IBM Parallel Sysplex: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 11:16, 21 October 2007

Revision as of 09:23, 14 November 2007

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* Software ([[operating system]] services and, usually, [[middleware]] such as [[IBM DB2|DB2]]).

The Coupling Facility may be either a dedicated external system (a small mainframe, such as a [[IBMSystem 9764z9]] BC, specially configured with only coupling facility processors) or integral processors on the mainframes themselves configured as ICFs (Internal Coupling Facilities). Both are popular — there are minor technical advantages and disadvantages between external CF and ICF installations. For achieving highest availability without unnecessary spending, IBM generally recommends combining a single external CF with an ICF. WithHowever, with [[z/OS]] 1.8 and higher an ICF-only implementation is quite viable.

A Parallel Sysplex has at least two CFs or ICFs for redundancy (or at least one of each). Every mainframe participating in a Parallel Sysplex does not need an ICF or its own external CF — mainframes merely attach, via cables, to the external CFs or ICFs.