Planning for Fiber Optic Links (FICON/FCP, Coupling Links, Open Systems Adapters, and zHyperLink Express)

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GA23-1410-00

This publication provides information that can be used to plan for IBM® Fiber Optic Links. It includes coupling facility links, Open Systems Adapter (OSA), zHyperLink Express, and Fiber Connection (FICON®), which is IBM's implementation of the ANSI Fibre Channel Standard with additional support for multiple-mode fibers. Although it contains general information relating to fiber optic cables, components, and optical fiber data processing environments, it includes only what is supported for these fiber optic links.

With the development of products that use optical cable as a transmission medium, data processing centers and LANs are expanding beyond the limitations of copper cable. Optical cable allows attaching products to take advantage of the following benefits:
  • Extended distances
  • Higher data rates
  • Smaller and lighter cable
  • Less susceptibility to radio frequency interference (RFI) and electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Because of the physical characteristics of optical cable and the products that use it, planning an optical fiber installation should be approached with a thorough understanding of this technology. This includes the factors associated with extended distance links (for example, right-of-way considerations) and using component and distribution hardware. To plan an installation that supports current products and future products, plan carefully and early.

This publication is available for download here.