Clarence1898 wrote:

> Reliability and redundancy is one of the strong points of IBMs last few
> generations of mainframes.  If any page of memory fails, the error can be
> corrected, if it is a hard error, that page of memory will be automatically
> taken offline. If a processor fails, there are spare processors that can take
> over and continue the operation if one fails.  Multiple paths to all i/o devices
> where possible.  Of course redundant power supplies. Much of the machines
> circuitry has redundant components. When a component fails, the machine phones
> home and reports the failure.  Many time operations is completely unaware of any
> problem until an IBM CE shows up at the door with a replacement part in hand.
> And many components can be replaced on the fly, with out any downtime. The
> latest machines are not totally fault tolerant, but each new generation is
> better than the last.  I think the latest z/9 and z/10 models have a MTBF of
> over 30 years.

That's pretty impressive, really...

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