Networking

Hardware and software for the on demand operating environment

IBM Communication Controller for Linux (CCL) on System z
CCL is designed to help eliminate hardware dependencies, such as 3745/3746 Communication Controllers, ESCON channels, and Token-Ring LANs, by providing a software solution that allows the Network Control Program (NCP) to be run in Linux on System z9. CCL helps preserve mission critical SNA functions, such as SNI, and z/OS applications workloads which depend upon these functions, allowing you to collapse SNA inside a z9 BC while exploiting and leveraging IP.

The OSA-Express2 GbE and 1000BASE-T Ethernet features provide support for CCL with OSA-Express2 OSN (Open Systems Adapter for NCP). This support is designed to require no changes to operating systems (does require a PTF to support CHPID type OSN) and also allows TPF to exploit CCL. If you continue to need SNA solutions that require NCP functions, you can now consider CCL as a migration strategy to replace your IBM Communication Controllers (374x).

OSA-Express2 OSN (OSA for NCP)
The OSA-Express2 OSN (OSA for NCP) can help to eliminate the requirement to have any form of external medium, and all related hardware, for communications between the host operating system and the CCL image. Traffic between the two images (operating system and CCL) is no longer required to flow on an external Local Area Network (LAN) or ESCON channel. CHPID type OSN supports both SNA PU Type 5 and PU Type 2.1 channel connectivity. Utilizing existing SNA support (multiple transmission groups), OSA-Express2 OSN support permits multiple connections between the same CCL image and the same host operating system image. It also allows multiple CCL images to communicate with multiple operating system images, supporting up to 180 connections (3745/3746 unit addresses) per CHPID type OSN. CHPID type OSN can also span LCSSs. The CCL image connects to the OSA-Express2 feature using QDIO architecture and uses the Linux QDIO (qeth) support updated to support OSN device types. OSA-Express2 OSN (OSA for NCP) support is exclusive to System z9, to the OSA-Express2 GbE SX, GbE LX, and 1000BASE-T Ethernet features, and requires the port to be configured as CHPID type OSN, which can be configured on a port-by-port basis.

OSA Integrated Console Controller
The Open Systems Adapter Integrated Console Controller function (OSA-ICC), which is exclusive to the System z9, z990 and z890 servers since it is based on the OSAExpress2 and OSA-Express 1000BASE-T Ethernet features, supports the attachment of non-SNA 3270 terminals for operator console applications. Now, 3270 emulation for console session connections (TN3270E [RFC 2355] or non-SNA DFT 3270 emulation) is integrated in the System z platforms which can help eliminate the requirement for external console controllers (2074, 3174), helping to reduce cost and complexity. The OSA-ICC can be individually configured on a port-by-port basis. The OSA-ICC is enabled using CHPID type OSC.

The OSA-ICC supports up to 120 client console sessions per port either locally or remotely. Support for this function is provided with z/OS, z/VM, VSE/ESA, z/VSE, and TPF.

HiperSockets
The HiperSockets function, also known as internal Queued Direct Input/Output (iQDIO) or internal QDIO, is an integrated function of the z9 server that provides users with attachments to up to sixteen high-speed "virtual" 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 logical partitions in the same z9 BC 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 can be customized to accommodate varying traffic sizes. Since HiperSockets does not use an external network, it can free up system and network resources, eliminating attachment costs while improving availability, performance and security.

For additional information, consult IBM Redbooks, System z HiperSockets (SG24-6816) or IBM System z9 and System z Connectivity Handbook (SG24-5444) at: http://www.redbooks.ibm.com.