Configuring FICON connections for use with FICON CTC partition links

Starting with DPM R5.2, you can create FICON® CTC partition links, which use Fibre Connection (FICON) channel-to-channel (CTC) connections to provide fast and efficient data transfer between partitions that reside on the same system. The system on which the partitions reside must have FICON connections that are available to use as paths for the partition link. To view existing or configure new FICON connections (paths), you can use a link in the Configure Partition Links task to go to FICON CONNECTIONS, which is part of the Configure Storage task.

To open the Configure Storage task, you can use a customized user ID either with authorization to the task, or with the predefined System Programmer Tasks role. Through FICON CONNECTIONS, you can build or modify a visual copy of the storage hardware devices in the SAN and their FICON connections to this system. This configuration can contain at most two physical sites where storage devices are located. The primary site is always where the DPM-enabled system is physically located. The visual copy includes a System box that contains a link called Connections, through which you can view or manage not only connections to storage subsystems and switches but, starting with DPM R5.2, also FICON network connections between partitions that reside on the same system.

When you select the Connections link in the System box, the Connections page opens to display a searchable table with an entry for each connection that is defined for the system. If the table is empty, select Add new connection to add a new connection between the system (adapter) and a storage subsystem; between a system (adapter) and a switch; or between two adapters on the same system. After you add these connections, you can use them as the foundation for storage groups that provide partitions with access to storage subsystems, or for FICON CTC partition links that interconnect partitions that reside on the same system.

Figure 1 shows a sample table that lists already configured FICON connections, along with specific properties for each connection. The connection usage value and the existence of a fabric (switch) determine which properties are included in the table. If an existing connection is in use, its table entry contains a lock icon in the leftmost column; in this case, you might be able to use the action icon to modify the connection usage, but you cannot delete the connection.

The table includes the following properties.

Adapter port
Specifies the user-supplied or DPM-assigned default name of an adapter that you selected for a connection.
Fabric - switch ID
Specifies the unique name of the fabric in which a switch resides, with the two-digit identifier of the switch. This value is shown only for switched connections.
Switch port
Specifies the two-digit identifier of the switch port. This value is shown only for switched connections.
Connecting adapter port
Specifies the user-supplied or DPM-assigned default name of an adapter that you selected as the connecting adapter for a connection. This value is shown only for point-to-point connections with a connection usage value of CTC.
Subsystem
Provides the name of the storage subsystem. This column is displayed only when the connection usage is defined as Storage.
Connection usage
Specifies the intended use for the adapter. This value determines where the adapter can be connected and used.
Storage
The FICON adapter port can be connected to a switch or directly to a storage subsystem. A direct connection to a storage subsystem is allowed only when no fabrics are defined for your system configuration.
CTC
The FICON adapter port can be connected to a switch or directly to another FICON adapter port. You can use this connection only as a path for a FICON CTC partition link. For more information about this type of partition link, see FICON CTC partition links.
Storage and CTC
The FICON adapter port can be connected only to a switch. You cannot define a connection usage of Storage and CTC unless a fabric with at least one switch is defined for your system configuration.
Connection type
Specifies the type of connection, which is either Switched or Point-to-point.
  • A switched connection uses one adapter port that is physically connected to a switch.
  • A point-to-point connection uses two adapter ports that are directly, physically connected to each other (that is, they are not connected through a switch).
Action icons
Each table row includes a modify icon (two horizontal lines with open circles) and a delete icon (trash can). If an existing connection is in use, its table entry contains a lock icon in the leftmost column; in this case, you might be able to use the action icon to modify the connection usage, but you cannot delete the connection.

For more information about configuring FICON connections, see the online help topic for FICON CONNECTIONS in the Configure Storage task.