Developing a Large Enterprise System IS Curriculum by Integrating the Traditional Mainframe and Client-Server Environments

摘要

The large enterprise mainframe system is evolving into a dynamic, multiplatform computer environment for the larger IS shop. Higher education institutions have over the past decade abandoned the traditional mainframe courses of MVS, JCL, IBM utilities, DB2, and COBOL and replace these courses with java, C++, Client-server, and Web technologies. Even though the latter courses are important within the overall context of information technology, the large enterprise systems are still dominated by mainframe technology especially in the financial and insurance markets. IBM has replaced the old MVS operation system with the new zOS system operating on the z-series computers, often called "zBoxes". These machines are more powerful and flexible than the older IBM machines. A crucial component of the zBox is the data communication component that interfaces with the mainframe communication link VTAM and the internet protocol TCP/IP. This data communication link establishes the zBox as a large server with the capabilities to perform within the client-server, the internet/intranet, and the Mainframe or legacy environments. This multiplatform capability gives the organization the advantages of each environment and the ability to work across environments.