Incoming
Enhanced Definition
Refers to the process or state of an external entity, such as data streams, network traffic, transaction requests, or job submissions, arriving at and being received by an IBM z/OS system or an application running within its environment. It signifies the initiation of processing for information or work originating from outside the mainframe's immediate control.
Key Characteristics
-
- External Origin: The entity typically originates from a client workstation, another server, a network device, or a remote system outside the z/OS mainframe.
- Resource Consumption: Processing incoming entities consumes mainframe resources, including CPU cycles, memory, I/O operations, and network bandwidth.
- Asynchronous Handling: Many incoming processes (e.g., network data, transaction requests) are handled asynchronously, allowing the mainframe to manage multiple concurrent arrivals efficiently without blocking.
- Security Scrutiny: All incoming connections, data, and requests are typically subject to rigorous security checks (e.g.,
RACF, network firewalls, application-level authentication) to ensure authorized access and data integrity. - Diverse Entry Points: Can arrive via