February 22, 1999
Introducing Gigabit Ethernet for the S/390 Parallel Enterprise Server — Generation 5 Plus FICON Enhancements
 ENUS199-048.PDF (52KB)
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At a Glance
-
OSA-Express GbE
- Short and Long Wavelength Features
- Full Duplex Support
- Queued Direct I/O
- Support for Jumbo Frames
- Ease of Use Enhancements
- OSA/SF for OS/390 V2R1 — Windows Support
- Concurrent Conditioning Feature supporting the FICON and OSA-Express GbE features
- New FICON channel maximum of 24
- RMF Enhancement supporting FICON and OSA-Express GbE
Overview
IBM is introducing Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) on the S/390® Parallel Enterprise Server — Generation 5 in support of TCP/IP environments. The new S/390 Open Systems Adapter-Express (OSA-Express) Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) features attach directly to the G5 Server's Self-Timed Interconnect (STI) bus.
The added benefits of using an OSA-Express GbE feature include:
- Conserving I/O slots and channel resources
- Reducing the quantity of required LAN connections and switch ports
- Easing the demands on the I/O subsystem
- Reducing the number of TCP/IP stacks and IP addresses
- Simplifying administration and management
The new OSA-Express GbE features and eNetwork™ Communications Server for OS/390® Version 2 Release 7 (CS OS/390 V2R7) together deliver a balanced solution to maximize throughput and minimize host interrupts.
OSA-Express GbE is ideal for Ethernet or Fast Ethernet enterprise backbones that may be experiencing network congestion while supporting data-intensive TCP/IP applications.
Queued Direct Input/Output: CS OS/390 V2R7 has implemented a new, highly efficient design. Supported by the OSA-Express GbE features, it dramatically reduces system overhead and improves throughput using S/390 memory queues and a signaling protocol to directly exchange data between the OSA-Express GbE microprocessor and the CS OS/390 V2R7 software.
Support for Jumbo Frames: The OSA-Express GbE features can be configured to use a maximum jumbo frame size of up to 9000 bytes. Support for jumbo frames means more efficiency for data-intensive applications, reducing packet processing overhead.
Windows™ Support: With the introduction of S/390 Open Systems Adapter Support Facility for OS/390 Version 2 Release 1, (OSA/SF for OS/390 V2R1), a Graphical User Interface (GUI) supporting Microsoft™ Windows 95 and Windows NT® is now available, as well as the current OS/2® GUI, making it easier to identify a non-dedicated workstation to run the client application.
Concurrent Conditioning: A new feature for 1999, Concurrent Conditioning, enables the G5 Server to have I/O hot plugging and non-disruptive capacity upgrades on demand. The FICON and OSA-Express GbE features are now supported by feature number 1999.
FICON Channel Maximum Increase: The total number of FICON channels supported on the G5 Server has been increased from the current maximum of 12 FICON channels to 24. This announcement satisfies the Statement of General Direction contained in Hardware Announcement 198-274 , dated October 20, 1998 (IBM S/390 Parallel Enterprise Servers — New G5 Models, Additional Upgrade Paths and Turbo Family Enhancements).
Capacity Planning: Resource Management Facility (RMF™) reporting is being enhanced for the FICON and OSA-Express GbE features, allowing the end user to better understand the adapter's microprocessor and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus utilization, as well as port bandwidth, facilitating capacity planning.
Key Prerequisites
Hardware Requirements
At a minimum, a S/390 Parallel Enterprise Server™ — Generation 5 is required.
OSA-Express GbE Software Requirements
- OS/390 Version 2 Release 7 with Program Temporary Fixes (PTFs)
- CS OS/390 Version 2 Release 7 with PTFs
Planned Availability Date
OSA-Express Gigabit Ethernet Features — June 25, 1999
Description
Growth in e-business drives more than just increased processing demands. It also places demands on the entire IT infrastructure. More data is being accessed and traversing the LAN, demanding more bandwidth. Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) reduces processing latency and improves the responsiveness of highly interactive applications, dramatically increasing the bandwidth available to corporate data and transaction systems without requiring a corresponding increase in I/O resources.
Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) is being added to the lineup of S/390 Server LAN media types. This addition will ensure that the increasingly high volumes of data traversing the Local Area Network (LAN) do not encounter a bandwidth bottleneck, whether the data is exchanged via intranet Web Servers, centralized file servers, the Internet, or Extranets.
GbE provides interoperability with Ethernet and Fast Ethernet LANs, and delivers benefits similar to those of Fast Ethernet: integration with installed Ethernet LANs, higher performance, and a familiar management environment.
With Fast Ethernet, bandwidth bottlenecks remain, and multiple Fast Ethernet connections are required. GbE will help to alleviate bandwidth bottlenecks and reduce the number of required connections, simplifying management.
The OSA-Express GbE features, along with CS OS/390 V2R7, provide a highly optimized new design called Queued Direct Input/Output (QDIO), as well as a new design called IP Assist (IPA) which moves compute-intensive functions from the S/390 Server to the OSA-Express GbE feature. This reduces the S/390 cycles required for networking functions:
- All Medium Access Control (MAC) handling is done on the OSA-Express GbE feature. The S/390 Server no longer has to fully format the datagrams for LAN-specific media.
- The OSA-Express GbE feature, instead of the host TCP/IP stack, provides the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) function for identifying the physical address.
- Packet filtering is done by the OSA-Express GbE feature, screening and discarding LAN packets, instead of interrupting the S/390 Server.
Gigabit Ethernet — Short and Long Wavelength Features
There are two OSA-Express GbE features. The OSA-Express GbE Short Wavelength (SX) feature has one physical port supporting attachment to a 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) Ethernet LAN using a short wavelength optical transceiver for multimode fiber. This is beneficial for those customers who currently have a multimode fiber infrastructure, and do not require distances greater than 550 meters (1,804 feet), the maximum distance supported using multimode, 50 micron fiber.
The OSA-Express GbE Long Wavelength (LX) feature has one physical port supporting attachment to a 1 Gbps Ethernet LAN using a long wavelength optical transceiver for multimode fiber or single mode fiber. This accommodates environments with multimode or single mode fiber, with the added advantage of extending the unrepeated distance of a LAN segment to 5 kilometers (3.1 miles), when using single mode, 9 micron fiber. If multimode fiber is used with the Long Wavelength transceiver, a pair of mode conditioning patch (MCP) cables are required. Refer to the Technical Information section of this announcement for additional details.
Full Duplex Support
OSA-Express GbE operates at a data rate of 1 Gbps and supports full-duplex transmission, which is simultaneous, two-way communication supporting separate read and write paths. Aggregate bandwidth is 2 Gbps when used on a dedicated LAN segment. This has the potential to reduce or eliminate bandwidth bottlenecks for data-intensive TCP/IP applications.
Note: Two Gbps of aggregate bandwidth does not represent the actual throughput of the OSA-Express GbE features. Actual throughput is dependent upon many factors, including traffic direction, the pattern of acknowledgment traffic, packet size, the application, TCP/IP, the network, disk subsystems, and number of clients being served.
Queued Direct Input/Output
The increasing volume of TCP/IP applications has generated a corresponding demand for bandwidth. Now, eNetwork Communications Server for OS/390 Version 2 Release 7 (CS OS/390 V2R7) and OSA-Express GbE can satisfy bandwidth-hungry applications with the introduction of Queued Direct Input/Output (QDIO).
QDIO is a new, highly efficient design, implemented and supported by CS OS/390 V2R7 and OSA-Express GbE, that dramatically improves throughput. A new channel type and a new "program to channel" signaling protocol have been defined to support QDIO. QDIO allows the microprocessor on the OSA-Express GbE feature to communicate directly with the S/390 Server's communications program through the use of data queues in S/390 memory and a new S/390 instruction.
Support for Jumbo Frames
Ethernet supports a Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) frame size of 1492 bytes, which can limit throughput. Supporting larger frame sizes means more efficiency for data backup applications or data-intensive applications.
At gigabit speeds, if the MTU size were to remain at 1492 bytes, the LAN adapter might not be able to process all of the frames being received. With a jumbo frame size of up to 9000 bytes, fewer frames are received, and less processing is required.
OSA-Express GbE supports up to 9000 byte jumbo frame sizes using DIX Version 2 Ethernet (RFC 894) in a non-VLAN environment.
Note: Both DIX V2 Ethernet and IEEE 802.3 are supported for non-jumbo frames.
Ease-of-Use Enhancements
With the S/390 Open Systems Adapter 2 features, I/O subsystem and TCP/IP profile information must be defined in the OSA Address Table (OAT). For the OSA-Express GbE features only, the network connections that are defined in CS OS/390 will be passed to the corresponding OSA-Express GbE feature during initialization, and the OAT is built dynamically. Profile information is not required to be defined using OSA/SF for OS/390 V2R1 when configuring an OSA-Express GbE feature. This reduces configuration and setup time, eliminates duplicate data entry, and reduces the chance of data entry errors and incompatible definitions.
OSA/SF for OS/390 V2R1 has been updated and displays information about the GbE features.
OSA/SF for OS/390 V2R1
The S/390 Open Systems Adapter Support Facility for OS/390 Version 2 Release 1 (OSA/SF for OS/390 V2R1):
-
Introduces support for a Windows 95 and Windows NT Graphical User
Interface (GUI)
Microsoft Windows is a popular operating system prevalent in data centers and on the desktop of network administrators. With the addition of support for Windows 95 and Windows NT, identification of a workstation for the client application is made easier.
- Adds support for OSA-Express GbE
- Continues to provide an efficient method of managing the S/390 Open Systems Adapter 2 features
- Continues to support an OS/2 GUI
OSA/SF for OS/390 V2R1 is an application for managing the OSA-2 features and the OSA-Express GbE features.
The OSA/SF for OS/390 V2R1 on a S/390 Server supports a GUI on a Windows 95, Windows NT, or OS/2 workstation. A secondary interface through Time Sharing Options Extensions (TSO/E; OS/390) can be used to control the OSA-2 features or OSA-Express GbE features defined to the S/390 Server image on which the TSO/E is running.
OSA/SF for OS/390 V2R1 is not required to configure an OSA-Express GbE feature, but is highly recommended to gather operational information, and to assist in problem determination.
S/390 Open Systems Adapter Support Facility for OS/390 Version 2 Release 1 is a separately orderable program (5655-B57). It is available for OS/390 Version 1 Release 3 and above environments.
Support for the S/390 Open Systems Adapter (OSA-1) is being discontinued. If support for the OSA-1 features is required, S/390 Open Systems Adapter Support Facility Version 1 Release 2 (5655-104) is required.
Refer to Hardware Announcement 299-041 , dated February 22, 1999 (S/390 Open Systems Adapter Support Facility for OS/390 Version 2 Release 1).
Concurrent Conditioning Feature
Concurrent Conditioning feature number 1999 now supports the FICON and OSA-Express GbE features. This feature, together with input of a future target or "TO BE" configuration, allows G5 Server upgrades to exploit the "expert systems" decision tree logic of S/390's Order Process Configurator and identify FICON and OSA-Express GbE positioning for non-disruptive upgrades at some future time.
Refer to the Statement of General Direction section of this announcement for additional information that could be of assistance in planning a non-disruptive upgrade at some future date.
Refer to Hardware Announcement 199-036 , dated January 25, 1999 (S/390 G5: Plan-Ahead for 1999 and Additional Upgrades to Model R06).
New FICON Channel Maximum
The G5 Server now supports a maximum of 24 FICON channels.
While S/390-compatible vendors have the hardware capability of physically attaching more channels, S/390's flagship operating systems have a maximum channel support capacity of 256 channels. The combination of 12 FICON channels on a G5 server, in conjunction with a single image of OS/390, yields an effective equivalent of up to 304 ESCON® channels without exceeding the 256 channel maximum. Increasing the maximum number of supported FICON channels to 24 will increase the effective equivalence up to 360 ESCON channels. Even less demanding environments, including multiple OS/390 images in LPAR mode, can utilize the same FICON efficiencies to reduce overall hardware configurations through channel consolidation.
This announcement satisfies the Statement of General Direction contained in Hardware Announcement 198-274 , dated October 20, 1998 (IBM S/390 Parallel Enterprise Servers — New G5 Models, Additional Upgrade Paths and Turbo Family Enhancements).
Resource Management Facility (RMF) Enhancement
RMF reporting is being enhanced in support of FICON and OSA-Express GbE. This will allow the user to better understand what is occurring within a feature:
- Microprocessor utilization (per LPAR image if it applies)
- Physical PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus utilization
- Bandwidth per port (both read and write directions; per LPAR image if it applies)
With this enhanced support, a user can now better understand the possible bandwidth bottlenecks, and can perform root cause analysis.
Refer to OS/390 Resource Measurement Facility Report Analysis (SC28-1950-04) for more information.
IBM Business Initiatives
S/390 Server Consolidation Initiative
The S/390 Server Consolidation initiative's goal is to continue to drive the consolidation of workloads to S/390, achieve cost reductions, and exploit new technologies and functions that enhance enterprise management, security, and application integration. In this way, you have the ability and flexibility to compete in your market and grow your business.
With Gigabit Ethernet, IBM delivers the flexibility customers require to re-host their workloads to S/390 for those applications that require high-speed connections across the LAN backbone in support of intranet and Internet networks.
S/390 e-business Initiative
The S/390 e-business initiative's goal is to continue the rapid evolution of S/390 as the platform of choice for highly available, scalable, and secure e-business. S/390 is a key player in the Internet/intranet opportunity and will remain so as new leading-edge capabilities are added to OS/390.
Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) reduces processing latency and improves the responsiveness of highly interactive applications, dramatically increasing the bandwidth available to corporate data and transaction systems without requiring a corresponding increase in I/O resources.
S/390 Technology Leadership Initiative
IBM S/390 provides an infrastructure of hardware and software that responds quickly and easily to changing requirements and new opportunities. S/390 integrates software and hardware functions to offer comprehensive end-to-end enterprise solutions required in today's extremely fast-paced and competitive business environments. GbE support is offered in response to the increasing demand for data, and the necessity of offering a cost-effective solution that preserves the existing infrastructure.
Year 2000
When used in accordance with its associated documentation, it is capable of correctly processing, providing, and/or receiving date data within and between the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, provided that all products (for example, hardware, software, and firmware) used with the product properly exchange accurate date data with it.
Product Positioning
When selecting a LAN technology, it is important that you consider what your network will be used for tomorrow.
- Do you need increased network capacity?
- Do you need faster access to information?
- Do you want to utilize the current investment in your fiber optic infrastructure?
- Do you need to eliminate bandwidth bottlenecks?
- Do you want to position yourself to implement new applications?
- Are you moving to non-traditional applications that require increased bandwidth?
- Are you currently using Ethernet or Fast Ethernet for the LAN backbone?
- Do you plan to implement a switched infrastructure to ensure your network is positioned to satisfy future growth?
If you answered "yes" to one or more of these questions, the OSA-Express GbE features may be ideal for your business. You can migrate to GbE to:
- Alleviate LAN backbone congestion
- Increase current LAN bandwidth to improve network performance
- Enable new, high-bandwidth application development
- Allow consolidation of lower-speed networking technologies
The OSA-Express GbE features are for TCP/IP environments only. GbE is ideal for campus enterprise backbones that are experiencing network congestion and bottlenecks. OSA-Express GbE can be used in a heterogeneous environment where there may be a mix of Ethernet and Fast Ethernet LAN segments.
With OSA-Express GbE, the current network infrastructure can be maintained, and at the same time bandwidth bottleneck problems can be solved. The expertise already gained by network administrators can be utilized as this evolutionary step is taken.
OSA-Express GbE is a suitable solution, whether applications include database access, file sharing, electronic mail, system backup, or e-business.
OSA-Express GbE can be used as the path to hubs, bridges, switches, and routers supporting GbE 1000BASE-SX or GbE 1000BASE-LX interfaces, as a high-speed alternative to a parallel or ESCON channel, or S/390 Open Systems Adapter 2 feature.
Note: If you plan to configure an OSA-Express GbE feature to use jumbo frames, care should be taken to ensure the selected target hub, bridge, switch, or router supports the OSA-Express GbE feature implementation of jumbo frames and the same Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) size is used for all elements of the LAN segment.
Enterprise Extender, supported by CS OS/390 Version 2 Release 6, allows the customer to run SNA applications through any supported Internet Protocol (IP) connection. Enterprise Extender support in the IBM 2216 Nways® Multiaccess Connector with IBM Nways Multiprotocol Access Services Version 2 (5765-C90), or the IBM 3746 Nways Multiprotocol Controller, Multiaccess Enclosure with feature number 5805 — can be used to extend APPN® High Performance Routing (HPR) to IP networks with a SNA connection to the S/390 Server. The above options enable higher end user session availability, improved control with SNA priority queueing, and greater scalability of the host gateway.
The S/390 Open Systems Adapter 2 features, or parallel- or ESCON-attached communications controllers, continue to provide access to S/390 Server and client Systems Network Architecture/Advanced Peer to Peer Networking resources.
Site & Connectivity Services — Where IT and Buildings Meet!
When planning for an Information Technology (IT) solution, it is important to consider the potential impact to the physical network and building infrastructure. These environments are critical to computer systems' stability. Site & Connectivity Services offers a range of services to address these needs:
- Site Services — Site preparation and facilities construction, renovation, and fit-out
- Power Protection Services — Uninterruptible power supplies and environmental equipment
- Connectivity Design and Implementation Services — Physical network communications, planning, and installation
- Relocation — Equipment roll-outs, moves, re-arrangements, and discontinuances
SmoothStart™/Installation Services
IBM SmoothStart Services, an on-site implementation and training startup service, is designed to accelerate productive use of an IBM solution. The service is provided by IBM Global Services or an IBM Business Partner at an additional cost. For additional information, contact an IBM representative.
IBM Installation Services are provided by IBM Global Services or an IBM Business Partner at an additional cost.
Statement of General Direction
Additional OSA-Express Features Utilizing the G5 Server Infrastructure
High-speed network connections in the server are essential as the quantity and size of data files transmitted over the network increases in support of intranet and Internet traffic, as well as imaging, data warehousing, and backup applications.
The new generation of integrated Local Area Network (LAN) adapters, OSA-Express, attaches directly to the G5 Server's Self-Timed Interconnect (STI) bus.
IBM intends to offer OSA-Express features supporting Fast Ethernet, and 155 ATM. These new OSA-Express features will continue to plug directly into a standard I/O slot.
This information should be taken into consideration when utilizing the new Concurrent Conditioning Feature Number 1999 to plan for non-disruptive upgrades at some future date.
Reference Information
Refer to Software Announcement 299-042 , dated February 22, 1999 (IBM OS/390 Version 2 Release 7 Availability and Release 8).
Refer to Software Announcement 299-041 , dated February 22, 1999 (S/390 Open Systems Adapter Support Facility for OS/390 Version 2 Release 1).
Trademarks
Gigabit Ethernet — Short and Long Wavelength Features
The OSA-Express GbE Short Wavelength (SX) feature has one physical port supporting attachment to a 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) Ethernet LAN using a short wavelength optical transceiver for multimode fiber. Either 50 micron or 62.5 micron fiber can be utilized, the same fiber that is used currently in data centers to support ESCON® or the 155 ATM OSA-2 multimode feature. Refer to the table for maximum fiber distances.
The OSA-Express GbE Long Wavelength (LX) feature has one physical port supporting attachment to a 1 Gbps Ethernet LAN using a Long Wavelength optical transceiver for multimode fiber or single mode fiber. If multimode fiber is used with the long wavelength transceiver, a pair of mode conditioning patch cables (MCP) are required. Refer to the Migration Considerations section of this announcement. For multimode fiber, either 50 or 62.5 micron fiber can be utilized, the same fiber that is used currently in data centers to support ESCON or the 155 ATM OSA-2 multimode feature. For single mode fiber, 9 micron fiber is utilized, the same fiber that is used currently in data centers to support HiPerLinks or the 155 ATM OSA-2 single mode feature. Refer to the table for maximum fiber distances.
Transceiver Fiber Distance
SX 62.5 micron multimode 275 meters
(902 feet)
SX 50 micron multimode 550 meters
(1,804 feet)
LX 62.5 micron multimode 550 meters
with a pair of mode (1,804 feet)
conditioning patch cables
LX 50 micron multimode 550 meters
with a pair of mode (1,804 feet)
conditioning patch cables
LX 9 micron single mode 5 kilometers
(3.1 miles)
Queued Direct Input/Output
With Queued Direct Input/Output (QDIO), the number of I/O interruptions is minimized. When the QDIO data queues are activated, by the use of "start subchannel", continuous direct data exchanges between the OSA-Express GbE microprocessor and the communications program are initiated and communications between the two processing functions remain active without requiring subsequent uses of "start subchannel". A Direct Memory Access (DMA) protocol is used to transfer all network data between the OSA-Express GbE feature's microprocessor and the S/390® Server's communication program in a highly efficient manner while maintaining the inherent reliability and data integrity of the S/390 I/O subsystem architecture.
Publications
The following new publication will be available at planned availability.
Order
Title Number
OSA-Express Customer's SA22-7403
Guide and Reference
The following publication is being updated and is available at planned availability of the OSA-Express GbE features.
Order
Title Number
OS/390(R) Resource Measurement SC28-1950
Facility Report Analysis
The following publication is being updated and is available at planned availability of the S/390 Open Systems Adapter Support Facility for OS/390 Version 2 Release 1.
Order
Title Number
OS/390 Open Systems Adapter Support SC28-1855
Facility User's Guide for OSA-2
Technical Information
Specified Operating Environment
- IEEE 802.3z Gigabit Ethernet Standard
- IEEE 802.3 CSMA/CD Protocols
- IEEE 802.2 LAN MAC Protocols
- Ethernet V.2 Protocols
- DIX Version 2 Ethernet (RFC 894)
- Data rate: 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps)
- IEEE 802.3 Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) size: 1492 bytes
- DIX Version 2 Ethernet MTU size: 1500 bytes
- DIX Version 2 Ethernet MTU size for jumbo frames: Up to 9000 bytes
- Connector type on port: SC Duplex
- Port count: One
- Cable type: multimode fiber (50 or 62.5 micron)
- Data rate: 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps)
- IEEE 802.3 MTU size: 1492 bytes
- DIX Version 2 Ethernet MTU size: 1500 bytes
- DIX Version 2 Ethernet MTU size for jumbo frames: Up to 9000 bytes
- Connector type on port: SC Duplex
- Port count: One
- Cable type: multimode fiber (50 or 62.5 micron) when used with a pair of mode conditioning patch (MCP) cables, or single mode fiber (9 micron)
The OSA-Express GbE features are supported on the following S/390 Servers:
-
S/390 Parallel Enterprise Server™ — Generation 5
- 9672 R6 Models R16, RA6, R26, RB6, RC6, RD6, R36, R46, R56, R66 R76, R86, R96, RX6, Y56, Y66, Y76, Y86, Y96, YX6 T16, T26, Y16, Y26, Y36, Y46
For the appropriate hardware service levels, contact your service representative.
Software Requirements: Only the minimum program release levels are listed. Service levels and higher release levels are assumed to be supported.
The OSA-Express GbE features are supported by the following:
- OS/390 Version 2 Release 7 and above (5647-A01) with Program Temporary Fixes (PTFs)
- eNetwork™ Communications Server for OS/390 Version 2 Release 7 (CS OS/390 V2R7) with PTFs
- S/390 Open Systems Adapter Support Facility for OS/390 Version 2 Release 1 (5655-B57)
Resource Management Facility (RMF™) Reporting
The new enhancements available in RMF are supported as follows:
FICON
- OS/390 Version 2 Release 4 (5647-A01) and above with PTFs
- OS/390 Version 1 Release 3 (5645-001) with PTFs
OSA-Express GbE Features
- OS/390 Version 2 Release 7 (5647-A01) with PTFs
Compatibility: The OSA-Express GbE features can coexist with the current S/390 Open Systems Adapter 2 (OSA-2) Ethernet/Token-Ring, Fast Ethernet, FDDI, and 155 ATM features, as well as the parallel, ESCON, and FICON channels. As many as 12 OSA-Express GbE features can be configured, in addition to the current maximum of 12 OSA-2 features. The total quantity of OSA-Express GbE and FICON features cannot exceed 24.
The OSA-Express GbE features comply with the Ethernet standards.
Note: If jumbo frame support is a desired function, care should be taken to ensure the LAN-attachment device supports the maximum jumbo frame size you desire. Not all vendors' products support a jumbo frame size of up to 9000 bytes.
Note: IBM cannot confirm the accuracy of performance, compatibility, or any other claims related to non-IBM products. Questions regarding the attachment capabilities of non-IBM products to the OSA-Express GbE should be addressed to the suppliers of those products.
Migration Considerations: An ENTR (Ethernet/Token-Ring) OSA-2 feature or a Fast Ethernet OSA-2 feature cannot be upgraded to an OSA-Express GbE feature. The OSA-Express GbE features are new feature types.
Each OSA-Express GbE feature has one port that can be used to connect to a 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) Ethernet network.
When migrating to an OSA-Express GbE environment from a Fast Ethernet OSA-2 environment that supports Category 5 copper cables, ensure the necessary fiber optic cables are available.
The customer is responsible for all cabling. The physical connectors must comply with the standards for the fiber being installed. Refer to Cable Orders in the Supplemental Information section for details.
Mode conditioning patch (MCP) cables are available, and must be installed in pairs at both the sending and receiving sides of the fiber optic multimode links if 50 micron or 62.5 micron multimode fiber is used with the OSA-Express GbE long wavelength (LX) feature (#2351).
An OSA-Express GbE LX feature supports connectivity to 50 micron or 62.5 micron multimode fiber optic cables up to a distance of 550 meters (1,804 feet). These mode conditioning patch (MCP) cables allow customers to continue using their existing 50 micron or 62.5 micron multimode fiber optic cables at reduced distances with an OSA-Express GbE long wavelength feature.
Planning Information
The following table identifies the supported quantities of FICON and OSA-Express GbE.
Feature Minimum Maximum(1) Increments 2314 FICON 0 24 1 2350 OSA-Express 0(2) 12 1 GbE SX 2351 OSA-Express 0(2) 12 1 GbE LX
- 1
- The total number of FICON and OSA-Express GbE features cannot exceed 24 per system.
- 2
- One S/390 Open Systems Adapter 2 or OSA-Express GbE feature is standard on the G5 Server. The feature is selectable and can be an OSA-2 ENTR (Ethernet/Token-Ring), FDDI, Fast Ethernet, 155 ATM multimode, 155 ATM single mode, or an OSA-Express GbE feature.
Cable Orders: All cables are a customer responsibility and are chargeable to the customer.
The OSA-Express GbE features support the standard transmission scheme, 1000BASE-SX and 1000BASE-LX. Each feature has a single SC Duplex connector.
Fiber Optic Cables for the OSA-Express GbE Features
Note: The Fibre Channel Standard (FCS) connector described in this document may be referred to as the SC Duplex connector. This connector is as defined by the ANSI (X3T9.3) FIBRE CHANNEL Physical and Signaling Interface (FC_PH), Rev.4.2.
Note: The lowest layer of the Gigabit Ethernet (IEEE 802.3z) protocol stack uses the FC-0 layer from the Fibre Channel specification. FC-0 describes the physical characteristics of the interface and media, including the cables and connectors.
Fiber optic cables are required for connecting an OSA-Express GbE feature to the Local Area Network via a hub, bridge, switch, or router supporting GbE 1000BASE-SX or GbE 1000BASE-LX interfaces.
The OSA-Express GbE Short Wavelength (SX) feature supports attachment to a 1 Gbps Ethernet LAN utilizing 50/125-micrometer or 62.5/125-micrometer fiber optic cables.
The OSA-Express GbE Long Wavelength (LX) feature supports attachment to a 1 Gbps Ethernet LAN utilizing 50/125-micrometer, 62.5/125-micrometer, or 9/125-micrometer fiber optic cables.
IBM FCS multimode plenum 50/125-micrometer fiber optic jumper cable assembly number 54G3384 is available in the following standard lengths:
7 meters (20 feet)
13 meters (40 feet)
22 meters (70 feet)
31 meters (100 feet)
46 meters (150 feet)
61 meters (200 feet)
Custom Length
IBM FCS multimode plenum 62.5/125-micrometer fiber optic jumper cable assembly number 54G3372 is available in the following standard lengths:
7 meters (20 feet)
13 meters (40 feet)
22 meters (70 feet)
31 meters (100 feet)
46 meters (150 feet)
61 meters (200 feet)
Custom Length
IBM FCS single mode plenum 9/125-micrometer fiber optic jumper cable assembly number 08H2774 is available in the following standard lengths:
7 meters (20 feet)
13 meters (40 feet)
22 meters (70 feet)
31 meters (100 feet)
46 meters (150 feet)
61 meters (200 feet)
Custom Length
Ordering Information
Administrative personnel at the local IBM office must use cable assembly number 54G3384, specifying either a custom length or one of the standard lengths shown above, to order chargeable IBM FCS multimode plenum 50/125-micrometer fiber optic jumper cables as bulk cable using MSORDER. The maximum custom length is 500 meters (1,640 feet). For custom lengths longer than 500 meters (1,640 feet), contact your IBM representative.
Administrative personnel at the local IBM office must use cable assembly number 54G3372, specifying either a custom length or one of the standard lengths shown above, to order chargeable IBM FCS multimode plenum 62.5/125-micrometer fiber optic jumper cables as bulk cable using MSORDER. The maximum custom length is 500 meters (1,640 feet). For custom lengths longer than 500 meters (1,640 feet), contact your IBM representative.
Administrative personnel must use cable assembly number 08H2774, specifying either a custom length or one of the standard lengths shown above, to order chargeable IBM FCS single mode plenum 9/125-micrometer fiber optic jumper cables as bulk cable using MSORDER. The maximum custom length is 500 meters (1,640 feet). For custom lengths longer than 500 meters (1,640 feet), contact your IBM representative.
Trunk Cables
Fiber optic trunks terminated in distribution panels are recommended in large single room data centers, multiple room and multiple floor data centers, and data centers spread among buildings or sites.
IBM publication GA23-0367, Planning for Fiber Optic Channel Links , should always be consulted when requirements include fiber optic trunk facilities.
Use of trunks will require additional jumper cables and components, which are available from IBM Customer Service or from IBM Authorized Cabling Distributors. For the name of the nearest distributor, call 800-IBM-2468 (426-2468).
For additional fiber optic components and connectivity solutions, contact your local IBM office Installation Planning representative or your Area Cabling Specialist.
Assistance in planning, design, and installation of fiber optic cabling systems is available. For more details, contact your IBM representative.
Reference Information
Refer to Maintenance Information for Fiber Optic Channel Links (SY27-2597).
This manual provides problem determination, testing procedures, and specifications for ESCON, FICON, and HiPerLinks. It will be updated in support of OSA-Express GbE no later than planned availability.
Installability: The OSA-Express GbE features have an approximate field upgrade installation time of four hours. This time includes systems assurance.
Security, Auditability, and Control
The OSA-Express GbE features use the security and auditability features of the S/390 Server hardware and software.
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
Feature Section
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.
Field Installable Feature: Yes
Licensed Internal Code: Same license terms and conditions as designated machines
All other terms and conditions are the same as those applicable to the IBM S/390 Server in which the feature is installed.
Charges
The hardware and maintenance prices for the features listed are available from your IBM representative.
Feature
Description Number
OSA-Express GbE SX 2350
OSA-Express GbE LX 2351
FICON MCP 50 micron 0103
GbE LX MCP 50 micron 0104
GbE LX MCP 62.5 micron 0105
FICON MCP 62.5 micron 0106
Trademarks