Preface Today, mainframe computers play a central role in the daily operations of most of the world's largest corporations. While other forms of computing are used in business in various capacities, the mainframe occupies a prominent place in today's e-business environment. In banking, finance, health care, insurance, utilities, government, and a multitude of other public and private enterprises, the mainframe computer continues to provide the foundation of large-scale computing to modern business. The reasons for mainframe use are many, but generally fall into one or more of the following categories: Capacity Scalability Integrity and security Availability Access to large amounts of data System management Autonomic capabilities The mainframe owes much of its popularity and longevity to its inherent reliability and stability, a result of continuous technological advances since the introduction of the IBM® System/360TM in 1964. No other computer architecture in existence can claim as much continuous, evolutionary improvement, while maintaining compatibility with existing applications. This IBM Redbook is designed for readers who already possess a basic knowledge of mainframe computing, but need a clearer understanding of how the concepts ranging from capacity through to autonomic capabilities relate to mainframe planning, implementation, and operation. For readers who need more introductory information about mainframe concepts, usage, and architecture, we recommend that you complete Introduction to the New Mainframe: z/OS Basics, SG24-6366, prior to starting this book. And for more detailed information about z/OS programming topics, refer to the 11-volume IBM Redbook series ABCs of z/OS System Programming. All of these publications are available at the following site: http://www.redbooks.ibm.com © Copyright IBM Corp. 2006. All rights reserved. ix