NS Mainframe: Simple Guide and Overview
The term NS Mainframe has two main meanings:
HPE Non Stop Mainframe → A computer system made by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). It is used for critical jobs that cannot stop, like banking and telecom.
Norfolk Southern Mainframe → The system used by Norfolk Southern, a big U.S. railroad company. It supports employee access, train schedules, and company data.
Both stand for reliable and strong systems that help keep daily operations running.
Who uses NS Mainframe?
HPE NonStop is used by banks, stock markets, telecom providers, and government agencies.
Norfolk Southern Mainframe is used by railroad employees and managers to run daily freight operations.
History
HPE NonStop
Started in the 1970s by Tandem Computers.
Bought by Compaq in the 1990s.
Became part of HP in the 2000s.
Now run by HPE with modern products like the X5 family.
Norfolk Southern
First used IBM-style mainframes for freight and staff data.
Grew into the Horse Portal and ERC/WebConnect for employees.
Today still supports trains, schedules, and HR systems.
Features
HPE NonStop
Fault-tolerant → If one part fails, another takes over.
Scalable → Can grow by adding more servers.
Shared-nothing design → Each processor works alone, no single weak point.
Two operating systems → Guardian and OSS.
Databases → Enscribe and NonStop SQL.
Norfolk Southern
Horse Portal → Main login for employees.
ERC/WebConnect → Web tool to access the system.
Screen modes → Mod 2, 3, 4, 5 for different layouts.
Employee services → Payroll, scheduling, HR tools.
Use Cases
HPE NonStop
Banking → ATMs and credit cards. Imginn
Stock markets → Trades and clearing.
Telecom → Calls and billing.
Government → Secure national data.
Norfolk Southern
Train scheduling and routing.
HR and payroll for staff.
Operations planning for freight.
Compliance and reporting.
Benefits
| Feature | HPE NonStop | Norfolk Southern |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 99.999% uptime | Smooth daily rail operations |
| Scalability | Add more servers | Covers national network |
| Security | Strong access control | Protects employee data |
| Continuity | Transactions never stop | Freight runs on schedule |
Challenges
HPE NonStop
Seen as old tech compared to cloud.
Hard to migrate from old SNA networks to IP.
Fewer experts trained in NonStop.
Norfolk Southern
Access issues → Java and browser settings.
Training needed → Terminal use is not simple.
Modernization → Hard to upgrade without risk.
Comparisons
HPE NonStop vs IBM Z
| Feature | HPE NonStop | IBM Z |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Shared-nothing | Centralized |
| Key Strength | Fault tolerance | Central power + virtualization |
| Scalability | Horizontal growth | Vertical power |
| Use | Finance, telecom, stock markets | Banking, government, enterprise |
Norfolk Southern vs Other Railroads
All big railroads use mainframes.
NS uses Horse Portal and ERC/Web Connect as unique tools.
Modernization challenges are common across the industry.
Recent Updates
HPE → Released X5 systems, added cloud links with HPE Green Lake, faster networking (InfiniBand HDR200).
Norfolk Southern → Updated WebConnect guides, making employee access easier, but still uses older applet tools.
Stakeholders
HPE and partners (comforte, uLinga).
Banks and stock markets that need nonstop computing.
Norfolk Southern employees who log in daily.
Rail IT teams keeping the system stable.
FAQs
1. What is NS Mainframe?
NS Mainframe can mean two things. In technology, it refers to HPE NonStop mainframes, which are computer systems made for nonstop work in banks, telecom, and government. In railroads, it means the Norfolk Southern mainframe, which supports train schedules, HR, and employee access.
2. What are the features of NS Mainframe?
High reliability (almost no downtime).
Fault tolerance (backup process takes over if one fails).
Scalability (easy to add more servers).
Secure access for employees and data.
3. Why is NS Mainframe important?
Because NS Mainframe keeps critical services running.
Banks need nonstop transactions.
Telecom needs nonstop calls and billing.
Railroads need nonstop scheduling and logistics.
Without mainframes, these services could stop, causing huge losses.
4. What are the challenges of NS Mainframe?
For HPE NonStop: Seen as old technology, needs skilled staff, and hard migrations from older networks.
For Norfolk Southern: Login issues with WebConnect, need for training, and difficulty upgrading without downtime.
5. What is the difference between NS Mainframe and IBM Z?
NS Mainframe (HPE NonStop) uses a shared-nothing design for fault tolerance.
IBM Z is a centralized system with strong virtualization.
Both are powerful, but they work in different ways.
6. Is NS Mainframe still used today?
Yes. NS Mainframe is still widely used in finance, telecom, government, and railroads. HPE continues to update NonStop, and Norfolk Southern depends on its mainframe for daily train operations.
Conclusion
The term NS Mainframe means two things:
HPE NonStop → A global system used for industries where computers cannot fail.
Norfolk Southern’s mainframe → A system that runs a major railroad’s daily work.
Both show the same idea: systems that must never go down. In the future, both face change. HPE is moving toward cloud and virtual models. Norfolk Southern is trying to make employee access easier while keeping trains on time.
