IBM TotalStorage DS6000 Series - Manual (Page 250)

226 DS6000 Series: Concepts and Architecture
This just outlines the physical structure. A virtualization approach built on top of the high
performance architecture contributes even further to enhanced performance. For details see
Chapter 4, “Virtualization concepts” on page 65.
11.3.2 Fibre Channel device adapter
The DS6000 still relies on eight DDMs to form a RAID-5 or a RAID-10 array. With the
virtualization approach and the concept of extents, the DAs are mapping the virtualization
level over the disk subsystem back end. For more details on the disk subsystem virtualization
refer to Chapter 4, “Virtualization concepts” on page 65.
Figure 11-4 Fibre Channel device adapter with 2 Gbps ports
The new RAID device adapter chipset connects to four 2 Gbps Fibre Channel ports and high
function, high performance ASICs. Each port provides up to five times the throughput of a
previous SSA-based DA port.
Note that each DA chipset performs the RAID logic and frees up the processors from this
task. The actual throughput and performance of a DA is not only determined by the 2 Gbps
ports and used hardware, but also by the firmware efficiency.
11.3.3 New four-port host adapters
Before looking into the server complex we briefly review the new host adapters and their
enhancements to address performance. Figure 11-5 on page 227 depicts the new host
adapters. These adapters are designed to hold four Fibre Channel ports, which can be
configured to support either FCP or FICON.
Each port continues the tradition of providing industry-leading throughput and I/O rates for
FICON and FCP.
Note that a FICON channel can address up to 16,384 devices through a FICON port. The
DS6000 series can hold up to 8,192 devices. So all devices within a DS6000 series can be
reached through a FICON port. Whether this is desirable is a different question and is
discussed further in “Configuration recommendations for z/OS” on page 237.
Processor
Adapter Adapter
Adapter Adapter
To host servers
Storage
se
rv
er Memory Processor
chipset
Power PC
chipset
Host adapter
memory
Processor
Persistent
Volatile
2 Gbps Fibre Channel ports
chipset
Device adapter
Card 1
Controller