Evolution of Computing

From Centralized to Distributed Systems

Evolution of Computing
The nature and structure of computer networks have changed in conjunction with hardware and software technology Computers and networks have evolved from the highly centralized mainframe systems of the 1950s and 1960s to the distributed systems of the 1960 and into the new millennium Todays enterprise networks include a variety of computing devices such as terminals ,PCs ,workstations,minicomputers,mainframes and super computers. These devices can be connected via a number of networking technologies like LAN,MAN,WAN

Types of Computing Models

Mainframes Mini Computers Personnel Computer Client/Server Model

Mainframe
The Parent of all computers is the Mainframe The first mainframe computer were developed in 1940s, but they were only confined research and development uses. By the late 1950s governemnt and some corporate environments were using these computers

Mainframe Systems
These are very huge in size and in price. Together with connected I/O devices they occupied entire rooms. These are highly specialized :they were designed for specific tasks such as military applications.

Execution in mainframes
Using punched cards and paper tapes. Batch processing was implemented in this era. Now IBM is still the leading vendor of mainframes. With System/390 model and SNA.

1950s Mainframe Systems

Mini Computer
In the early 1960s individual departments maintain a separate computer called Super Computer. This Super Computer was first developed by Digital Equipment Corporation(DEC) (PDP5) in 1963. It has the same basic components of mainframes but occupied very small space. It is smaller , less powerful , and less expensive.

Distributed Mini Computer

Mini computer started the evolution from centralized to distributed computing in which no central authority ; all are same. Companies such as banks and retail purchased used this distributed mini computer.

Mini Computer

Personal Computer
In 1981 IBM released its first personal computer .These PCs sometimes called as MicroComputers since they are used micro chips. PCs are small ,low cost desktop systems which are appeared in every corporate and personal environment. From this era so many software's are released for general purposes such as word processing, spread sheets , graphics packages, and games.

Personal Computer