Portable Channel Emulator for Mainframe Peripheral Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for testing and diagnostics of mainframe peripheral devices require access to a mainframe computer, which is costly and complex, and lack the ability for remote control and configuration, making it difficult for developers to test and optimize channel programs without dealing with the complexities of a mainframe environment.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained and portable channel emulator that allows remote control and configuration of mainframe peripheral devices, utilizing a central processing unit with device driver and channel program software to perform testing and diagnostics, and supports secure remote operation through a network connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mainframe computer is used for testing and diagnostics of mainframe peripheral devices, then comprehensive testing capability is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the channel emulator functionality from the mainframe system, creating a standalone portable device that can be connected to peripheral devices for testing. This separates the testing function from the mainframe environment, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive testing capability through the emulator's specialized hardware and software components.
Solution Approach 2:
The channel emulator creates a simplified copy or representation of mainframe channel functionality. Instead of requiring the full mainframe system, the emulator replicates essential channel operations, I/O coordination, and data transfer functions in a portable device, enabling testing without the complexity of a complete mainframe environment.
2Reliability
If a mainframe computer is used for testing and diagnostics, then comprehensive testing capability is achieved, but maintenance cost and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts essential channel testing functionality from the mainframe and consolidates it into a portable channel emulator. This reduces the resource requirements for testing by eliminating the need for dedicated mainframe time, hardware staff, and complex infrastructure, while maintaining the ability to perform comprehensive peripheral device testing.
3Reliability
If channel programs are developed and executed on a host mainframe, then functional testing is achieved, but development complexity and time requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The channel emulator provides a simplified copy of mainframe channel functionality that is easier to interact with for development purposes. It maintains the essential I/O operations and channel program execution capabilities while presenting a more user-friendly interface and faster setup time, reducing the development cycle for channel program testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable channel emulator allows developers to perform preliminary testing and optimization of channel programs in a portable environment before final execution on the mainframe. This preliminary action enables iterative development and debugging without requiring immediate access to the mainframe system, reducing overall development time.
4Ease of operation
If a portable channel emulator is used for testing, then ease of operation and portability are improved, but remote control capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The channel emulator is designed with multi-functionality to provide both local and remote operation capabilities. It includes network interface components that enable remote access through standard network protocols, allowing the portable device to function both as a standalone unit and as a remotely controlled system, thus maintaining versatility despite its portable nature.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a system to emulate a mainframe data channel for testing and diagnostics of mainframe peripheral devices and for remote control and configuration of the testing and diagnostics. The system includes an emulator central processing unit communicably attached to at least one of the mainframe peripheral devices. First driver software is resident in the emulator central processing unit to initialize and start an adaptor for at least one mainframe peripheral device. Second channel program software is resident in the emulator central processing unit having commands to the emulator central processing unit and to the mainframe peripheral devices. Third application software is resident in the emulator central processing unit to test and diagnose the mainframe peripheral devices. Fourth software resident in the emulator central processing unit validates remote access to the emulator central processing unit.