Teleprocessing Software

Besides the hardware mentioned previously in this chapter, the host and the front-end processor must contain software in order for the network system to run effectively. Software may also be located in the terminals and the cluster control units. The types of software located in the host and the front-end processor will be discussed here.

• TCM: The teleprocessing software located in the host computer is known as the TeleCommunications Monitor (TCM). The typical functions of the TCM include: Setting priorities of incoming messages, providing network security, settling an interface between the teleprocessing system and the DBMS (database management system), and saving the contents of primary storage to secondary storage.

• NCP: The Network Control Program (NCP) is the name for the software located in the front- end processor. Its main functions are: determining if a terminal desires to obtain access to the network, organizing data and information within the network by stamping date and time, translating the codes received from other types of computer system, inspecting format errors in incoming delivery, saving recent incoming messages in secondary storage, and maintaining statistical records on network activity.