6947ch03.fm

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

The OSA-Express FENET feature supports auto-negotiation with its attached Ethernet hub, router, or switch. If you allow the LAN speed to default to auto-negotiation, the FENET OSA-Express and the attached hub, router, or switch auto-negotiates the LAN speed setting between them. If the attached Ethernet hub, router, or switch does not support auto-negotiation, the OSA enters the LAN at the default speed of 100 Mbps in half-duplex mode.

If you are not using auto-negotiate, the OSA will attempt to join the LAN at the specified speed/mode; however, the speed/mode settings are only used when the OSA is first in the LAN. If this fails, the OSA will attempt to join the LAN as if auto-negotiate were specified.

The OSA-Express FENET feature can be defined with CHPID type OSD or OSE. The HPDT MPC mode is no longer available on the FENET for z990.

OSA-Express Token Ring (feature code 2367)

The z990 OSA-Express Token Ring feature (feature code 2367) occupies one I/O slot in the z990 I/O cage. The feature has two independent ports, with one PCHID associated with each port. The OSA-Express Token Ring feature can be defined with CHPID type OSD or OSE

The OSA-Express Token Ring feature supports auto-sensing 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 auto-sense, 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 auto-sense, 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.

Each port has an RJ-45 receptacle and a DB-9 D shell receptacle for cabling to a Token Ring MAU or Token Ring switch that is appropriate for the LAN speed. Only one of the port’s two receptacles can be used at any time.

The RJ-45 receptacle is required to be attached using EIA/TIA category 5 unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable that does not exceed 100 m (328 ft), or a shielded twisted pair (STP) cable with a DB-9 D Shell connector.

Checksum offload for IPv4 packets when in QDIO mode

Afunction, called Checksum Offload, offered for the OSA-Express GbE and 1000BASE-T Ethernet features, was introduced for the Linux for zSeries and z/OS environments. Checksum Offload provides the capability of calculating the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), and Internet Protocol (IP) header checksums. Checksum verifies the correctness of files. By moving the checksum calculations to a Gigabit or 1000BASE-T Ethernet feature, host CPU cycles are reduced and performance is improved.

When checksum is offloaded, the OSA-Express feature performs the checksum calculations for Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4) packets. This function applies to packets which actually go onto the Local Area Network (LAN) or come in from the LAN. When multiple IP stacks share an OSA-Express, and an IP stack sends a packet to a next hop address owned by another IP stack sharing the OSA-Express, OSA-Express sends the IP packet directly to the other IP stack without placing it out on the LAN. Checksum Offload does not apply to such IP packets.

102IBM eServer zSeries 990 Technical Guide

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IBM 990 manual Checksum offload for IPv4 packets when in Qdio mode, OSA-Express Token Ring feature code

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.