19
Wave Division Multiplexor and Optical Amplifi ers that sup-
port 2 Gbps FICON Express links are: Cisco Systems ONS
15530 and 15540 ESP (LX, SX) and optical amplifi er (LX,
SX), Nortel Networks Optera Metro 5100, 5200 and 5300E
and optical amplifi er, ADVA Fiber Service Platform (FSP)
2000 system and the IBM 2029 Fiber Saver.
The raw bandwidth and distance capabilities that native
FICON end-to-end connectivity has to offer makes them of
interest for anyone with a need for high performance, large
data transfers or enhanced multi-site solutions.
FICON CTC function
Native FICON channels support channel-to-channel (CTC)
on the z990, z890, z900 and z800. G5 and G6 servers
can connect to a zSeries FICON CTC as well. This FICON
CTC connectivity will increase bandwidth between G5, G6,
z990, z890, z900, and z800 systems.
Because the FICON CTC function is included as part of the
native FICON (FC) mode of operation on zSeries, FICON
CTC is not limited to intersystem connectivity (as is the case
with ESCON), but will also support multiple device defi ni-
tions. For example, ESCON channels that are dedicated as
CTC cannot communicate with any other device, whereas
native FICON (FC) channels are not dedicated to CTC only.
Native can support both device and CTC mode defi nition
concurrently, allowing for greater connectivity fl exibility.
FICON Connectivity
FICON Support for Cascaded Directors
Native FICON (FC) channels now support cascaded
directors. This support is for a single hop confi guration
only. Two-director cascading requires a single vendor
high integrity fabric. Directors must be from the same
vendor since cascaded architecture implementations can
be unique. This type of cascaded support is important
for disaster recovery and business continuity solutions
because it can help provide high availability, extended
distance connectivity, and (particularly with the implemen-
tation of 2 Gbps Inter Switch Links), has the potential for
fi ber infrastructure cost savings by reducing the number of
channels for interconnecting the 2 sites.
= LX ONLY
All FICON Channels =
100MB/s
= LX or SX
FICON
Bridge
FICON
Bridge
32, 64 or 140
PORT
64, 128 or 256
PORT
= LX ONLY
ESCON
CU
ESCON
CU
ESCON
CU
ESS
F10, F20, 800
Enterprise
Tape
Controller
3590 A60
ESS
F10, F20, 800
Enterprise
Tape
Controller
3590 A60
2042
2032
ESCD
9032
Model 5