There are various types of computers of which mainframe is one of them. Mainframe computers are the ones that are designed with the onus to handle complex and large-scale computing tasks and ability something which normal computers cannot do. They are very powerful computers with processing capability and can handle tons of tasks at the same time while supporting multiple users and multiple applications.
Mainframe computers are used by various large-scale organizations like banks, government agencies, large corporations, business enterprises, and other healthcare chains alongside many more such companies. These computers help in processing, data transmission, analysis, and consolidation along with another host of larger tasks with ease. They are also highly reliable, secure, and scalable hence why the major corporations prefer using mainframe computers. They have been around for decades and have played a vital role in the overall development and conduct of business and other operations for a long. We here take a look at the major advantages of mainframe computers whilst also talking about a few of their drawbacks below. Read along.
Advantages of Mainframe Computers
1. Large scale processing power
Mainframe computers have large-scale processing power as they are designed to handle massive volumes of work and data calculations at the same time. The computers have multiple processors and threads that clock higher CPU speeds allowing them to conduct multiple tasks in just milliseconds, unlike other normal computers that take a long time it. These are much needed in areas like banking, finance, telecommunication, healthcare, and more where runtime and quick processing is of much importance.
2. Highly Reliable
When you compare the reliability of a mainframe computer with any other computer you’ll see the day and the night difference between the reliability offered by it. Mainframe computers are designed with failover mechanisms which means they can continue to perform even during times when some of the parts may have a hardware failure. This highly reliable nature of mainframe computers is vital as there’s negligible downtime and the computer can always offer uptime for performance on the go. For say, when comparing the uptimes of the mainframe computers you don’t take uptime measurements like that of normal computers in hours or days but in years. That showcases the significance of its reliability.
3. Scalable
Mainframe computers are designed with an eye on the scalability for future usage. The use of a mainframe computer isn’t just about getting the task in hand done properly, it is also about providing a platform for a scalable nature in the future. This means that through hardware and software upgrades, these can be enhanced to work on larger-scale projects and even handle the overloads with ease. This is vital for businesses and corporations who will likely need to upgrade or scale the services soon and will need enhanced computing powers to handle the load and conduct their operations without disrupting the flow.
4. Highly Secure
These computers are designed with the highest level of security interface in mind as they are used by larger corporations and government entities. This means any data breach or loopholes can disrupt the whole economy. That is why mainframe computers come with a multi-layered security approach that features robust access controls, intrusion detection, encryption, and a host of other security layers. These security layers and features make mainframe computers resistant to cyber-attacks and other threats from the internet and data breaches.
5. Compatibility
Another major advantage of a mainframe computer is the compatibility offered by it. Although mainframe computers come with their operating system, they support a wide range of software and hardware options. It also can run old software and programs that cannot run on modern-day computers as the support levels and compatibility of mainframe computers are vast. It also uses a process known as virtualisation which allows you to run multiple operating systems without any issue on the computer. This comes in handy for larger tasks.
Disadvantages of Mainframe Computers
1. High Cost of Investment
Mainframe computers are very expensive and require a large cost of investment upfront to set up such a system. This means that smaller organizations or companies cannot use the mainframe computers for their task as other alternate computers cannot be built or bought across the market at a much lower price than mainframe computers.
2. Maintenance and Handling
Mainframe computers are complex machines and require specialized knowledge and skillsets to maintain and run them. They cannot be handled by fresher or non-skilled members and hence require a skilled manpower team to handle and maintain them. This brings an additional cost of labor that may affect the finances of the companies. Also, the routine maintenance and the upgrades of mainframe computers are much more expensive than the normal computers and will eat up your budget.
3. Higher energy consumption
Mainframe computers require a large power supply and energy consumption for their running and hence create a large electricity bill. This increase in energy consumption means that when compared to other alternate means of computing choices, mainframe computers are environmentally raising concerns and also increasing operational costs for businesses.
4. Limited Scope of Usage
Mainframe computers are known to handle large-scale operations and tasks and they are much preferred by bigger corporations for their usability. But this is where their scope of use stops. Mainframe computers when put to use for normal tasks would mean underutilizing their computing powers and hence are limited to specialized operations only. That is a good thing but also a drawback due to the limited scope.
Final Words
Mainframe computers are specialized machines known for their top-level performance and output. This is a reason why they have been used extensively for all the major tasks and operations for bigger corporations, banking, finance, government, and more. The use of mainframe computers has helped us progress further and will continue offering us leaps and bounds in the future. There are a lot of advantages of mainframe computers alongside a few drawbacks that we aforementioned. We hope this showcases both sides of the case and helps in understanding it better.
