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IBM System z10 I/O subsystem
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by E. W. Chencinski
M. A. Check
C. DeCusatis
H. Deng
M. Grassi
T. A. Gregg
M. M. Helms
A. D. Koenig
L. Mohr
K. Pandey
T. Schlipf
T. Schober
H. Ulrich
and C. R. Walters
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The performance, reliability, and functionality of a large server are
greatly influenced by the design characteristics of its I/O
subsystem. The critical components of the IBM System z10™ I/O
subsystem have, therefore, been significantly improved in terms of
performance, capability, and cost. The first-order network has been
redesigned from the long-evolved enhanced self-timed interface
(eSTI) links to utilize InfiniBand™ links. A redesign of the host
logic of I/O chips and the fiberoptic interfaces within the links
made it possible to introduce InfiniBand-based IBM Parallel
Sysplex® links. A broad range of legacy I/O channels have been
carried forward to connect through InfiniBand, and a foundation
has been laid for new channel types of improved functionality and
performance. The first such hardware channel to be introduced is
the next generation of Ethernet-virtualization data routers. A new
and methodical recovery structure has been designed to ensure
consistent, extensive support of reliability, availability, and
serviceability. A building-block-oriented design process has been
developed to enable the innovations that made these advances
possible. Finally, a new performance verification methodology has
been introduced to ensure that the system and subsystem designs
are balanced to make effective use of the increased capacity.
 Full paper
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