HP StorageWorks XP Disk Array Mainframe Host Attachment and Operations Guide XP24000, XP20000 (A5951 - 96151, September 2007)

1 Overview of Mainframe Operations
This chapter provides an overview of mainframe host attachment issues, functions, and operations.
Mainframe Compatibility and Functionality
The XP24000/XP20000 disk arrays support 3990-6, 3990-6E, and 2105 and 2107 control unit
(CU) emulation types and can be configured with multiple concurrent logical volume image (LVI)
formats, including 3390-3, 3390-3R, 3390-9, and larger. For additional information on mainframe
environments, contact your HP representative.
In addition to full System-Managed Storage (SMS) compatibility, the storage system also provides the
following functionalities in the mainframe environment:
• Sequential data striping
• Cache fast write (CFW) and DASD fast write (DFW)
• Enhanced dynamic cache management
• Multiple Allegiance support
• Concurrent Copy (CC) support
• Peer-to-Peer Remote Copy (PPRC) and Extended Remote Copy (XRC) support
• FlashCopy support
• Enhanced CCW support
• Priority I/O queuing
• Parallel Access Volume (PAV) support
• Transaction Processing Facility (TPF)/Multi-Path Locking Facility (MPLF) support
• Support for Red Hat Linux for IBM S/390 and zSeries
• Support for SuSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) for IBM zSeries
For details on FICON connectivity, FICON/Open intermix configurations, and supported FCAs,
switches, and directors (for example, McDATA or CNT) for the storage system, contact your HP
representative.
Connectivity
The storage system supports concurrent attachment to mainframe servers, UNIX servers, and PC servers.
The storage system provides heterogeneous connectivity to support all-mainframe, all-open, and
multiplatform configurations:
• FICON: When FICON channel interfaces are used, the storage system can provide up to 64 control
unit (CU) images and 16,384 logical devices (LDEVs). Each physical FICON channel interface
(port) supports up to 65,536 logical paths (1024 host paths × 64 CUs) for a maximum of 131,072
logical paths per storage system. FICON connection provides transfer rates of up to 400 MB/sec
(4 Gbps).
• Extended Serial Adapter (ExSA) (compatible with ESCON protocol): When ExSA channel interfaces
are used, ExSA can provide access to up to 64 control unit (CU) images and 16,384 logical
XP Disk Array Mainframe Host Attachment and Operations Guide 13