Enhancements to the IBM zSeries 900 Family of Servers

At a Glance

New functions and features being delivered from IBM:

• OSA-Express Token Ring
• HiperSockets
• FICON Express
• FICON CTC
• IBM PCI Cryptographic Accelerator (PCICA)
• RMF support for PCICA, PCICC, and CCF
• Customer-defined UDXs
• System-Managed CF Structure Duplexing
• Intelligent Resource Director (IRD) LPAR CPU Management support for Linux
• Concurrent Memory Upgrade
• Concurrent UNDO CBU
• RMF reporting on SAP

Overview

IBM extends mainframe leadership through eLiza initiatives.

IBM leads the industry in bringing security to e-business with the integrated security features of the z/Architecture. The new IBM PCI Cryptographic Accelerator extends this to provide leading-edge performance of the complex RSA crypto operations used in the SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) protocol.

The zSeries 900 can deliver the highest level of application availability required in today's global networked environment. With z/OS™ support available by the end of 2001*, System-Managed Coupling Facility (CF) Structure Duplexing provides enhanced failure recovery capabilities while reducing the complexity of CF structure recovery.

The connected world is demanding. You need to provide fast data access and continuous data availability, improved flexibility and management of data, all with lower total cost of ownership. zSeries 900 with FICON™ Express and native FICON-attached devices can help achieve these goals. The newly designed FICON Express adapter with its faster internal bus structure and new connectors is the z900's latest implementation of Fibre Channel Architecture. FICON Express provides all the function, performance, and flexibility of FICON with increased bandwidth to further consolidate and simplify configurations. The FICON Express SX and LX feature numbers 2320 and 2319 will displace the corresponding FICON feature numbers 2318 and 2315, respectively, when they become available.

FICON CTC (Channel-to-Channel) connectivity not only increases bandwidth between systems, but also has the potential to allow consolidation of several channels.

High-speed interconnects for TCP/IP communication, HiperSockets, let TCP/IP traffic travel between partitions at memory speed rather than network speed. The new OSA-Express Token Ring, along with the OSA-Express Gigabit Ethernet, provides leading communication to users.

The result is ultra-high-speed communications within the server, between servers, and out to users, allowing greater integration between traditional and Web applications geared towards maximizing e-business effectiveness.

*

An announcement will be made by the end of June of 2002 with more information on the availability and requirements for System-Managed Coupling Facility (CF) Structure Duplexing.

Key Prerequisites

Refer to the Software Requirements section of this announcement.

Planned Availability Dates

October 31, 2001, for all models and all features, except as otherwise stated below:

• RMF™ support for PCICA and PCICC reports: November 30, 2001
• z/OS support for System-Managed CF Structure Duplexing: Expected to be December 2001*
• z/OS support for HiperSockets: Expected to be December 2001
• z/OS support for CPU management for non-z/OS LPARs: Expected to be December 2001

Description

Security News

IBM PCI Cryptographic Accelerator (PCICA — Feature Number 0862), Unique Crypto Card Designed to Implement SSL Encryption: The IBM PCI Cryptographic Accelerator (PCICA) is a very fast cryptographic processor designed to provide leading-edge performance of the complex RSA crypto operations used in the SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) protocol. SSL is an essential and widely used protocol in secure e-business applications. The new PCICA feature is designed to address the high-performance SSL needs of e-business applications, and has a design point different from the existing zSeries CMOS Cryptographic Coprocessor and zSeries PCI Cryptographic Coprocessor feature. The Accelerator is designed specifically for maximum-speed SSL acceleration rather than for specialized financial applications or for secure long-term storage of keys and secrets. As a result, it does not need the tamper design of the zSeries CMOS Cryptographic Coprocessor and zSeries PCICC feature.

Each zSeries PCI Cryptographic Accelerator feature contains two cryptographic accelerator cards and can support up to 2100 SSL handshakes/sec. However, the maximum number of SSL handshakes/sec that can be supported on a z900 server by any combination of CMOS crypto, PCICC crypto, and PCICA crypto is limited by the amount of CPU cycles available to perform the software portion of the SSL handshake. Current performance measurements with z/OS suggest that on a 16-way z900, the maximum rate attainable is 3850 SSL handshakes/second.

Support for the zSeries PCI Cryptographic Accelerator feature will be provided on z/OS 1.2 by the Integrated Cryptographic Services Facility (ICSF) and System SSL functions within z/OS 1.2. Applications that use System SSL, such as z/OS http server (and WebSphere™), TN3270 server, LDAP server, and CICS^® Transaction Gateway server will transparently use the zSeries Cryptographic Accelerator feature. Applications that call ICSF directly for "clear key" RSA operations will also transparently use the zSeries PCI Cryptographic Accelerator feature. Support for zSeries PCICA will also be provided on Linux for zSeries through PKCS #11 API support.

The cryptographic accelerator technology of the zSeries PCICA feature is also available on specific IBM pSeries servers as the IBM e-business Cryptographic Accelerator (#4960).

Cryptographic Architecture for PCI Attached Processor: IBM's new architecture for the PCICA exploits and extends the existing adjunct-processor (AP) architecture used in the PCICC. This is accomplished by providing specific request/response-message invocation to more directly access the cryptographic engines of a PCICA. The same message transport of the PCICC is used, but by using fully architected message content from a CPU to a PCICA, complex microcode involved with the cryptographic calculation is eliminated, providing improved performance.

A PCICA provides an additional z/900 enhancement that extends the RSA-signature processing of the Cryptographic Coprocessor feature and the PCICC. A single PCICA provides multiple, independent and concurrent cryptographic engines that are dedicated to performing signature operations in support of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) processing, which is at the heart of secure transactions on the Internet. PCICA supports all modulus sizes up to 2048 bits.

PCI Cryptographic Coprocessor Supports the Loading of Customized Cryptographic Functions: This capability now allows you to develop extensions to IBM's Common Cryptographic Architecture (CCA). With zSeries PCI Cryptographic Coprocessors z/OS V1R2, and under a special contract with IBM, customers will gain the flexibility to define and build custom cryptographic functions themselves.

Resource Measurement Facility (RMF) for Crypto: For PCICC and PCICA, RMF will report per (daughter) card:

• Request rate (the number of requests per second), utilization (how much of the interval the card was busy), and execution time (the average duration per request in milliseconds)
• For PCICC, rate, execution time, and utilization percent for all operations (referred as TOTAL)
• For PCICA, rate, execution time, and utilization percent for all operations, for 1024-bit ME format RSA operations, for 1024-bit CRT format RSA operations, and for 2048-bit CRT format RSA operations

For CCF, RMF will report on single and triple DES encryption, MAC generate and verify, HASH, and PIN verify and translate calls.

These functions will be made available in PTF UW99368 for APAR OW49808, based on z/OS V1R2 RMF.

RMF Enhancements

The Monitor I I/O Queuing report of the Resource Measurement Facility (RMF) has been enhanced by providing more information about the utilization of I/O processors. This will help you in analyzing your IOP capacity and in planning future growth.

Networking Enhancements

OSA-Express Update

VSE/ESA™: The OSA-Express features will be supported by VSE/ESA beginning with Version 2 Release 6.

Expanded SNMP Management Support: Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a network management protocol available in the TCP/IP protocol suite. With SNMP, information about the configuration and the status of nodes can be exchanged. The available information is defined by a set of managed objects referred to as the SNMP Management Information Base (MIB). SNMP can also generate trap messages to report significant TCP/IP events.

The OSA-Express features provide data for use by an SNMP management application, such as NetView. This data is organized into MIB tables defined in the Communications Server "Enterprise-Specific" MIB. The data is supported by the Communications Server SNMP TCP/IP subagent. The Enterprise-Specific MIB requires that the Open Systems Adapter Support Facility (OSA/SF) be operational.

Communications Server for OS/390^® Version 2 Release 10 introduced SNMP support of RFC 2665 dot3StatsTable for the OSA-Express features.

z/OS V1 R2 Communications Server expands SNMP support for the OSA-Express features. Whether on a G5/G6 Server or a z900, users can get the descriptive MIB objects from the channel table data, the Ethernet port table data, and the Ethernet SNA table data. For z900 environments, also available are a performance table and performance MIB objects in the channel table. This requires the latest level of z900 LIC (Licensed Internal Code).

Performance Information: z/OS V1 R2 Communications Server also expands SNMP support to include performance data for the OSA-Express features. Performance data is currently available for the OSA-Express features via the Resource Measurement Facility (RMF). This information shows microprocessor utilization (per Logical PARtition — LPAR), physical PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus utilization, and bandwidth per port. This information is available for the READ path (network to server) and the WRITE path (server to the network) for each LPAR.

For z900 environments only, this same information will now be available via SNMP as well as OSA/SF, and can be accessed by network administrators.

Refer to zSeries 900 Open Systems Adapter-Express Customer's Guide and Reference (SA22-7476-01) for more details. Also refer to z/OS Communications Server: IP Configuration Guide and the SNMP chapter of IP System Administrator's Commands in your Communications Server library for a complete description of the SNMP management data supported for OSA-Express features.

Enhanced TCP/IP Connectivity: The OSA-Express features on the z900 now support a maximum of 2048 IP addresses per port for a total of 4096 IP addresses per z900 OSA-Express feature. Previously each port supported a maximum of 512 IP addresses per port (1024 IP addresses per feature on z900).

The goal of this increase is to ensure there are a sufficient number of IP addresses for use by the multiple IP stacks, multiple LPARs, and Virtual Internet Protocol Addressing (VIPA). Each IP device has an entry in the OSA Address Table (OAT) which is built dynamically when an OSA-Express feature operates in QDIO mode, and is customized using the OSA Support Facility (OSA/SF) when an OSA-Express feature operates in non-QDIO mode. The OAT entry defines the data path between a port and a logical partition and unit address, as well as managing the traffic through an OSA CHPID.

Integrated Services — NULL VLAN Tagging: This function is a component of 802.1q and enables service differentiation across a switched VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network), including a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN). This function is currently available for routing in a Wide Area Network (WAN) via ToS/DSCP. By "marking" both VLAN and ToS/DSCP, this function enables more consistent end-to-end service differentiation.

This support is offered for OSA-Express Gigabit Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and 155 ATM Ethernet LAN Emulation when in QDIO mode. This support is offered in z/OS V1R2, only.

OSA-Express Token Ring Feature: A new Token Ring feature, OSA-Express Token Ring, is being introduced to replace the currently available OSA-2 Token Ring feature. Like the OSA-2 feature, the new OSA-Express Token Ring feature has two independent ports. While the two ports on the OSA-2 feature share one Channel Path Identifier (CHPID), two CHPIDs are required for the OSA-Express Token Ring feature, one for each port. Each port supports attachment to a 4, 16, or 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) Token Ring LAN using a shielded twisted pair (STP) or unshielded twisted pair (UTP) interface terminated with an 8-pin RJ-45 connector.

The OSA-Express Token Ring feature supports autosensing as well as any of the following settings: 4 Mbps half- or full-duplex, 16 Mbps half- or full-duplex, 100 Mbps full-duplex. Regardless of the choice made, the network switch settings must agree with those of the OSA-Express Token Ring feature. If the LAN speed defaults to autosense, the OSA-Express Token Ring feature will sense the speed of the attached switch and insert into the LAN at the appropriate speed. If the Token Ring feature is the first station on the LAN and the user specifies autosense, it will default to a speed of 16 Mbps and will attempt to open in full-duplex mode. If unsuccessful, it will default to half-duplex mode. The OSA-Express Token Ring feature conforms to the IEEE 802.5 (ISO/IEC 8802.5) standard.

The OSA-Express features continue to be optional features and are selectable. The OSA-Express Token Ring feature is installed in the z900 new I/O cage and displaces the corresponding Open Systems Adapter-2 (OSA-2) Token Ring feature number 5201 (installed in the z900 compatibility I/O cage) when it becomes available.

The announcement of OSA-Express Token Ring satisfies the Statement of General Direction contained in the October 3, 2000, hardware announcement, IBM zSeries 900: A Multipurpose Server for Enterprise-Class e-business.

QDIO Support: The OSA-Express Token Ring feature supports Queued Direct Input/Output (QDIO), a highly efficient data transfer architecture that breaks the barriers associated with the Channel Control Word (CCW) architecture. QDIO increases data rates, by reducing CPU cycle consumption and system overhead per data transfer, and improves throughput using host system memory queues and a signaling protocol to directly exchange data between the OSA-Express microprocessor and host memory. If you are using QDIO with the OSA-Express Token Ring feature, it is highly recommended that the feature be set to operate at 100 Mbps, not 4 or 16 Mbps.

If configured for Queued Direct Input/Output (QDIO), the feature supports only TCP/IP traffic. Two functions provided in CS for z/OS and CS for OS/390 can help access SNA applications via TCP/IP technology. One function is Enterprise Extender, which can be used to carry SNA traffic from SNA end point devices over a TCP/IP network and into the z900 via TCP/IP, ultimately to the SNA application. Another function is the TN3270 Server, which supports IP browser access to SNA host applications.

Refer to the Software Requirements section of this announcement for the operating system support.

Non-QDIO Support: The Token Ring feature supports Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) as well as Systems Network Architecture/Advanced Peer-to-Peer Networking^®/High Performance Routing (SNA/APPN^®/HPR) when configured as non-QDIO. The OSA-Express Token Ring feature can operate effectively at 4, 16, or 100 Mbps when configured to use the non-QDIO CHPID type OSE.

Refer to the Software Requirements section of this announcement for the operating system support.

Both TCP/IP (LAN Channel Station [LCS]) and SNA traffic (Link Services Architecture [LSA]) can run concurrently on each port.

Refer to zSeries 900 Open Systems Adapter-Express Customer's Guide and Reference (SA22-7476-01) for more details, including OSA Support Facility (OSA/SF) requirements.

HiperSockets

HiperSockets provides the fastest TCP/IP communication between consolidated Linux, z/VM™, and z/OS virtual servers on a z900. HiperSockets provides up to four internal LANs which act like TCP/IP networks within the z900. This integrated z900 Licensed Internal Code (LIC) function coupled with supporting operating system device drivers establishes a higher level of network availability, security, simplicity, performance, and cost effectiveness than available when connecting single servers or Logical PARtitions (LPARs) together using an external TCP/IP network.

The HiperSockets function, also known as iQDIO or internal QDIO, is tightly integrated into the z900 system to provide users with attachment to up to four high-speed "logical" Local Area Networks (LANs) with minimal system and network overhead.

HiperSockets eliminates the need to utilize I/O subsystem operations and the need to traverse an external network connection to communicate between LPARs in the same server. HiperSockets offers significant value in server consolidation connecting many virtual servers and can be used instead of certain XCF link configurations in a Parallel Sysplex^®.

HiperSockets is customizable to accommodate varying traffic sizes. Management and administration cost reductions over existing configurations are possible. Since HiperSockets does not use an external network, it can free up system and network resources, eliminating attachment costs while improving availability and performance.

Channel Enhancements

FICON Express: FICON Express is a newly designed adapter with a faster internal bus structure and new connectors. It is the z900's latest implementation of Fibre Channel Architecture. FICON Express provides all the function, performance, and flexibility of FICON with increased bandwidth to further consolidate and simplify configurations.

FICON Express for Improved Performance and Bandwidth: IBM's FICON Express architecture provides bandwidth, distance, and architectural relief beyond the capability of parallel and ESCON^® channels. Installations that exploit FICON technology may still use ESCON I/O devices, but e-businesses increasingly are encountering ESCON channel architecture limitations.

Some FICON Express advantages over ESCON include:

• FICON Express provides a 10X improvement in distance solutions supporting disaster recovery applications.
  • ESCON data droop starts at 9 km.
  • FICON Express has negligible data droop up to 100 km.
• FICON Express provides 6X the effective bandwidth per channel.
  • Maximum ESCON rate is 17 MB/s.
  • Maximum FICON Express rate is 100 MB/s for either all reads or all writes and greater than 100 MB/sec for a combination of large sequential read and write operations.
• FICON Express supports 6X the I/O operations per second.
  • ESCON provides up to 1200 4K IOs/sec.
  • FICON Express provides up to 7200 4K IOs/sec.
  • 350% to 400% current ESCON channel utilization can be consolidated onto a single FICON Express channel for reasonable response times in a production workload environment.
• FICON Express provides 16X as many devices.
  • ESCON supports 1K unit addresses per channel.
  • FICON Express supports 16K unit addresses per channel.
• FICON Express uses fiber more efficiently.
  • ESCON has half duplex transfer data.
  • FICON Express has full duplex transfer data.
• FICON Express provides relief for "channel constrained" systems!
  • Maximum FICON Express/ESCON channels is equivalent to up to 928 ESCON channels.

FICON Express LX (#2319): The FICON Express LX (long wavelength) feature has an enhanced design that includes a new higher-performing 66 MHz, 64-bit PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) infrastructure which can improve performance versus the FICON LX feature number 2315, which has a 33 MHz, 32-bit PCI infrastructure. The FICON Express LX feature utilizes an LC Duplex connector versus the SC Duplex connector used with the FICON LX feature.

After October 31, 2001, FICON Express LX feature number 2319 will be the only Longwave FICON feature number that can be ordered for the IBM 2064 and feature number 2315 will no longer be able to be ordered. FICON Express requires Licensed Internal Code (LIC) CPC EC J10638 and HMC EC J10645, which requires an outage.

The FICON Express LX feature has two independent ports, each port supporting attachment to an ESCON Director Model 5 with a FICON LX Bridge feature, to a Fibre Channel Director with a Fibre Channel/FICON LX feature, or to a control unit with a Fibre Channel/FICON LX feature. The FICON Express LX feature utilizes a long wavelength laser as the optical transceiver and supports use of a 9/125-micrometer single mode fiber optic cable terminated with an LC Duplex connector. The FICON Express LX feature supports the use of MCP cables for the reuse of multimode fiber optic cables, with 1 Gb links only (100 MB/sec).

FICON Express SX (#2320): The FICON Express SX (short wavelength) feature has an enhanced design that includes a new higher-performing 66 MHz, 64-bit PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) infrastructure which can improve performance versus the FICON SX feature number 2318, which has a 33 MHz, 32-bit PCI infrastructure. The FICON Express SX feature utilizes an LC Duplex connector versus the SC Duplex connector used with the FICON SX feature.

After October 31, 2001, FICON Express feature number 2320 will be the only Shortwave FICON feature number that can be ordered for the IBM 2064 and feature number 2318 will no longer be able to be ordered. FICON Express requires Licensed Internal Code (LIC) CPC EC J10638 and HMC EC J10645, which requires an outage.

The FICON Express SX feature has two independent ports, each port supporting attachment to a control unit with a Fibre Channel/FICON SX feature. The FICON Express SX feature utilizes a short wavelength laser as the optical transceiver, and supports use of a 50/125-micrometer multimode fiber optic cable or a 62.5/125-micrometer multimode fiber optic cable terminated with an LC Duplex connector.

FICON CTC: With the IBM zSeries 900, FICON and FICON Express now support FICON CTC. This Channel-to-Channel connectivity not only will increase bandwidth between systems, but also has the potential to consolidate several channels onto one. FICON CTC is not limited to only 512 devices (like ESCON), but will also support up to 16K device definitions. An underutilized CTC connection could also carry data to and from disk, freeing up another channel connection for other vital work. FICON CTC supports full duplexing, increased number of start I/Os per second, and higher bandwidth to further simplify your configuration.

FICON or FICON Express and the IBM Enterprise Storage Server™: The IBM Enterprise Storage Server (ESS) now supports native FICON. A leading storage solution used in Storage Area Networks (SANs), the ESS has just become even better.

The ESS, designed to provide a high level of performance, reliability, and heterogeneous server connectivity, is expanding its performance and connectivity options with support for native FICON attachment and new enhanced Fibre Channel and ESCON adapters. A new 24 GB Cache feature has been added, providing an additional level of configuration flexibility and granularity.

IMS™ is providing support for the Fiber Connection (FICON) Channel-to-Channel (CTC) support through its Multiple Systems Coupling (MSC) Facility, enabling higher message throughput between processors.

IMS MSC FICON CTC support increases the volume of IMS messages that can go between IMS systems when using the IMS MSC facility. The IMS MSC facility provides reliable, high-bandwidth host-to-host communications support between IMS systems that IMS customers require. CTC is one of the physical host-to-host MSC connections supported by IMS. With the CTC bandwidth now being enhanced through the FICON channel support for CTCs on the new IBM zSeries processors, it is estimated that one FICON CHPID can do the work of a number of ESCON CHPIDs. This increased capability is the result of the faster data transfer and higher throughputs of FICON. The distance between hosts can also be increased. IMS MSC support, provided for this new FICON CTC support, could greatly improve the bandwidth across systems. IMS MSC FICON CTC support requires at least one side of the MSC link be an IBM zSeries with the FICON channel and FICON CTC microcode. The other side (IMS) can be any processor with a FICON channel. This IMS MSC support is being provided through the IMS V7 service process.

z/900 Synergy with IBM z/OS

IBM z/OS V1R2 continues to support your business needs by offering:

• Improved qualities of service in a Parallel Sysplex environment through System-Managed CF Structure Duplexing (software is expected to be available in December 2001*).
• System resources dynamically managed across logical partitions based on workload priorities and business goals with IRD. This includes CPU resources for non-z/OS partitions such as Linux and VM (software is expected to be available in December 2001).
• New high-speed low-latency TCP/IP communication (HiperSockets and HiperSockets Accelerator) between logical partitions that will facilitate deployment of new Linux and z/OS applications on the z900 servers (software is expected to be available in December 2001).

The IBM zSeries 900, together with z/OS, the next generation of the OS/390 operating system, Linux for zSeries, and z/VM, will play a critical role in an e-business infrastructure. The z900 provides the base for the new z/Architecture with 64-bit support, Intelligent Resource Director, and LAN in memory. This architecture is the base for future system enhancements, providing cost benefits, increased reliability, reduced configuration planning, and ease of system management, allowing users to access their key transactions and data on z/OS. Therefore, you are encouraged to consolidate disparate dedicated non-IBM servers onto z900 virtual servers.

*

An announcement will be made by the end of June of 2002 with more information on the availability and requirements for System-Managed Coupling Facility (CF) Structure Duplexing.

Coupling Facility Enhancement

System-Managed CF Structure Duplexing: A set of architectural extensions to the Parallel Sysplex is introduced for the support of System-Managed Duplexing of coupling facility structures for high availability. All three structure types (cache structures, list structures, and locking structures) can be duplexed using this architecture. The new set of features is quite extensive and, taken in total, represents the most significant extension to the Parallel Sysplex Architecture since its inception.

Benefits of System-Managed CF Structure Duplexing include:

• Availability

  Faster recovery of structures by having the data already in the second CF. Furthermore, if a potential IBM, vendor, or customer CF exploitation were being prevented due to effort required by providing alternative recovery mechanisms such as structure rebuild, log recovery, and so on, System-Managed Duplexing could provide the solution.

• Manageability and Usability

  A consistent procedure to set up and manage structure recovery across multiple exploiters.

• Cost Benefits

  Enables the use of non-stand-alone CFs (for example, ICFs) for all resource sharing and data sharing environments.

Support for these extensions is included in CFCC Level 10 and in z/OS Release 1.2. It also requires the appropriate level for the exploiter of System-Managed CF Structure Duplexing. Installing these releases and enabling this new function provide the necessary base for highly available coupling facility structure data through the redundancy of duplexing, enhance Parallel Sysplex ease of use by reducing the complexity of CF structure recovery, and may also enable some installations to eliminate the requirement for stand-alone CFs in their Parallel Sysplex configuration. For those CF structures that support use of System-Managed CF Structure Duplexing, you have the ability to selectively by structure enable or disable the use of CF duplexing dynamically. The server microcode to support CF Duplexing is included in Licensed Internal Code (LIC) CPC EC J10638 and HMC EC J10645.

The most visible change for CF duplexing is the requirement to connect coupling facilities with coupling links. The required connectivity is bi-directional with a sender and receiver channel attached to each CF for each remote CF connection. For peer mode links (ISC-3, ICB-3, IC-3), a single channel provides both the sender and receiver capabilities, and so only one physical link is required between each pair of CFs. For compatibility mode links, two links are required to establish a connection, with a sender and receiver channel located in each CF. If redundancy is included for availability, two peer mode links or four compatibility mode links are required. However, this does not necessarily imply any requirement for additional physical links. Peer mode sender channels can be shared between ICF partitions and local z/OS partitions, so existing links between zSeries servers can provide the connectivity between z/OS partitions and coupling facility images as well as between coupling facility images. Support for configuring sender channels (CFS, CBS, and ICS) to a Coupling Facility is contained in zSeries, G5, G6, and R06, and support for sharing the sender channels between an ICF partition and multiple z/OS partitions is contained in zSeries, G5, and G6. The support for configuring sender channels within the Coupling Facility requires APARs.

One of the benefits of System-Managed CF Structure Duplexing is to hide structure failures and total loss of connectivity incidents. This is handled by:

• hiding the observed failure condition from the active connectors to the structure, so that they do not perform unnecessary recovery actions,
• switching over to the structure instance that did not experience the failure, and
• re-establishing a new duplex copy of the structure as the Coupling Facility becomes available again or on a third CF in the Parallel Sysplex.

System messages are generated as the structure falls back to simplex mode for monitoring and automation purposes. Until a new duplexed structure can be established the structure is recovered in the pre-duplexed manner as required by the exploiter. As the two instances of a system-managed duplexed structure get update requests, they need to coordinate execution of the two commands to ensure that the updates are made consistently to both structures. Read operations do not need to be duplexed.

Configuration management considerations are designed into System-Managed CF Structure Duplexing in several directions. Path management and recovery of CF-CF links are performed automatically for a highly available solution. New operator commands are being extended in z/OS to display the status of the new links for problem determination. In addition, the Resource Measurement Facility (RMF) for z/OS 1.2 provides the performance management aspects about the new CF-CF connectivity and the duplexed structures. Together, these enable the installation to manage and monitor the CF configuration and new structure instances resulting from System-Managed Structure Duplexing.

Coupling Facility Links: As of October 2001, the number of links available on the Model 100 (stand-alone) Coupling Facility is increased. RPQ 8P2248 is available to raise the number of ISC/ISC-3 links up to 42. In addition, to support System-Managed CF Structure Duplexing, one can define up to 32 internal IC links between LPARs within the Model 100. This is recommended only in a test environment as IBM recommends that the structure and its duplexed copy be in separate CECs. The maximum number of hardware links (ICB, ICB-3, ISC/ISC-3) orderable on the Model 100 is increased to 64, and the maximum total number of hardware and internal links is 64.

Dynamic I/O Configuration for Peer Mode Links: Dynamic I/O Configuration enhances system availability by supporting the dynamic addition, removal, or modification of channel paths, control units, I/O devices, and I/O configuration definitions to both hardware and software without requiring a planned outage.

Support will be available to dynamically reconfigure Compatibility Mode receiver links. Previously, this was possible only with sender links. In addition, dynamic reconfiguration has been extended to internal coupling, and peer mode CF links on z900 models. This allows changing an ISC link from compatibility to peer mode (or visa versa), changing an ICB to an ICB-3 link, and adding or deleting internal coupling links without disrupting other work on the server. Availability is enhanced when a z900 is configured to a 9672 with compatibility links, and the 9672 is upgraded to a z900. The links on the original z900 can now be converted dynamically to peer while all other work continues without disruption.

GDPS™ Support for Peer-to-Peer Virtual Tape Server (PtP VTS): The Geographically Dispersed Parallel Sysplex™ solution has been extended to include tape data in its management of data consistency and integrity across sites with the announced support of the Peer-to-Peer VTS configuration (Hardware Announcement 101-215 , dated July 31, 2001). The PtP VTS provides a hardware-based duplex tape solution and GDPS automatically manages the duplexed tapes in the event of a planned site switch or a site failure.

A new I/O VTS selection option is provided especially for use with GDPS, such that all virtual volumes are processed from a primary VTS, and a copy is stored on the secondary VTS. Control capability has been added to allow GDPS to "freeze" copy operations, so that tape data consistency can be maintained across GDPS-managed sites during a switch between the primary and secondary VTSs. Synchronization of system data sets such as catalogs, the tape control database, and tape management databases is also provided with the PtP VTS after an emergency switchover.

Operational data, data that is used directly by applications supporting end users, is normally found on disk. For the past several years, GDPS has provided continuous availability and near transparent business continuity for disk-resident data. However, there is another category of data that "supports" the operational data, which is typically found on tape subsystems. Support data typically covers migrated data, point in time backups, archive data, and so on. For sustained operation in the failover site, the support data is indispensable. Furthermore, several enterprises have mission-critical data that resides only on tape. By extending GDPS support to data resident on tape, the GDPS solution provides continuous availability and near transparent business continuity benefit for both disk- and tape-resident data. Enterprises will no longer be forced to develop and utilize processes that create duplex tapes and maintain the tape copies in alternate sites. For example, previous techniques created two copies of each DBMS image copy and archived log as part of the batch process and manual transportation of each set of tapes to different locations.

New Ease of Use and Self-Management — A Vision

Project eLiza will help customers dramatically reduce the cost and complexity of their e-business infrastructures, and overcome the challenges of systems management using systems that self-optimize, self-configure, self-heal, and self-protect. zSeries plays a major role in Project eLiza, since self-management capabilities available for zSeries will function as a model for other IBM servers. These latest announcements for the z/900 and z/OS V1R2 provide the following functions to address the goals of eLiza:

• Enhanced zSeries IRD LPAR CPU management function to allow a non-z/OS partition like VM or Linux to be given a goal and business importance through the WLM policy. The z/OS WLM then manages the CPU resources given to these partitions based on their relative importance compared to the other workloads running in the same LPAR cluster. z/OS software support will be available in December 2001.
• System-Managed CF Structure Duplexing, which provides a robust failure recovery mechanism to enable near-continuous availability for Coupling Facility (CF) structure data.
• Heuristic XES Sync to Async Conversion. When a z/OS image sends a command to a Coupling Facility, it may execute either synchronously or asynchronously with respect to the z/OS CPU which initiated it. Often, CPU-synchronous execution of CF commands provides optimal performance and responsiveness, by avoiding the back-end latencies and overhead that are associated with asynchronous execution of CF requests. However, under some conditions, it may actually be more efficient for the system to process CF requests asynchronously, especially if the CF to which the commands are being sent is far away (for example, at GDPS distances), is running on slower processor technology than the z/OS system, or is configured with shared processors, dynamic CF dispatching, and the like.

  z/OS 1.2 can now dynamically determine if starting an asynchronous CF request instead of a synchronous CF request would provide better overall performance and thus self-optimize the CF accesses. The system will observe the actual performance of synchronous CF requests, and based on this real-time information, heuristically determine how best to initiate new requests to the CF.

  Customers that will benefit most from this include those that are configuring their Parallel Sysplex to serve as a remote site recovery alternative (that is, using GDPS), and those that have configurations where the CPCs running z/OS are significantly faster than the coupling facility to which they are sending requests.

For more information on eLiza, go to:

http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/zseries/zos/sm/eliza.html

Concurrent Memory Upgrade

Concurrent Memory Upgrade allows for a memory upgrade without changing hardware or experiencing an outage, provided there is enough spare memory already existing on the memory cards.

• Minimum memory offering of 5 GB would be upgradeable to 8 GB concurrently.
• 9 GB or more would be upgradable to 16 GB concurrently.
• 18 GB or more would be upgradable to 32 GB concurrently.
• 40 GB or more would be upgradable to 64 GB concurrently.

Concurrent UNDO CBU

The server for disaster recovery with Capacity BackUp activated can now be restored to its base configuration without requiring a system outage.

Benefits

• When a disaster occurs Capacity BackUp is there to provide the extra capacity without disruption. When the disaster is over and normalcy is restored, Concurrent UNDO CBU allows the system to return to its previous configuration without disruption.
• The goal of annual testing of a Capacity BackUp alternate configuration is to permit you to ensure that all is in order in case of an emergency need. Invoking the Capacity BackUp configuration is nondisruptive. Now Concurrent UNDO CBU permits you to return to your original configuration after the test without disruption.

Accessibility by People with Disabilities

The following features support use by people with disabilities:

• Controls and latches are operable with one hand and minimal dexterity.
• Keys are discernible by touch without activating them.
• Ports and connectors support connection of industry-standard devices.

Euro Currency

This product is not impacted by euro currency.

Statement of General Direction

OSA-Express Support for IPv6

It is IBM's intent to enhance the OSA-Express features to support Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6). When available, IPv6 will be offered for the Queued Direct Input/Output (QDIO) mode only.

IPv6 is the "next generation" protocol designed by the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) to replace IPv4.

There is a growing shortage of IP addresses, which are needed by all new machines added to the Internet. IPv6 expands the IP address space from 32 bits to 128 bits, enabling virtually unlimited unique IP addresses.

In addition to providing more addressing capability, IPv6 also adds many improvements to IPv4 in areas such as routing, network autoconfiguration, and security.

OSA-2 FDDI Future Direction

IBM intends, at a future date, to no longer offer an Open Systems Adapter (OSA) Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) feature. The z900 will be the last family of servers to provide a FDDI feature.

Parallel Channel Future Direction

IBM intends, at a future date, to no longer offer a parallel channel feature. The z900 will be the last family of servers to provide a parallel channel feature.

Crypto Future Direction

IBM intends to enable support for a hardware cryptographic feature on Integrated Facility for Linux on z900. Today customers implementing e-business applications on Linux for zSeries running z900 standard engines can exploit the hardware cryptographic capability provided by the PCI Cryptographic Accelerator for SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) acceleration. IBM intends to extend this cryptographic capability to support Integrated Facility for Linux features in mid 2002.

MCP Cables for Use with Gigabit Links Only

IBM supports the use of Mode Conditioning Patch (MCP) cables with Coupling Links: InterSystem Coupling-3 (ISC-3) and ISC-2, as well as OSA-Express Gigabit Ethernet LX (long wavelength), FICON LX, and the new FICON Express LX feature. These features each have a long wavelength optical transceiver designed to be used with 9 micron single mode fiber optic cables. MCP cables accommodate the reuse of existing multimode fiber optic cables with the features identified above.

MCP cables are for use with one gigabit links only. Thus, MCP cables can only be used with ISC-3 on the z900 when configured to operate in compatibility mode with 1 gigabit ISC-2 features on G3 - G6 Servers. Gigabit Ethernet LX supports attachment to a 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps) Ethernet Local Area Network (LAN). FICON LX and FICON Express LX support the Fibre Channel Standard link rate of 1 Gbps (100 MB/sec).

As technologies evolve, speeds should increase (for example, the Fibre Channel specification supports link rates of 2 Gigabit and 4 Gigabit). MCP cables will not be supported at link rates in excess of 1 Gbps.

All statements regarding IBM's future plans, direction, and intent represent the current intentions of IBM. IBM development plans are subject to change or withdrawal without further notice.

Trademarks

 

zSeries and z/Architecture are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.

 

The e-business logo, z/OS, FICON, RMF, WebSphere, VSE/ESA, z/VM, Enterprise Storage Server, IMS, GDPS, and Geographically Dispersed Parallel Sysplex are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.

 

CICS, OS/390, Advanced Peer-to-Peer Networking, APPN, Parallel Sysplex, and ESCON are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.

 

Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.

Education Support

Your primary source for education on the zSeries 900 should be the courses provided in the Education section on the Resource Link Web site. You may call IBM Education and Training at 800-IBM-TEACH (426-8322) for other catalogs, schedules, and enrollments.

Publications

Publications for zSeries 900

Using the instructions on the Resource Link panels, obtain a user ID and password. Resource Link has been designed for easy access and navigation.

z900 Publications Available October 4, 2000, in the Library Section of Resource Link

• System Overview (SA22-1027)

z900 Publications That Will Be Available by z900 General Availability in the Library Section of Resource Link

• Planning for the Open Systems Adapter (GA22-7477)
• Open Systems Adapter-Express Customer's Guide and Reference (SA22-7476)
• PR/SM™ Planning Guide (SB10-7033)
• Getting Started (SC28-6800)
• Stand-Alone IOCP User's Guide (SB10-7032)
• IOCP User's Guide (SB10-7029)
• ESCON^® CTC Reference (SB10-7034)
• HMC Guide (SC28-6812)
• Operation Guide (SC28-6802)
• PA Guide (SC28-6803)
• Managing Your Processors (GC38-0452)
• API Guide (SB10-7030)
• Maintenance Information for Desktop Consoles (G229-9022)
• Maintenance Information for ThinkPad^® Consoles (G229-9024)
• Parts Catalog (G123-7472)
• Maintenance Information for Fiber Optic Links (SY27-2597)
• Link Fault Isolation (G229-9021)
• Planning for Fiber Optic Links (GA23-0367)
• Fiber Optic Cleaning Procedures (SY27-2604)

Publications Available at General Availability of z900 in the Library Section of Resource Link and as Part of Publications Ship Group

• Installation Manual (G229-9020)
• Service Guide (G229-9027)
• Safety Inspection (G229-9025)

IBM Resource Link™

IBM's e-business strategy is evolving in sophistication from simple delivery of e-business applications to more advanced applications.

Customer and Business Partner support, in the form of IBM Resource Link, is the Web site for product planning, administering, training, and communicating with customers and Business Partners for zSeries 900. Resource Link increases your satisfaction, reduces warranty and installation costs, provides timely support, and delivers customized product information.

Initially available on September 30, 1999, Resource Link provides post-sale information and support using the Internet. The primary areas include planning, education, library, forums, and technical support for Enterprise Servers.

Resource Link continues to extend this function to IBM zSeries 900. Resource Link function includes:

• Customized Planning Aid

  This tool provides a streamlined plan for the installation of a system. Each aid will be tailored to a specific customer order and used as a guide to hardware planning information.

• Forums

  Forums provide online collaboration for sharing ideas and concepts between development and customers, who participate in the product introduction programs for zSeries 900 hardware and the early ship programs for z/OS™ software products. "Up-to-the-minute" information is available about program status, and so on.

• Web-Based Multimedia Education

  Education is provided to keep up with rapidly changing technology. Numerous courses have been developed to teach you basic system operation and provide guidance on specific tasks and tools. The course catalog is continually expanding as new system functions and features are added.

• Access to Cross-Server Technical Support

  Part of the technical support function within the Resource Link site, cross-server technical support allows customers and Business Partners to quickly locate Web-based and non-Web-based technical support information and services for all IBM server products and provides the ability to obtain assistance from IBM if their needs require more than the Web site offers.

• Personalization of Site Content

  "Subscription" allows customers and Business Partners to organize site content by specifying their interests in the area called "personal folders." Site resident content is "pushed" to you by e-mail, notifying you of updates and changes. This is particularly useful for remaining current on such things as product publications, hardware planning material, and certain machine information.

Some specific current functions in support of the z900 include:

• A CHPID Mapping Tool that allows you to change the default CHPID numbers for the channels on your IBM zSeries 900.
• Installation planning details by machine serial number configuration, which defines unique requirements for individual orders.
• Specific machine data and information, based on serial number, including account numbers and warranty information, which provides:
  • EC/MCL levels and descriptions of MCLs not yet installed
  • Ability to register for e-mail notification if MCL apply is overdue
  • Ability to register for e-mail notification if a HIPER MCL is released for the affected machine
• N+1 power status obtained from the last scheduled call home, which provides the ability to register for e-mail if N+1 power is not available.
• Second SE status (if installed) obtained from the last scheduled call home, which provides the ability to register for e-mail if second SE is not operating.
• Weekly call home status, which provides the ability to register for e-mail if weekly call home stops.
• Listing of all HIPER MCLs with descriptions.
• Purpose and Description files for all microcode versions.
• Registered interest across the entire site.
• Push technology to dynamically inform you of internal code status and changes.
• Rapid information access using the Web as the first source of IBM information.
• Web-based multimedia education that keeps up with rapidly changing technology.
• Ability to "push" solutions and information to you based on your personal knowledge and preferences.
• Access to Q&As, including direct feedback to customers to comment on ideas and concepts.
• Remote delivery of service update information for hardware (CHPIDs, Red Alerts).
• Complete product information and references for IBM servers and server products.
• Collaborative computing for document creation updates.
• Direct feedback links to the sales force to comment on ideas and concepts.
• Profile-driven e-mail to allow rapid push of product technology offerings, announcements, and press releases.

Check out Resource Link by accessing:

http://www.ibm.com/servers/resourcelink

Once you get to the site, instructions are provided for obtaining a password and ID that will gain you access to this powerful information source. IBM's Customer Care Advantage includes publications that support the zSeries.

Technical Support Portal is world-class, Web-based technical support. Navigate and access related Web sites to find technical support libraries, user-to-user collaboration, installation planning, and access to local support teams.

For more information refer to:

http://www.ibm.com/servers/support

Technical Information

Specified Operating Environment

Hardware Requirements

Hardware Requirements for All New Functions and Features: All new functions and features are available on all general-purpose models of the z900 with Licensed Internal Code (LIC) CPC EC J10638 and HMC EC J10645.

Hardware Requirements for PCI Cryptographic Accelerator: The PCI Cryptographic Accelerator feature is available on all general-purpose models of the z900 (all except 100) with the CCF enabled. Refer to the IBM Preventive Service Planning (PSP) bucket 2064DEVICE, subset OSA, for the latest service levels.

FICON CTC Link Remote CHPID: Any 9672 that participates in a FICON CTC link as a remote CHPID must be at a minimum of EC J10657.

Any 2064 that participates in a FICON CTC link as a remote CHPID must be at a minimum of EC J10656.

Software Requirements

Software Requirements for OSA-Express Token Ring: The OSA-Express Token Ring feature supports TCP/IP and SNA traffic. The Queued Direct Input/Output (QDIO) mode is used for IP traffic when the CHPID is set up as OSD. The non-QDIO mode is used for TCP/IP traffic and SNA traffic when the CHPID is set up as OSE.

For QDIO Mode: To support IP traffic in QDIO mode one of the following operating systems is required:

• OS/390^® Version 2 Release 10 or later, which includes:
  • Communication Server (CS for OS/390 element of OS/390) supporting the MPCIPA TCP/IP device type and the IPAQTR link type
• z/VM™ Version 4 Release 2 or later for QDIO operation on a native VM system
  • With TCP/IP feature 330
• Linux Kernel Version 2.4.0

For Non-QDIO Mode: To support IP traffic in non-QDIO mode one of the following operating systems is required:

• OS/390 Version 2 Release 6 or later, which includes:
  • Communications Server (CS for OS/390 element of OS/390) supporting the LCS (LAN Channel Station) TCP/IP device type
• VM/ESA^® Version 2 Release 3 with APAR VM62184 or later (Version 2 Release 4 does not require the APAR), and
  • TCP/IP for VM Version 2 Release 3 or later

To support SNA/APPN^®/HPR traffic in non-QDIO mode one of the following operating systems is required:

• OS/390 Version 2 Release 6 or later, which includes:
  • Communications Server (SNA function of CS for OS/390 element of OS/390)
• VM/ESA Version 2 Release 3 with APAR VM62184 or later (Version 2 Release 4 does not require the APAR), and
  • VTAM^® for VM Version 4 Release 2 or later

Refer to IBM zSeries 900 Open Systems Adapter-Express Customer's Guide and Reference (SA22-7476-01) for more details, including OSA Support Facility (OSA/SF) requirements.

PCI Cryptographic Accelerator Software Requirements: The PCI Cryptographic Accelerator feature requires z/OS Version 1 Release 2.

FICON™ CTC Software Requirements: The FICON CTC function support is integrated in z/OS Version 1 Release 2, and is available with service on OS/390 Version 2 Release 9 or later.

The FICON CTC function is supported by TPF Version 4.1 with PUT 13 (or higher).

HiperSockets Software Requirements: HiperSockets requires z/OS Version 1 Release 2, plus service which is expected to be available in December 2001.

System-Managed CF Structure Duplexing Software Requirements: System-Managed CF Structure Duplexing requires z/OS Version 1 Release 2, plus service which is expected to be available in December 2001*, plus CFCC Level 10* LIC, plus appropriate exploiting software.

IRD CPU Management for Non-z/OS LPARs: IRD CPU management for non-z/OS LPARs requires z/OS Version 1 Release 2, plus service which is expected to be available in December 2001.

*

An announcement will be made by the end of June of 2002 with more information on the availability and requirements for System-Managed Coupling Facility (CF) Structure Duplexing.

Planning Information

Customer Responsibilities: The fiber optic Mode Conditioning Patch (MCP) cables and Conversion Kits identified herein may be required for a new-build z900, an upgrade to a z900, or an MES order. All other cables and components that may be desired are available from IBM customer service, IBM Installation Planning Representatives, or IBM Global Services. Consult the document Planning for the Fiber Optic Channel Links (GA23-0367-07) for further details.

These cables cannot be ordered on an individual basis. If cables are desired, and are not associated with another order, they can be acquired from IBM Global Services.

A detailed description of the features in the table can be found in the Supplemental Information section of this announcement under Planning Information, Cable Orders.

An MCP cable enables reuse of existing multimode fiber optic cables with a long wavelength (LX) feature designed to support use of 9 micron single mode fiber optic cables. The MCP cable conditions the light of the LX laser to carry the traffic over multimode fiber. Two MCP cables are required per link, one at each end of the link. When using MCP cables in a link, the maximum supported distance, feature-to-feature, cannot exceed 550 meters (1,804 feet). MCP cables are for use with one gigabit links only (100 MB/sec).

A conversion kit is used when the sending or receiving LX (long wavelength), SX (short wavelength), or LED (Light Emitting Diode) transceiver (transmits and receives light) on the server and the target jumper, trunk, patch panel, or device are different.

The MCP cables and conversion kits identified in the table have a connector (ESCON Duplex, MTRJ, SC Duplex, or LC Duplex) on one end, and a receptacle (ESCON Duplex, MTRJ, SC Duplex, or LC Duplex) on the other end. In the Cable Description/Cable Type column the connector type is identified first, and the receptacle type is identified second.

Fiber Optic Cables: MCP Cables, Conversion Kits

Cable Description/                     Feature   Typical
Cable Type                 Length      Number    Customer Usage
 
9 SM LC Duplex/            2 meters    0109      FICON Express LX
 62.5 MM SC Duplex         6.5 feet               w/ 62.5 MM fiber
 MCP Cable
 
9 SM LC Duplex/            2 meters    0111      FICON Express LX
 62.5 MM ESCON Duplex      6.5 feet               w/ 62.5 MM ESCON
 MCP Cable
 
50 MM LC Duplex/           2 meters    2326      FICON Express SX
 SC Duplex Conv Kit        6.5 feet               w/ 50 MM FICON SX
 
62.5 MM LC Duplex/         2 meters    2327      FICON Express SX
 SC Duplex Conv Kit        6.5 feet               w/ 62.5 MM FICON SX
 
62.5 MM LC Duplex/         2 meters    2328      FICON Express SX
 ESCON Duplex Conv Kit     6.5 feet               w/ 62.5 MM ESCON
 
62.5 MM LC Duplex/         2 meters    2329      FICON Express SX
 MTRJ Conv Kit             6.5 feet               w/ 62.5 MM ESCON
 
62.5 MM SC Duplex/         2 meters    2330      FICON SX
 LC Duplex Conv Kit        6.5 feet               w/ FICON Express SX
 
9 SM SC Duplex/            2 meters    2331      FICON LX
 LC Duplex Conv Kit        6.5 feet               w/ FICON Express LX

The Resource Link Web site provides a customized planning aid tool that generates a streamlined plan for the installation of a zSeries 900 system.

Cable Orders

FICON MCP Cables and Conversion Kits

9 SM LC Duplex/62.5 MM SC Duplex MCP Cable (#0109)

This is a Mode Conditioning Patch (MCP) cable, 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length. It is terminated at one end with a 9 micron single mode (SM) small form factor LC Duplex connector and at the opposite end with a 62.5 micron multimode (MM) SC Duplex receptacle. This feature is used with the FICON Express LX 100 MB/sec feature number 2319 when reusing existing 62.5 micron multimode fiber optic cables terminated with SC Duplex connectors. When using an MCP cable, a FICON Express LX connection can run over a 62.5 micron multimode fiber optic cable up to a distance of 550 meters (1,804 feet). A quantity of two of these features are required, since one MCP cable is required to be used at each end of a link. Corequisite: Feature number 2319.

9 SM LC Duplex/62.5 MM ESCON Duplex MCP Cable (#0111)

This is a Mode Conditioning Patch (MCP) cable, 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length. It is terminated at one end with a 9 micron single mode (SM) new small form factor LC Duplex connector and at the opposite end with a 62.5 micron multimode (MM) ESCON Duplex receptacle. This feature is used with the FICON Express LX 100 MB/sec feature number 2319 when reusing existing 62.5 micron multimode fiber optic cables terminated with ESCON Duplex connectors. When using an MCP cable, a FICON Express LX connection can run over a 62.5 micron multimode fiber optic cable up to a distance of 550 meters (1,804 feet). A quantity of two of these features are required, since one MCP cable is required to be used at each end of a link. Corequisite: Feature number 2319.

50 MM LC Duplex/SC Duplex Conversion Kit (#2326)

This is a 50/125-micrometer multimode (MM) fiber optic cable, 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length, terminated at one end with an LC Duplex connector and at the opposite end with an SC Duplex receptacle. This conversion kit is used with the FICON Express SX feature number 2320 when reusing existing 50 micron multimode fiber optic cables terminated with SC Duplex connectors. Corequisite: Feature number 2320.

62.5 MM LC Duplex/SC Duplex Conversion Kit (#2327)

This is a 62.5/125-micrometer multimode (MM) fiber optic cable, 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length, terminated at one end with an LC Duplex connector and at the opposite end with an SC Duplex receptacle. This conversion kit is used with the FICON Express SX feature number 2320 when reusing existing 62.5 micron multimode fiber optic cables terminated with SC Duplex connectors. Corequisite: Feature number 2320.

62.5 MM LC Duplex/ESCON Duplex Conversion Kit (#2328)

This is a 62.5/125-micrometer multimode (MM) fiber optic cable, 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length, terminated at one end with an LC Duplex connector and at the opposite end with an ESCON Duplex receptacle. This conversion kit is used with the FICON Express SX feature number 2320 when reusing existing 62.5 micron multimode fiber optic cables terminated with ESCON Duplex connectors. Corequisite: Feature number 2320.

62.5 MM LC Duplex/MTRJ Conversion Kit (#2329)

This is a 62.5/125-micrometer multimode (MM) fiber optic cable, 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length, terminated at one end with an LC Duplex connector and at the opposite end with an MTRJ receptacle (MTRJ is the connector used on the 16-port ESCON feature). This conversion kit is used with the FICON Express SX feature number 2320 when reusing existing 62.5 micron multimode fiber optic cables terminated with MTRJ connectors. Corequisite: Feature number 2320.

62.5 MM SC Duplex/LC Duplex Conversion Kit (#2330)

This is a 62.5/125-micrometer multimode (MM) fiber optic cable, 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length, terminated at one end with an SC Duplex connector and at the opposite end with an LC Duplex receptacle. The FICON SX feature number 2318 supports SC Duplex connectors. The FICON Express SX feature number 2320 supports LC Duplex connectors. This conversion kit is used with a feature supporting an SC Duplex connector when reusing existing 62.5 micron multimode fiber optic cables terminated with LC Duplex connectors. Corequisite: Feature number 2318.

9 SM SC Duplex/LC Duplex Conversion Kit (#2331)

This is a 9/125-micrometer single mode (SM) fiber optic cable, 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length, terminated at one end with an SC Duplex connector and at the opposite end with an LC Duplex receptacle. The FICON LX feature number 2315 supports SC Duplex connectors. The FICON Express LX feature number 2319 supports LC Duplex connectors. This conversion kit is used with a feature supporting an SC Duplex connector when reusing existing 9 micron single mode fiber optic cables terminated with LC Duplex connectors. Corequisite: Feature number 2315.

Fiber Quick Connect Delivers!

Fiber Quick Connect (FQC) is an option in the configuration tool when ordering a new-build z900 or an upgrade to an existing z900.

The Fiber Quick Connect (FQC) features are for factory installation of IBM Fiber Transport Services (FTS) fiber harnesses for connection to ESCON channels in the new I/O cages of z900 and to ESCON channels in the Compatibility I/O cages of z900. FTS fiber harnesses enable connection to FTS direct-attach fiber trunk cables from IBM Global Services.

FQC, coupled with Fiber Transport Services (FTS) from IBM Global Services, delivers a solution to reduce the amount of time required for on-site installation and setup of cabling, to minimize disruptions, and to isolate the activity from the active system as much as possible. FQC facilitates adds, moves, and changes of ESCON multimode fiber optic cables in the data center and can reduce fiber installation time by up to 80%.

IBM Global Services provides the direct-attach trunk cables, patch panels, and Central Patching Location (CPL) hardware, as well as the planning and installation required to complete the total structured connectivity solution. Four trunks, each with 72 fiber pairs, can displace up to 256 fiber optic cables, the maximum quantity of ESCON channels in one new I/O cage on z900. This significantly reduces ESCON cable bulk.

The CPL panels use the small form factor fiber optic connector, called SC-DC (Single Connector-Dual Contact). Use of the SC-DC connectors in the CPL panel instead of the ESCON Duplex connectors has reduced the required floor space by 50%.

CPL planning and layout are done prior to arrival of the server on-site, and documentation is provided showing the CHPID layout and how the direct-attach harnesses are plugged.

Note: FQC supports all of the ESCON channels in all of the I/O cages. FQC cannot be ordered for selected channels and cages.

Fiber Transport Configuration Services for the IBM zSeries 900

Fiber Transport Configuration Services: An IBM Installation Planning Representative (IPR) continues to provide planning assistance for equipment power, cooling, and physical placement of the z900 within the data center. However, the planning for attachment of I/O equipment to channels, Coupling Facilities, and additional processors for the z900 now becomes the responsibility of the customer. You may request connectivity assistance, via IBM Fiber Transport Configuration Services.

The z900 introduces a migration from the traditional ESCON duplex connector to the smaller MT-RJ connector; the ISC connector also changes, to the LC connector.

Fiber optic Conversion Kits and Mode Conditioning Patch (MCP) cables may be required for a new-build z900, a z900 upgrade, or an MES order. Each fiber optic cable is 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length. All other cables and components that may be required are available from IBM Global Services. Contact your local Installation Planning Representative, Product Specialist, or Connectivity Services Specialist for more information.

Contact IBM Inside Sales at 888-426-4343; ask for Fiber-Optic Cabling Services.

Consult the document Planning for the Fiber Optic Channel Links (GA23-0367-07) and the IBM Installation Manual — Physical Planning for further details.

These cables cannot be ordered on an individual basis. If cables are required, and are not associated with another order, they can be acquired from IBM Global Services.

New Connectivity Installation Options for IBM zSeries 900

IBM offers you the option either to engage IBM to help plan and initiate your z900 connectivity with a service contract or to use your own planning and implementation personnel. For customers with the resources to plan their own connectivity, or those with less complex system configurations, the IBM z900 Planning and Installation manual is available to help determine and order the required jumper cables. Other customers, especially those with complex system integration requirements, may decide that the Fiber Transport Services structured cabling solution is their best option. Now, Fiber Transport Configuration Services gives you another option — a base-level, fiber optic connectivity service.

All IBM Networking Services offer solutions that feature professional consulting to understand and review the current and future connectivity needs of the z900 server environment. This newest offering features channel configuration planning using fiber optic jumper cables and the physical installation of those connections to the z900. Fiber Transport Configuration Service offers you a simple way to obtain fiber connectivity expertise from IBM Global Services when you order the z900.

The IBM Global Services Fiber Transport Configuration Service includes 30 hours of connectivity consulting and planning, 50 fiber optic jumper cables, and 10 hours of installation as well as project management. Customers who engage IBM Global Services for initial planning and implementation of optical fiber cabling for their z900 will receive the following services and products as part of the Fiber Transport Configuration Services Statement Of Work (SOW):

• Survey of your data center site by an IBM specialist to determine the current fiber infrastructure
• Analysis of the hardware configuration and feature numbers ordered for the z900
• Review of current connectivity requirements and future plans for optical fiber connectivity
• Customer Proposal with a jumper cable configuration and an FTS structured cabling solution for the physical connectivity of the z900 and its attaching devices
• Bill of Materials for the jumper cables and conversion cables required to connect the 2064 to the existing cabling infrastructure and its associated equipment
• Order placement for all jumper cables included in Connectivity Readiness Service and, if required and for fee, any additional jumper cables needed to complete the installation
• Delivery of cabling products to meet z900 delivery and installation scheduling requirements
• Project management of the cabling installation, including physical routing and connection
• End-of-engagement review

Security, Auditability, and Control

The customer is responsible for evaluation, selection, and implementation of security features, administrative procedures, and appropriate controls in application systems and communications facilities.

Terms and Conditions

This product is available for purchase under the terms of the IBM Customer Agreement.

IBM hardware products are manufactured from new parts and used parts. In some cases, the hardware product may have been previously installed. Regardless, IBM's warranty terms apply.

MES Discount Applicable: Equal to the volume commitment discount

Field-Installable Feature: Yes

Warranty Period: One year

Customer Setup: No

Licensed Internal Code: Same license terms and conditions as designated machine

Prices

Note: The hardware and maintenance prices for the features listed are available from your IBM representative.

                                      Machine
Description                           Type                 Model
 
IBM zSeries 900                       2064
 
100 Coupling Facility                                      100
101 1-Way Processor                                        101
102 2-Way Processor                                        102
103 3-Way Processor                                        103
104 4-Way Processor                                        104
105 5-Way Processor                                        105
106 6-Way Processor                                        106
107 7-Way Processor                                        107
108 8-Way Processor                                        108
109 9-Way Processor                                        109
110 10-Way Processor                                       110
111 11-Way Processor                                       111
112 12-Way Processor                                       112
113 13-Way Processor                                       113
114 14-Way Processor                                       114
115 15-Way Processor                                       115
116 16-Way Processor                                       116
 
1C1 1-Way Processor                                        1C1
1C2 2-Way Processor                                        1C2
1C3 3-Way Processor                                        1C3
1C4 4-Way Processor                                        1C4
1C5 5-Way Processor                                        1C5
1C6 6-Way Processor                                        1C6
1C7 7-Way Processor                                        1C7
1C8 8-Way Processor                                        1C8
1C9 9-Way Processor                                        1C9

                                          Feature   Charge/     Init/
Description                               Number    No Charge   MES
 
9 SM LC/62.5 MM SC MCP Cable              0109      C           Both
9 SM LC/62.5 MM ESCON MCP Cable           0111      C           Both
PCICA Cryptographic Accelerator           0862      C           Both
FICON Express LX                          2319      C           Both
FICON Express SX                          2320      C           Both
50 MM LC Duplex/SC Duplex Conv Kit        2326      C           Both
62.5 MM LC Duplex/SC Duplex Conv Kit      2327      C           Both
62.5 MM LC Duplex/ESCON Duplex Conv Kit   2328      C           Both
62.5 MM LC Duplex/MTRJ Conv Kit           2329      C           Both
62.5 MM SC Duplex/LC Duplex Conv Kit      2330      C           Both
9 MM SM Duplex/LC Duplex Conv Kit         2331      C           Both
OSA-Express Token Ring                    2367      C           Both
ISC Component Return Flag                 7002      NC          MES

Feature Conversions *
 
Type-Feature            Net        Contin
From        To          Price +    Maint     Description
 
9672-5201   2064-2366   Yes        Yes       OSA2 ENTR to OSA-Exp FE
2064-5201   2064-2366   Yes        Yes       OSA2 ENTR to OSA-Exp FE
9672-5201   2064-2367   Yes        Yes       OSA2 ENTR to OSA-Exp TR
2064-5201   2064-2367   Yes        Yes       OSA2 ENTR to OSA-Exp TR
9672-2314   2064-2319   Yes        Yes       FICON to FICON Exp LX
9672-2314   2064-2320   Yes        Yes       FICON to FICON Exp SX

Trademarks

 

Resource Link, z/OS, PR/SM, z/VM, and FICON are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.

 

ESCON, ThinkPad, OS/390, VM/ESA, APPN, and VTAM are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.

 

Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.