Networking I/O support

Networking I/O support is provided by the Open Systems Adapter (OSA) family of adapters which include OSA-Express and Network Express adapters and the IBM Integrated Network Adapter 100G. The OSA family provides connectivity options that allow direct attachment of Gigabit Ethernet (various speeds) and 1000Base-T Ethernet local area networks (LANs) to the CPC.

The OSA family of features, when defined as other than OSA-ICC and OSA for NCP, support the CPC acting as an enterprise-wide server for multiple networks. LANs, LAN backbones, high speed workstations, hubs, bridges, and routers that conform to these LAN interface standards can connect directly to the open systems adapter, benefiting from the performance, connectivity, security, availability, and growth opportunities associated with the z/Architecture®. OSA-Express features either use the Queued Direct I/O (QDIO) architecture or non-QDIO architectures while Network Express features use the Enhanced Queued Direct I/O (EQDIO) architecture.

All OSA 1000Base-T Ethernet features and some Gigabit Ethernet features, when defined as an OSA-Express Integrated Console Controller (OSA-ICC), provide 3270 sessions that can serve as the system operator or master console for an operating system so you can IPL. OSA-ICC replaces the 2074 Console Support Controller and local, non-SNA 3174 control units. It uses TCP/IP over an Ethernet LAN to attach to personal computers which are running TN3270E emulators. OSA-ICC also provides support for connecting to TPF through 3215 data streams.

The OSA-Express2 or later Gigabit Ethernet and 1000Base-T Ethernet OSA-Express features, when defined as an OSA for network control program (NCP) channel support traffic between an operating system image and a Communication Controller for Linux® (CCL) image. An OSA for NCP channel (TYPE=OSN) and CCL replace the 374x control unit. An operating system image (for example, z/OS®) communicates with the OSN channel using the same Channel Data Link Control (CDLC) protocol it used when communicating with the 374x control unit (for example, using an ESCON channel). The NCP function of the 374x control unit is performed by CCL, which communicates with the OSN channel using the QDIO architecture. CCL also has access to LANs through another OSA channel. This enables the operating system image to communicate with the LANs connected to the CCL image. The operating system image communicates with the OSN channel using devices defined in IOCP as 3745 (UNIT keyword on IODEVICE statement). CCL communicates with the OSN channel using devices defined in IOCP as OSN.

The OSA-Express3 or later 10 Gigabit Ethernet OSA-Express features, when defined as an OSA for zBX data network channel, supports the data traffic between the operating system and the zBX blade center. This defines the connection to the zBX internal switch for the intraensemble data network (IEDN) providing physical connection from zEnterprise® to the blades.

The OSA-Express3 or later 1000BaseT Ethernet OSA-Express features, when defined as an OSA for zBX management network channel, supports the management traffic between the operating system and the ensemble management functions. This defines the connection to the intranode management network (INMN) providing blade management functions.