IBM adds new features for the SAN768B and SAN256B directors to expand z/OS systems support
IBM United States Hardware Announcement 108-773October 14, 2008
 ENUS108-773.PDF (94KB)
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At a glance
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| At a glance |
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IBM® is expanding z/OS® systems support for the IBM System Storagetm SAN768B and SAN256B directors by adding the following optional features:
- FICON® Accelerator is designed to support secure high-speed data movement between multiple locations
- The 8 Gbps 10 km (LW) Small Form Factor Pluggable (SFP) transceiver is designed to help increase performance and provide additional configuration options
For ordering, contact your IBM representative, an IBM Business Partner, or IBM Americas Call Centers at 800-IBM-CALL (Reference: YE001).
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| Overview |
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FICON Accelerator employs emulation techniques to reduce or eliminate performance degradation for certain defined applications. The main emulation techniques are IBM z/OS Global Mirror and tape pipelining.
The benefits of FICON Accelerator are:
- Improves FICON read and write performance over distance
- Enhances data protection while meeting recovery objectives
- Allows faster backup and disaster recovery operations
- Conserves WAN bandwidth and reduces costs
- Enables new solutions while protecting investments
- Provides flexibility to place FICON disk and tape where needed, regardless of location
The 8 Gbps 10 km Longwave (LW) Small Form Factor Pluggable (SFP) transceiver feature have been added to the IBM Systems Storage b-type SAN directors and is designed to help increase performance and provide additional configuration options.
Feature exchange
None
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| Key prerequisites |
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The IBM System Storage SAN256B and SAN768B directors support all features and functions as indicated in this announcement and require Brocade Fabric Operating System (FOS) v6.1.1, or later.
For a list of supported servers and storage systems, refer to the Technical information section.
For specific support dates, configuration options, server models, operating systems levels, and attachment capabilities, visit
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| Planned availability date |
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October 24, 2008
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| Description |
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Optional features: New optional features are available to extend the functionality of the IBM System Storage SAN768B (2499-384) and IBM System Storage SAN256B (2109-M48) directors:
8 Gbps 10 km LW SFP Transceiver (#2821): This optional feature provides a longwave 8 Gbps SFP fiber optic transceiver, and is designed to support 2, 4 or 8 Gbps Fibre Channel connections at distances up to 10 km (6.2 miles), while using the appropriate 9.0/125 micrometer single mode fiber optic cable.
8 Gbps 10 km LW SFP Transceiver 8-Pack (#2828): This optional feature provides eight additional longwave 8 Gbps SFP fiber optic transceivers, and is designed to support 2, 4 or 8 Gbps Fibre Channel connections at distances up to 10 km (6.2 miles), while using the appropriate 9.0/125 micrometer single mode fiber optic cable.
FICON Accelerator Activation (#7838, #7888):FICON Accelerator Activation is a licensed feature which supports FICON Emulation for IBM z/OS Global Mirror (formerly XRC) and FICON read and write tape pipelining over FCIP on the SAN768B and the SAN256B directors with #3850 or #3450 routing blades.
Any supported FCIP tunnel configuration may enable the FICON Accelerator feature. The FICON Accelerator feature will be supported in Virtual E-port (VE) to VE tunnels only. Fibre Channel Routing (FCR) is not supported.
Support for multiple equal cost paths with the FICON Accelerator feature is limited to tunnels existing on the same Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) port. If the FICON Accelerator feature is enabled, the tunnels that comprise the set of multiple equal cost paths MUST originate from the same GbE port on the local switch, and terminate at the same GbE port on the remote switch. The FICON Accelerator feature must be enabled for every FCIP tunnel in the multiple equal cost path set. If the FICON Accelerator feature is not required, then the FICON Accelerator feature must be disabled for every FCIP tunnel in the multiple equal cost path set.
The FICON Accelerator feature must be disabled on any tunnel comprising a multiple equal cost path set, if those paths include tunnels that originate on different GbE ports on the local SAN and/or terminate on different GE ports on the remote SAN.
The configuration of the FICON Accelerator feature is accomplished via the existing "portcfg" command. It is subject to the same limitations and restrictions of any FCIP tunnel feature or configuration parameter with regards to tunnel disruption, port or switch disable/enable, or reboot requirements.
Minimum firmware version required is FOS v6.1.1.
Accessibility by people with disabilities
A U.S. Section 508 Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) containing details on accessibility compliance can be requested at
For hardware offerings
The following features support use by people with disabilities:
- Controls and latches operable with one hand and minimal dexterity
- Keys discernible by touch without activating them
- Ports and connectors support connection of industry-standard devices
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| Product number |
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New features
Machine Feature
Description type Model number
IBM System Storage SAN768B
FICON Accelerator 2499 384 7888
SFP 8 Gbps 10 km LW 2499 384 2821
SFP 8 Gbps 10 km LW 8-pack 2499 384 2828
IBM System Storage SAN256B
FICON Accelerator 2109 M48 7838
SFP 8 Gbps 10 km LW 2109 M48 2821
SFP 8 Gbps 10 km LW 8-pack 2109 M48 2828
Model conversions
Not applicable
Feature conversions
Not applicable
Business Partner information
If you are a Direct Reseller - System Reseller acquiring products from IBM, you may link directly to Business Partner information for this announcement. A PartnerWorld ID and password are required (use IBM ID).
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| Publications |
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Publications are shipped with the product and have been revised to reflect this announcement. Additional copies of individual publications are available at
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| Services |
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Global Technology Services
IBM services include business consulting, outsourcing, hosting services, applications, and other technology management.
These services help you learn about, plan, install, manage, or optimize your IT infrastructure to be an On Demand Business. They can help you integrate your high-speed networks, storage systems, application servers, wireless protocols, and an array of platforms, middleware, and communications software for IBM and many non-IBM offerings. IBM is your one-stop shop for IT support needs.
For details on available services, contact your IBM representative or visit
For details on available IBM Business Continuity and Recovery Services, contact your IBM representative or visit
For details on education offerings related to specific products, visit
Select your country, and then select the product as the category.
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| Technical information |
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Specified operating environment
Hardware requirements
Supported servers and storage systems
The IBM System storage SAN256B and SAN768B directors are designed to support FC connectivity for the following:
Servers
- IBM System z10, z9tm EC, z9 BC, zSeries® 990, 900, 890, and 880
- IBM Power Systems
- IBM System p® and selected RS/6000® servers
- IBM System i® and selected AS/400® servers
- IBM System xtm and selected Netfinity® servers
- Other Intel-based servers with Linux®, Microsoft® Windows® 2000, and Windows 2003
- Selected Sun and HP servers
Storage software
IBM TotalStorage® SAN Volume Controller (SVC)
Storage systems
- IBM TotalStorage DS8000tm
- IBM TotalStorage DS6000tm
- IBM TotalStorage DS4000tm
- IBM TotalStorage Enterprise Storage Server®
- IBM TotalStorage FAStT Family of Storage Servers
- IBM TotalStorage Enterprise NAS Gateway 500
- IBM System Storage n Series NAS Filers and Gateways
- IBM TotalStorage 3580, 3588, 3590, and 3592 Tape Drives
- IBM TotalStorage 3494, 3582, 3583, and 3584 Tape Libraries
- IBM TotalStorage 3581 Tape Autoloader
- IBM TotalStorage 3584 High Availability Frame Model HA1
- Other selected storage systems
For specific support dates, configuration options, server models, operating systems levels, attachment capabilities, and throughput connectivity speeds, visit
Planning information
You are responsible for downloading or obtaining from IBM, and installing designated machine code (microcode, basic input/output system code (called "BIOS"), utility programs, device drivers, and diagnostics delivered with an IBM machine) and other software updates in a timely manner from an IBM Internet Web site or from other electronic media, and following the instructions that IBM provides. You may request IBM to install machine code changes; however, you may be charged for that service.
Cable orders
Fiber optic cable: A fiber optic cable is required for attaching the SAN256B/768B to the host system adapters or other storage area FC components. The cable can be customer supplied or ordered with the directors in the lengths available. The attaching fiber cable must be 50.0/125 micrometers for distances up to 300 meters at 2 Gbps speed, 150 meters at 4 Gbps, or 50 meters at 8 Gbps. The attaching fiber cable must be 62.5/125 micrometers for distances up to 175 meters at 2 Gbps speed, 70 meters at 4 Gbps, or 21 meters at 8 Gbps. Longwave SFPs require 9-micron singlemode fiber optic cables.
The connection is an LC connector type. In many situations, the required lengths and installation of fiber optic cables will be unique to each customer's configuration and facility specifications. IBM Network Integration and Deployment Services, offered by IBM Global Services, can provide assistance for these unique cabling and installation requirements.
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.
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| Terms and conditions |
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MES discount applicable
Equal to the volume commitment discount
Field-installable features: Yes
Warranty period
One year
This feature or features assume the same warranty or maintenance terms as the machine in which it is installed for the full warranty or maintenance period announced for such machine.
Customer setup
No
Machine code
No license terms apply
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| Prices |
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| Description | Type | Model | Feature number | List Price |
| FICON Accelerator | 2109 | M48 | 7838 | $92,890 |
| SFP 8Gbps 10 km LW | 2109 | M48 | 2821 | 3,460 |
| SFP 8Gbps 10 km LW 8-pack | 2109 | M48 | 2828 | 27,680 |
| FICON Accelerator | 2499 | 384 | 7888 | 92,890 |
| SFP 8Gbps 10 km LW | 2499 | 384 | 2821 | 3,460 |
| SFP 8Gbps 10 km LW 8-pack | 2499 | 384 | 2828 | 27,680 |
Field Plant
Feature install install MES Cables
number only only removal required
7838 N N N N
2821 N N N N
2828 N N N N
7888 N N N N
** If field installed on a purchased machine, parts removed or
replaced become the property of IBM and must be returned.
Minimum
monthly
maintenance
charge
N/C
For additional information on maintenance and pricing, contact your IBM representative or your IBM Business Partner, or call 1-800-IBM-CALL (1-800-426-2255).
Trademarks
System Storage, z9, System x, DS8000, DS6000 and DS4000 are trademarks of IBM Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both.
IBM, z/OS, FICON, zSeries, System p, RS/6000, System i, AS/400, Netfinity, TotalStorage and Enterprise Storage Server are registered trademarks of IBM Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both.
Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the United States, other countries, or both.
Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both.
Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.
Terms of use
IBM products and services which are announced and available in your country can be ordered under the applicable standard agreements, terms, conditions, and prices in effect at the time. IBM reserves the right to modify or withdraw this announcement at any time without notice. This announcement is provided for your information only. Additional terms of use are located at:
For the most current information regarding IBM products, consult your IBM representative or reseller, or visit the IBM worldwide contacts page
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