Configuration Planning
2-36 Sun Confidential: Internal Only 96257
Revision A
Native FICON Attachment
Native FICON attachment refers to a FICON CPU channel connected to a FICON control
unit interface, which may pass through a FICON director (switch). Since the connection is
all-FICON, all channels can provide the increased performance of FICON if the attached
devices are capable of FICON speeds.
Figure 2-6 illustrates the two attachment modes for native FICON: direct and switched. Di-
rect (point-to-point) attachment consists of a CPU FICON channel that connects directly to
a FICON control unit interface, without any intervening directors (switches).
Switched attachment is similar to direct attachment except that the FICON path passes
through a FICON switch, similar to an ESCON director. Adding a FICON director/switch
providee increased flexibility and connectivity similar to what ESCON directors provide,
but with the benefits and features of FICON.
Figure 2-6. Native FICON Attachment Options
Native FI
CO
N
C
hannel
(
F
C)
FICON Direct
Point-to-Point (FC)
FICON Switched
Point-to-Point (FC)
FICON
Interface
VSM5 - VTSS
FICON
Interface
VSM5 - VTSS
FICON
Interface
FICON
Director
(Switch)
Host System Host System Host System
A504
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