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

6947ch03.fm

The following cryptographic feature cards are supported in the zSeries 990 server:

￿Up to 4 Peripheral Component Interconnect X Cryptographic Coprocessor (PCIXCC)

￿Up to 12 Peripheral Component Interconnect Cryptographic Accelerator (PCICA)

All z990 servers have two frames. The A frame holds the CEC cage on top and one I/O cage on the bottom. The Z frame holds up to two optional I/O cages, which may be needed to accommodate the I/O configuration requirements.

3rd I/O Cage (optional)

2nd I/O Cage (optional)

Z Frame

A Frame

IBF

 

IBF

 

IBF

 

MRU

MRU

BPD

 

 

 

MDA

MDA

MDA

MDA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MDA

MDA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MDA

 

 

MDA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CEC Cage

1st I/O Cage (standard)

Figure 3-1 z990 frames and cages

Additional optional I/O cages may be required to install additional I/O and cryptographic cards during an upgrade. The first optional I/O cage is placed at the bottom of the Z frame, and the second optional I/O cage is at the top, as shown in Figure 3-1.Although I/O or cryptographic card installation is concurrent, an I/O cage installation requires an outage.

3.2 I/O cages

As mentioned, the z990 server can have up to three I/O cages to house the I/O cards and cryptographic cards required by a configuration.

Each I/O cage has 28 I/O slots available for I/O cards and cryptographic cards installation and up to seven I/O domains. Each I/O domain is made up of up to four I/O slots, as shown in Figure 3-2 on page 76.

Chapter 3. I/O system structure

75

Page 88 Page 90
Page 89
Image 89
IBM 990 manual I/O cages, CEC Cage 1st I/O Cage standard
Page 88 Page 90

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.
Top Page Image Contents