Terminals

• Data-entry terminals come in three types: intelligent, smart and dumb. A dumb terminal relies completely on the mainframe’s processor for its processing power. A smart terminal has a little of its own processing power, but is mostly reliant on the mainframe. An intelligent terminal has its own memory and processor and operates as a standalone device. Dumb terminals usually consist of just a keyboard and monitor, while smart terminals include the same, but also include a small processing unit. A common desktop computer and its peripheral devices are used as an intelligent terminal.
  
  

Mainframe

• Mainframe computers are very large and are able to support hundreds of data-entry terminals at one time. In the hierarchy of computers, a mainframe is a step below a supercomputer but, in some ways, is more powerful because of its ability to support more programs simultaneously than a supercomputer. However, a supercomputer can run a single program faster than a mainframe. At the time of publication, mainframes are not as commonly used as they were because of the widespread use of servers.
  
  

Servers

• In most situations, data-entry terminals are intelligent terminals connected to a server. A server is a computing device that manages a computer network’s resources. Four types of servers are commonly used: database, print, network and file. A file server is dedicated entirely to storing files and can be accessed for such by each terminal on the network. A print server hosts a network’s available printers and temporarily stores the data being printed until sending it to the assigned printer. A network server manages the network’s traffic, ensuring each terminal has equal access to the network’s servers. A database server is the part of the network that manages and facilitates all inquiries made by each terminal on the network, including the data-entry terminals.
  
  

Considerations

• As with any intelligent terminal, an intelligent data-entry terminal requires the use of a terminal emulation software program to interface with the mainframe. This application identifies the terminal as any other terminal to the mainframe and allows it to access the mainframe’s programs and data. Data-entry terminals are also referred to as workstations.