultaneous I/O operations. However, they are not typically designed to interact directly with the user through pointing devices like trackballs and mice.

Explanation

Mainframes are known for their centralized control of resources, the ability to share access to disk drives with other systems while ensuring data protection, and the capability to handle hundreds or thousands of simultaneous I/O operations. However, they are not typically designed to interact directly with the user through pointing devices like trackballs and mice.

6. In the mainframe computer environment, each user can access the computer's resources via what?

Node

Connecting hub

Terminal

None of the above

In the mainframe computer environment, each user can access the computer's resources via a terminal. A terminal is a device that allows users to interact with the mainframe computer, input commands, and receive output. It acts as an interface between the user and the mainframe, providing a way to access and utilize the computer's resources. Nodes and connecting hubs are not directly involved in the user's access to the mainframe, and therefore, they are not the correct answers.

Explanation

In the mainframe computer environment, each user can access the computer's resources via a terminal. A terminal is a device that allows users to interact with the mainframe computer, input commands, and receive output. It acts as an interface between the user and the mainframe, providing a way to access and utilize the computer's resources. Nodes and connecting hubs are not directly involved in the user's access to the mainframe, and therefore, they are not the correct answers.

7. Which of the following is NOT a mainframe operating system?

Z/OS

Z/VSE

Z/AIX

Z/VM

The correct answer is z/AIX because z/AIX is not a mainframe operating system. z/OS, z/VSE, and z/VM are all mainframe operating systems commonly used in IBM mainframe computers. However, z/AIX is not a mainframe operating system but rather an operating system used in IBM's AIX family of operating systems, which are designed for IBM Power Systems.

Explanation

The correct answer is z/AIX because z/AIX is not a mainframe operating system. z/OS, z/VSE, and z/VM are all mainframe operating systems commonly used in IBM mainframe computers. However, z/AIX is not a mainframe operating system but rather an operating system used in IBM's AIX family of operating systems, which are designed for IBM Power Systems.

8. Current mainframes have more than 16 channels and use ____ hexadecimal digits as the channel portion of an address.

1

2

4

Over 1000

Mainframes use two hexadecimal digits as the channel portion of an address. Hexadecimal digits range from 0 to 15, and two digits can represent values from 00 to FF, which is a total of 256 possible combinations. This allows mainframes to have more than 16 channels, providing a wider range of options for data transfer and processing.

Explanation

Mainframes use two hexadecimal digits as the channel portion of an address. Hexadecimal digits range from 0 to 15, and two digits can represent values from 00 to FF, which is a total of 256 possible combinations. This allows mainframes to have more than 16 channels, providing a wider range of options for data transfer and processing.

9. Shared DASD refers to the ability to ___________.

Allow two processors to work on the same job simultaneously.

Divide the workload as it arrives and assign different jobs to different LPARs.

Remove a disk and transport it to a distant system.

Allow two LPARs or two separate systems to share disks.

Shared DASD refers to the ability to allow two LPARs or two separate systems to share disks. This means that multiple logical partitions or separate systems can access and use the same disk storage simultaneously. This enables efficient resource utilization and data sharing between different systems or partitions, improving flexibility and scalability in a computing environment.

Explanation

Shared DASD refers to the ability to allow two LPARs or two separate systems to share disks. This means that multiple logical partitions or separate systems can access and use the same disk storage simultaneously. This enables efficient resource utilization and data sharing between different systems or partitions, improving flexibility and scalability in a computing environment.

10. Just like the first mainframes, zSeries mainframes have a single Central Processing Unit (CPU), although of course it is many times more powerful than the CPU of the original mainframes.

True

False

The given statement is false because zSeries mainframes do not have a single Central Processing Unit (CPU) like the first mainframes. In fact, zSeries mainframes are designed with multiple CPUs, making them much more powerful than the original mainframes.

Explanation

The given statement is false because zSeries mainframes do not have a single Central Processing Unit (CPU) like the first mainframes. In fact, zSeries mainframes are designed with multiple CPUs, making them much more powerful than the original mainframes.