Because the existing mainframe computer is saturated and not upgradable anymore, NIU is purchasing a new mainframe computer.

“Because usage is continuing to grow we can’t upgrade this one anymore, we had to get a new platform that could add capacity,” said John Tuecke, associate vice president, systems.

The new mainframe comuter will be purchased at a cost of about $1.5 million, and is replacing the twice upgraded Amdahl 5850, which was installed in 1984. Tuecke said the installation is scheduled to occur the Friday after Thanksgiving from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. because it will require 12 hours of downtime.

“Everybody, including Northern is in the midst of a transition to an environment where a lot of computers are being used. In the early 80’s, mainframe comuters were primarily used. Today, computers have access to a variety of sources, including mainframes,” Tuecke said.

He added that small jobs have been transferred to other computers, and that jobs that take large amounts of data and require movement of data bases are saved for mainframes.

Improvements on the new mainframe, the Amdahl 5890-300E, include more memory that the existing machine, and the input/output channels will increase by 50 percent, Tuecke said.

“It’s a used machine, but a newer technology. The operating system is from IBM, and we’re not able to bring in IBM systems right now. The new machine will be compatable with IBM software, as well as twice as fast so we’ll be able to do twice as much work,” said Walter Czerniak, computer systems and operations center director.

The new mainframe will also be beneficial to computer science students as well, because they’ll see improved response time after they log in, Czerniak said.

Principal users for the mainframe computer include administration, faculty, faculty researchers, and students, primarily those involved with computer science, Tuecke said.

NIU will be paying for the new system in two installments, and is expecting that it will last two years before they will consider getting a new system, Czerniak said.