6947ch03.fm

Draft Document for Review April 7, 2004 6:15 pm

FQC supports all of the ESCON channels in the I/O cage. FQC cannot be ordered for selected channels.

3.4.3 FICON channel

Following are connectivity options in the FICON I/O interface environment.

FICON Express features

There are two types of FICON channel transceivers supported on the z990, a long wavelength (LX) laser version, and a short wavelength (SX) laser version, as explained:

￿z990 FICON Express LX feature (feature code 2319) with two ports per feature, supporting LC Duplex connectors.

￿z990 FICON Express SX feature (feature code 2320) with two ports per feature, supporting LC Duplex connectors.

Note: Only FICON Express feature cards are available for FICON connectivity on z990. FICON channel cards (z900’s feature codes 2315 and 2318), the original pre-FICON Express cards, are not offered as a new build option and are replaced with new FICON Express feature cards (feature cards 2319 or 2320) during an upgrade from z900.

FICON channel features can be installed in the z990 server. The features can be connected to a FICON-capable control unit, either point-to-point or switched point-to-point, through a Fibre Channel switch. FICON Express LX (at 1Gbps) can also be connected to the FICON LX Bridge port feature of an IBM 9032 ESCON Director.

Up to 120 FICON channels (60 features) can be installed in the z990. The model A08 can have up to 96 FICON channels (48 features), which is limited by the number of STIs available on model A08 servers.

FICON Express LX feature

The z990 FICON Express LX feature (feature code 2319) occupies one I/O slot in the z990 I/O cage. The feature has two Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) cards. Each PCI card has a single port supporting an LC duplex connector, with one PCHID associated to each port, and supports link speeds of 1 Gbps or 2 Gbps.

Each port supports attachment to the following:

￿FICON LX Bridge one port feature of an IBM 9032 ESCON Director at 1Gbps only

￿Fibre Channel Switch that supports 1Gbps/2Gbps Fibre Channel/FICON LX

￿Control unit that supports 1Gbps/2Gbps Fibre Channel/FICON LX

￿FICON channel in Fibre Channel Protocol (FCP) mode

Each port of the z990 FICON Express LX feature uses a 1300 nanometer (nm) fiber bandwidth transceiver. The port supports connection to a 9 micron single-mode fiber optic cable terminated with an LC Duplex connector.

96IBM eServer zSeries 990 Technical Guide

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IBM 990 manual Ficon channel, Ficon Express features, Ficon Express LX feature

990 specifications

The IBM 990 series, often referred to in the context of IBM's pioneering efforts in the realm of mainframe computing, represents a unique chapter in the history of information technology. Introduced in the late 1960s, the IBM 990 series was designed as a powerful tool for enterprise-level data processing and scientific calculations, showcasing the company's commitment to advancing computing capabilities.

One of the main features of the IBM 990 was its architecture, which was built to support a wide range of applications, from business processing to complex scientific computations. The system employed a 32-bit word length, which was advanced for its time, allowing for more flexible and efficient data handling. CPUs in the IBM 990 series supported multiple instructions per cycle, which contributed significantly to the overall efficiency and processing power of the machines.

The technology behind the IBM 990 was also notable for its use of solid-state technology. This provided a shift away from vacuum tube systems that were prevalent in earlier computing systems, enhancing the reliability and longevity of the hardware. The IBM 990 series utilized core memory, which was faster and more reliable than the magnetic drum memory systems that had been standard up to that point.

Another defining characteristic of the IBM 990 was its extensibility. Organizations could configure the machine to suit their specific needs by adding memory, storage, and peripheral devices as required. This modular approach facilitated the growth of systems alongside the technological and operational demands of the business environments they served.

In terms of software, the IBM 990 series was compatible with a variety of operating systems and programming environments, including FORTRAN and COBOL, enabling users to access a broader array of applications. This versatility was a significant advantage, making the IBM 990 an appealing choice for educational institutions, research facilities, and enterprises alike.

Moreover, the IBM 990 was engineered to support multiprocessing, which allowed multiple processes to run simultaneously, further increasing its effectiveness in tackling complex computing tasks.

In summary, the IBM 990 series represents a significant advancement in computing technology during the late 20th century. With a robust architecture, versatile configuration options, and a focus on solid-state technology, the IBM 990 facilitated substantial improvements in data processing capabilities, making it a cornerstone for many businesses and academic institutions of its time. Its impact can still be seen today in the continued evolution of mainframe computing.