Hardware and software configuration

Server hardware

IBM System z

One z/LPAR on IBM zEnterprise® z196 model 2817-M32 (2 books) 5.2 GHz, equipped with:

• Up to 6 physical CPU IFLs (cores)
• 16 GB Central Storage
• 2 x OSA express 4 cards
• 8 Ficon Express8 S LX (shortwave) supporting ECKD for DASD device access
• 4 Ficon Express8 S LX (shortwave) supporting FCP for SCSI device access

Storage server setup

The storage server was a DS8300 2107-932. For all System z systems and applications on up to 16 Linux host systems:

DASD

• Each test uses 10 ECKD devices type mod 27s spread over 2 Logical Control Units (LCUs), one from each internal process complex
• Each LCU had devices available in 5 ranks.
• For normal set up the devices were spread across the ranks
• 4 dedicated Host adapters to the system under test

FCP

• Each test uses 10 FCP devices, size 20 GiB spread over 2 LSS's, one from each internal processor complex
• Each LSS had one extent pool striped over 3 ranks each (storage pool striping)
• 4 dedicated Host adapters to the system under test

The disk devices were selected from both internal processor complexes on the DS8300, to make use of the full cache capacity from both complexes.

Both connection types use a switch between System z and the DS8700.

Server software

Client hardware

One IBM x Series x335 Type 8676 2-way was used.

Client software

Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS release 4 (Nahant Update 3)