Hardware Specifications; Ficon Chas; Logical Paths - HP XP P9500 Operation Manual

Figure 3 zHPF protocol read/write sequence

Hardware specifications

For details on FICON/zHPF connectivity, FICON/Open intermix configurations, and supported
HBAs, switches, and directors for the storage array, contact your HP representative.

FICON CHAs

The CHAs contain the microprocessors that process the channel commands from the host(s) and
manage host access to cache. In the mainframe environment, CHAs perform count-key data
(CKD)-to-fixed-block architecture (FBA) and FBA-to-CKD conversion for the data in cache. CHA
boards are installed in pairs. All of the channel interfaces on each adapter can transfer data
simultaneously and independently. Each CHA pair comprises one type of channel interface (for
example, FICON).
The FICON CHAs provide the storage system with FICON/zHPF capabilities. FICON CHAs are
available in both shortwave (multimode) and longwave (single-mode) versions. See Table 2 4 for
the FICON CHA specifications for the HP P9500 disk array.
Table 7 FICON/zHPF CHA specifications
Parameter
Data Transfer Rate (Mbps)
Number of CHA pairs that can be
installed
(DKA Slot Used)
See Note 1
Number of Ports per Adapter (CHA
boards)
Number of Ports per Storage System
(DKA Slot Used)
Small Form Pluggable (SFP) Support
Maximum Cable Length

Logical paths

FICON/zHPF channels are capable of fast I/O rates. However, mainframes have a limited number
of paths that can be defined for a single control unit. One way to address this limitation is to use
logical paths. With multiple logical paths, additional paths are defined to the logical control units,
providing the host with access to a greater number of control unit interfaces and greater bandwidth.
FICON and FICON/zHPF support identical logical paths.
Logical paths are identified through a combination of channel image number, CU image number,
channel port address and CU port address. The following two figures show two conceptual drawings
of mainframe logical paths.
12 FICON/zHPF host attachment
Short Wave FICON
100 / 200 / 400 or 200 / 400 /
800
8 (15)
4/8
128 (160)
Short Wave
500m / 300m / 150m
Long Wave FICON
100 / 200 / 400 or 200 / 400 / 800
8 (15)
4/8
128 (160)
Long Wave
10km