Specifications

Chapter 1. Introduction 5
Describes the signaling protocol of the high-performance serial link for support of
higher-level protocols associated with HIPPI, IPI, FC-FCP (SCSI), FC-SB2 (FICON)
and others.
This architecture covers the Fibre Channel levels FC-1, FC-2, and some parts of the
FC-3 level.
The FC-FS architecture consolidates the relevant clauses of FC-PH (the initial Fibre
Channel architecture), its amendments 1 and 3, and FC-PH-2 and FC-PH-3 protocols,
but does not replace those protocols. In this redbook the FC-FS architecture is referred
to as the zSeries and 9672 G5/G6 processors, which comply with the FC-FS functions.
These functions are described in more detail in the FC-FS architecture.
򐂰 FC-3 level: Common Services
This level is reserved for future functions.
򐂰 FC-4 level: Mapping
Channels Upper Level Protocol (ULP) as part of FC-4 and describes IPI/FC-FCP (SCSI)/
HIPPI/SB/IP and FC-SB-2 (FICON) protocols.
Other standards used in the Fibre Channel architecture, and their references:
– Fibre Channel - Switch Fabric (FC-SW)
ANSI X3T11/Project 959-D/Rev 3.3
– Single-Byte Command Code Sets Connection Architecture (SBCON)
ANSI X3.296-199x
– Fibre Channel Fabric Generic Requirements (FC-FG)
Describes minimum requirements for a topology-independent interconnecting fabric to
support FC-PH.
ANSI X3.289-199x
– Fibre Channel Switch Fabric (FC-SW)
Specifies tools and algorithms for interconnection and initialization of FC switches to
create a multi-switch Fibre Channel Fabric.
ANSI X3T11/Project 959-D/Rev 3.3
FC-SB-2 (FICON) architecture information and all other documentation mentioned can be
obtained from the following Web site:
http://www.t11.org
1.2.2 FICON channel support
FICON channel support in the zSeries and 9672 G5/G6 servers can operate in one of three
modes:
򐂰 A FICON channel in FICON Bridge (FCV ) mode allows access to ESCON control units
with ESCON interfaces by the channel connected to a FICON Bridge adapter in a 9032-5
ESCON Director. This mode is applicable only to the FICON LX features.
򐂰 A FICON channel in FICON native (FC ) mode allows access to FICON native interface
control units either directly by a FICON channel in FC mode (point-to-point), or from a
FICON channel in FC mode connected in series through one or two Fibre Channel
switches (FICON Directors). Channel-to-channel (FCTC) is also supported in this mode.