Sun Microsystems 96257 manual Prerequisites for FICON Connectivity

VTSS Configuration Planning

Prerequisites for FICON Connectivity

Note: VTCS 5.1 code or later and VTSS code D01.01.00.17 or higher are required pre- requisites for enabling front-end FICON connectivity between a VTSS and main- frame (host) CPU or FICON director. VTCS 6.0 code or higher and VTSS code D01.02.00.00 or higher are required prerequisites for enabling back-end FICON connectivity between a VTSS and RTDs or cluster-links (Clinks).

In a VSM5-VTSS, front-end channel transfers are never synchronized with back-end array transfers. As such, timing problems associated with channel extenders for traditional disk storage systems do not apply to the VSM5-VTSS.

A VTSS must be ordered with minimum of 4 VCF3 cards for front-end FICON connections. The field upgrade procedure is disruptive, i.e., the VTSS must be powered down and host interfaces must be reconfigured after installing the VCF3 cards and 32-Port FICON option. Whether FICON connectivity is provided through a factory-ordered unit or a field upgrade, the 32-Port FICON option must be installed.

Prerequisites for front-end FICON connectivity to hosts and FICON directors are:

•Two VCF3 card pairs (four cards total)

•VTCS code level 5.1 or higher

•VTSS code level D01.01.00.17 or higher.

Prerequisites for back-end FICON connectivity to real tape drives (RTDs) and cluster-links (Clinks) are:

•One or more VCF2 card pairs in place of a like number of ICE3 card pairs

•VTCS code level 6.0 or higher

•VTSS code level D01.02.00 or higher.

Additional Prerequisites for FICON RTDs

Additional prerequisites applicable only for back-end FICON connectivity to RTDs are:

•Minimum tape drive microcode levels

-9840B tape drives = 1.35.304 or higher

-9940B tape drives = 1.35.404 or higher

-9940C tape drives = 1.35.504 or higher

-T10000 tape drives = 1.35.604 or higher

•3490 Emulation Mode – All RTDs must use 3490 Emulation Mode, which is selected at the T9X40 Emulation Mode submenu.

•Receive Buffer Frame Size – All RTDs must have their receive buffer frame size set to 2048 MB, which is selected at the T9X40 Port A/B Maximum Data Size submenu.

See Chapter 5 of the T9X40 Service Reference Manual, P/N 95740, for details on how to verify code levels and set the parameters listed above.

96257	Sun Confidential: Internal Only	2-35
	Revision A