How to Differentiate Between the Mainframe & Server DASD
When learning about computer terminology, it is important to know how to discern various types of hardware and software. For instance, both "mainframe" and "server direct access storage device" -- or "server DASD" -- are older computer terms for specific types of hardware. While both still apply to modern computing hardware, they are not commonly used terms.
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Instructions
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Check the size of the hardware. This is the most obvious way to check the difference between the two. A mainframe refers to an entire computer system -- originally coined to refer to the room that contained all the computing equipment. On the other hand, a DASD is a single-storage device -- used within a mainframe -- to directly access data.
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Check whether you can store data directly to the device. DASDs -- which can encompass hard disk drives, magnetic drums and data cells -- all store information on them. A mainframe stores information on the DASD within it.
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Find out where the object is. Not only does a mainframe encompass a much larger space, but it is much rarer to need an entire room for a computer now. Internet servers could still be considered mainframe computers, due to number of DASDs and other computing components needed in them.
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