Difference between Server and Mainframe
Last Updated :
29 Aug, 2024
The terms “Server” and “Mainframe” are two terminologies that are quite frequently used in the modern world of Information Technology but in fact, two completely different systems designed for two different types of computations. It is essential to differentiate in order to make valid decisions regarding the servers one needs for the IT organization or mainframes for the organization’s needs. In this article, I plan on discussing these differences and explaining the roles and factors of each and how you may be able to pinpoint which avenue would be more useful to you.
What is a Server?
A server, as the name suggests, is basically a computer or PC with hardware with higher reliability or quality parts that are connected to a local area network, a wide area network, and the internet. It simply accesses, holds, and transfers all data and files from another computer machine over a computer network.
Examples: Linux, NetWare, Web server, etc.
Advantages of Servers
- Scalability: Servers can easily expand to fit a business's requirements and additional servers can always be added or current servers can be updated.
- Flexibility: Applications can be run depending on the operating system the server has or can have depending on the environment it is placed in.
- Cost-Effective: Servers are for the most part less expensive than mainframes and can be configured to meet certain needs.
Disadvantages of Servers
- Limited Processing Power: There may be also some limitations regarding to the tasks that demand enormous computational capacity and servers may lag behind mainframes.
- Complex Management: Computer systems are prone to collapses especially where several servers are involved and this means that good IT management skills are necessary.
- Security Concerns: Like any other hardware structure servers can also be susceptible to insecurity if the servers are not well configured and maintained properly.
What is Mainframe?
Mainframe, as name suggests, is a class of computer that handle and control large number of connected users, high volume of transactions, and provide more reliable performance. It works well with running scalable software and dealing with massively parallel operations. It is considered the best platform to execute millions of transactions in every single second.
Examples : IBM zSeries , System z9, System z10, NonStop , etc.
Advantages of Mainframes
- High Processing Power: Mainframes can actually process large amounts of data and throughput volume, thus unique for heavy duty operations.
- Reliability: Mainframes have been associated with stability and reliability with a low degree of downtime associated with them making them ideal for applications that would require them.
- Security: Mainframes are very secured machines with features that make them to meet stringent security needs of organizations such as financial institutions and health care organizations.
Disadvantages of Mainframes
- Cost: Mainframes are very costly to acquire, upkeep, and employ and are therefore capital intensive for any firm.
- Complexity: Mainframes are known to be complex systems in terms of both use and management and thus staffing can be expensive in this respect.
- Limited Flexibility: Mainframes are not as versatile as servers and are really designed to operate particular, market-specific applications.
Difference Between Server and Mainframe
Server | Mainframe |
|---|
| It controls and handle access to hardware, software, and other resources on network. | It controls and handle hundred and thousands of connected users simultaneously. |
| It provides centralized storage for programs, data, and information. | It provides storage for instructions, information, and huge amount of data. |
| These are small in size as compared to mainframe therefore require less floor space. | These are huge in size as compared to server therefore requires more floor space. |
| It is more cost effective as compared to mainframes. | It is more costly as compared to servers as its initial cost, cost of running, and maintenance cost is very high. |
| It provides various functionalities such as sharing data or resources among users, performing computation for client. | It provides e-commerce and mobile world more reliable, available and scalable way to perform their basic business functions. |
| They are designed to not only help business with data storage but also to improve efficiency and productivity. | These computers are designed to handle large-scale processing, data storage and other tasks. |
| It cannot handle huge volume of transactions, high reliability and different types of workloads. | It supports and handles huge volume of transactions, high reliability and support different types of workloads. |
| It is used in digital applications such as Big data, Edge, Cloud applications and IoT applications, etc. | It is used in Banking applications, high volume OLTP (Online Transaction Processing) applications, back-end systems, etc. |
| Cloud options are limitless and available in huge quantity. | Cloud options are limited in mainframes. |
| Performance of server get impacted if any components are overloaded. | Performance of mainframes does not get affected even if memory is overloaded. |
Conclusion
Server and mainframe are two important components of IT infrastructure but they are different in many ways and perform different functions within an organization’s computing environment. Servers are suitable for organizations that require scalable solutions to address a number of computation needs in an organization efficiently and effectively at a low cost while mainframes are suitable for large organizations, which run critical tasks that require high degree of processing power, reliability and security that mainframes offer. A comparative analysis of the two systems can allow identifying their strengths and weaknesses and therefore making a correct decision for the organization.
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