MDS 9000 expands FICON help in SAN storage for mainframes

Mainframes stay the IT spine of numerous enterprises, powering mission-critical purposes and delivering unmatched efficiency and reliability, as not too long ago confirmed by an ITIC ballot. On the identical time, knowledge volumes are steeply on the rise, in response to technical forces just like the proliferation of IoT units and AI/ML adoption, and market forces comparable to elevated human-generated content material and investments into digitization initiatives. As knowledge continues to develop and workloads change into extra complicated with the proliferation of AI, even probably the most sturdy mainframes can wrestle to maintain up. Environment friendly and high-performing storage networking options are important to satisfy the rising calls for.

The Cisco MDS 9000 Collection (additionally manufactured by IBM as IBM C-Kind) represents a game-changer for mainframe storage networking. It’s totally certified for IBM® z17™—IBM’s new-generation mainframe system that locations AI on the middle of enterprise infrastructure. The MDS 9000 Collection, together with the versatile Cisco MDS 9148V change, additionally has expanded fiber connection (FICON) capabilities, making it a top-tier resolution for contemporary mainframe environments and delivering on the promise of 99.9999% availability.

Mainframe environments: Why storage networking is essential

IBM Z techniques are mainframes recognized for his or her capacity to deal with huge transaction volumes, help large-scale databases, and supply unmatched ranges of safety and uptime. The most recent within the IBM Z system household, IBM z17 is the primary mainframe totally engineered for the AI age, unlocking expanded capabilities for enterprise-scale AI, comparable to giant language fashions, generative AI, and accelerated inferencing. Nonetheless, the efficiency of mainframe purposes depends upon the underlying storage infrastructure.

Storage space networks (SANs) play a essential position in making certain quick, dependable, and safe entry to knowledge. For mainframe environments, which leverage high-speed FICON protocol, having a strong SAN material that helps these necessities is non-negotiable. An answer that mixes excessive throughput, low latency, and enterprise-class resilience is significant to make sure seamless operations and meet stringent service-level settlement necessities.

The MDS 9000 Collection: An ideal match for mainframe storage networking

The MDS 9000 Collection has lengthy been a trusted identify in storage networking, and its suitability for mainframe environments isn’t any exception. Designed with high-performance SAN capabilities, the MDS 9000 Collection delivers unparalleled reliability, scalability, safety, and sustainability, making it a great selection for contemporary enterprises.

Among the standout options of the MDS 9000 Collection for mainframe environments embody:

Constructed-in FICON help: Chosen MDS 9000 Collection administrators and switches are FICON certified, which helps to make sure seamless integration and straightforward adoption for blended FC/FICON environments. FICON Management Unit Port (CUP) and material binding are actually obtainable within the base code and no license is required.
Excessive bandwidth and low latency: With help for cutting-edge applied sciences comparable to 64G Fibre Channel, the MDS 9000 Collection meets the demanding wants of mainframe workloads with quick, low-latency connectivity.
Enterprise-class resilience: Redundant parts, fault-tolerant structure, and superior diagnostics make the MDS 9000 Collection extremely dependable, which is essential for mainframe operations that require near-zero downtime.
Superior safety: Options comparable to quantum-resistant hardware-based encryption and safe boot and anti-counterfeit know-how assist be certain that delicate mainframe knowledge stays protected always.
AI/ML-powered administration capabilities: When built-in with the MDS 9000 Collection, Cisco Nexus Dashboard graphical administration instrument improves operational effectivity by proactively figuring out and predicting points comparable to optics failures earlier than they affect manufacturing workloads.

New milestone achieved: z17 qualification for MDS 9000

The MDS 9000 Collection has achieved a big milestone by efficiently finishing the IBM z17 qualification testing. This qualification underscores the power of MDS 9000 Collection to satisfy the rigorous calls for of recent mainframe environments. This contains enhanced safety, unmatched efficiency, and full integration with the FICON CUP for in-band administration of switching units.

The z17 qualification reveals how Cisco is dedicated to delivering storage networking options that preserve tempo with the evolving wants of mainframe clients. Enterprise clients might be assured in selecting the MDS 9000 Collection as a result of it has been rigorously examined and validated for compatibility with IBM’s newest mainframe techniques. Furthermore, it demonstrates full funding safety for current MDS 9000 clients by qualifying each 32G and 64G switching modules for IBM z17. This allows MDS 9000 customers to undertake IBM’s newest mainframe at 32G velocity—no new {hardware} funding wanted—maximizing ROI and future-proofing their SAN.

With this qualification, Cisco solidifies its management within the storage networking house and provides mainframe customers the instruments they should optimize their storage networks for agility, scalability, reliability, and efficiency. As well as, using FICON-qualified SAN extension options comparable to Cisco MDS 9220i expands mainframe environments throughout distant knowledge facilities.

Collection of zSystem FICON-qualified Cisco solutions, including fabric switch, SAN extension switch, transceivers, management GUI, and mission-critical directors — zSystem FICON-qualified Cisco options

Increasing FICON help: The Cisco MDS 9148V change

Along with the MDS administrators, one other thrilling improvement is the FICON qualification of the MDS 9148V change. This compact but highly effective change is now formally acknowledged as FICON certified, bringing much more flexibility and choices to mainframe clients.

The MDS 9148V change is a perfect selection for enterprises searching for an economical resolution for smaller or distributed mainframe environments. Key options of the MDS 9148V change embody:

Scalability: With a variety from 24 and as much as 48 ports at 64G Fibre Channel, the MDS 9148V gives the required room for development that small environments necessitate.
Ease of deployment: A compact type issue and power-optimized design make it straightforward to deploy the MDS 9148V change in smaller knowledge facilities or for testing environments. A FICON setup wizard helps facilitate all required configuration steps.
FICON compatibility: The MDS 9148V change ensures seamless integration into mainframe environments, leveraging VSAN know-how for mixing mainframe and Open System options on a single high-performance machine.

Why select MDS 9000 for mainframe environments?

The mixture of z17 qualification and expanded FICON help makes the MDS 9000 Collection a transparent selection for enterprises searching for a best-in-class storage networking resolution for his or her mainframe environments. Key advantages embody:

Future-readiness: With help for the most recent applied sciences and compatibility with IBM z17, the MDS 9000 Collection is designed to deal with present and future workloads.
Complete selection: From highly effective administrators to versatile switches just like the MDS 9148V and MDS 9220i, the MDS 9000 Collection presents options for organizations of all sizes.
Simplified administration: Intuitive Cisco administration instruments make it straightforward to deploy, monitor, and optimize your storage community, leveraging wizards for multi-step operations. Full integration with the mainframe CUP protocol can be obtainable.
Confirmed observe report: With 20+ years of expertise and a robust popularity within the SAN market, Cisco is a trusted associate for mainframe storage networking.

Take the subsequent step in mainframe storage networking

Whether or not you’re deploying a large-scale storage community with MDS administrators or leveraging the compact and cost-effective MDS 9148V change, Cisco options present the efficiency, reliability, and scalability it’s worthwhile to succeed. By selecting Cisco MDS 9000, you’re investing in a future-ready storage networking platform that may preserve your mainframe surroundings operating easily for years to come back.

Able to elevate your mainframe storage networking? Discover the Cisco MDS 9000 Collection at the moment and unlock the total potential of your mainframe surroundings.