
12 Introduction to the New Maineframe: z/VSE Basics
1.7 Factors contributing to mainframe use
The reasons for mainframe use are many, but most generally fall into one or more
of the following categories:
Reliability, availability, and serviceability
Security
Scalability
Continuing compatibility
Evolving architecture
Let us look at each of these categories in more detail.
1.7.1 Reliability, availability, and serviceability
The reliability, availability, and serviceability (or RAS) of a computer system
have always been important factors in data processing. When we say that a
particular computer system
exhibits RAS characteristics, we mean that ...