OSA-Express for NCP, supporting the channel data link control (CDLC) protocol, provides connectivity between System z operating systems and IBM Communication Con- troller for Linux (CCL). CCL allows you to keep your busi- ness data and applications on the mainframe operating systems while moving NCP functions to Linux on System z.
CCL provides a foundation to help enterprises simplify their network infrastructure while supporting traditional Systems Network Architecture (SNA) functions such as SNA Network Interconnect (SNI).
Communication Controller for Linux on System z is the solution for companies that want to help improve network availability by replacing token-ring networks and ESCON channels with an Ethernet network and integrated LAN adapters on System z10, OSA-Express3 or OSA-Express2 GbE or 1000BASE-T.
OSA-Express for NCP is supported in the z/OS, z/VM, z/VSE, TPF, z/TPF, and Linux on System z environments.
OSA Integrated Console Controller
The OSA-Express Integrated Console Controller (OSA-ICC) support is a no-charge function included in Licensed Internal Code (LIC) on z10 EC, z10 BC, z9 EC, z9 BC, z990, and z890 servers. It is available via the OSA- Express3, OSA-Express2 and OSA-Express 1000BASE- T Ethernet features, and supports Ethernet-attached TN3270E consoles.
The OSA-ICC provides a system console function at IPL time and operating systems support for multiple logical partitions. Console support can be used by z/OS, z/OS.e, z/VM, z/VSE, z/TPF, and TPF. The OSA-ICC also supports local non-SNA DFT 3270 and 328x printer emulation for TSO/E, CICS, IMS™, or any other 3270 application that communicates through VTAM®.
With the OSA-Express3 and OSA-Express2 1000BASE-T Ethernet features, the OSA-ICC is confi gured on a port by port basis, using the Channel Path Identifi er (CHPID) type OSC. Each port can support up to 120 console session connections, can be shared among logical partitions using Multiple Image Facility (MIF), and can be spanned across multiple Channel Subsystems (CSSs).
Remove L2/L3 LPAR-to-LPAR Restriction
OSA port sharing between virtual switches can communi- cate whether the transport mode is the same (Layer 2 to Layer 2) or different (Layer 2 to Layer 3). This enhance- ment is designed to allow seamless mixing of Layer 2 and Layer 3 traffi c, helping to reduce the total cost of network- ing. Previously, Layer 2 and Layer 3 TCP/IP connections through the same OSA port (CHPID) were unable to com- municate with each other LPAR-to-LPAR using the Multiple Image Facility (MIF).
This enhancement is designed to facilitate a migration from Layer 3 to Layer 2 and to continue to allow LAN administrators to confi gure and manage their mainframe network topology using the same techniques as their non- mainframe topology.
OSA/SF Virtual MAC and VLAN id Display Capability
The Open Systems Adapter/Support Facility (OSA/SF) has the capability to support virtual Medium Access Control (MAC) and Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) identifi ca- tions (IDs) associated with OSA-Express2 feature confi g- ured as a Layer 2 interface. This information will now be displayed as a part of an OSA Address Table (OAT) entry. This information is independent of IPv4 and IPv6 formats. There can be multiple Layer 2 VLAN Ids associated to a single unit address. One group MAC can be associated to multiple unit addresses.
For additional information, view IBM Redbooks, IBM System z Connectivity Handbook (SG24-5444) at: www.redbooks.ibm.com/.
