Clustering Technology; Sysplex Hardware Overview - IBM z13s Technical Manual

3.9 Clustering technology

Parallel Sysplex is the clustering technology that is used with z13 and z13s servers.
Figure 3-16 illustrates the components of a Parallel Sysplex as implemented within the z
Systems architecture. The figure shows one of many possible Parallel Sysplex configurations.
IBM z13s
ICA-SR, PSIFB or IC
Sysplex
LPARs
Figure 3-16 Sysplex hardware overview
Figure 3-16 shows a z13s system that contains multiple z/OS sysplex partitions. It contains
an internal coupling facility (CF02), a z13 system that contains a stand-alone CF (CF01), and
a zEC12 that contains multiple z/OS sysplex partitions. STP over coupling links provides time
synchronization to all systems. The appropriate CF link technology (ICA SR, 1x IFB, or
12x IFB) selection depends on the system configuration and how distant they are physically.
The ISC-3 coupling link is not supported on z13 and z13s servers. For more information
about link technologies, see 4.9.1, "Coupling links" on page 174.
Parallel Sysplex technology is an enabling technology, allowing highly reliable, redundant,
and robust z Systems technology to achieve near-continuous availability. A Parallel Sysplex
makes up one or more (z/OS) operating system images that are coupled through one or more
Coupling Facilities. The images can be combined together to form clusters.
A correctly configured Parallel Sysplex cluster maximizes availability in these ways:
Continuous (application) availability: Changes can be introduced, such as software
upgrades, one image at a time, while the remaining images continue to process work. For
more information, see Parallel Sysplex Application Considerations, SG24-6523.
High capacity: Scales can be 2 - 32 images.
Dynamic workload balancing: Because it is viewed as a single logical resource, work can
be directed to any similar operating system image in a Parallel Sysplex cluster that has
available capacity.
Time Synchronization
provided by Server Time
z/OS
CF02
ICF
PSIFB - Parallel Sysplex InfiniBand
ICA - Integrated Coupling Adapter
IC - Internal Coupling link
Disks
IBM z13
CF01
ICF
Protocol
PSIFB
FICON
Disks Disks
Chapter 3. Central processor complex system design
IBM zEC12
Sysplex
LPARs
z/OS
131