625 All Aboard the Network Express
Project and Program:
Communications Server
Tags:
Proceedings,
2025,
SHARE Cleveland 2025
The IBM z17 has undergone a transformation with an entirely new System I/O
hardware and architecture model for both storage and networking. The z17 offers
I/O capability that is integrated directly within the Z processor complex. The
new system design moves I/O operations closer to the system processor and
memory. This new design approach transforms I/O operations allowing Z workloads
to grow and scale to meet the growing needs of current and future IBM Hybrid
Cloud Enterprise workloads. This presentation will focus on the networking I/O
transformation by introducing you to the new IBM z17 Network Express feature.
The Network Express feature introduces new system architecture called Enhanced
QDIO (EQDIO). EQDIO allows the updated z/OS Communications Server software to
interact with the Network Express hardware using new optimized I/O operations.
The new design and optimizations are required to meet the demand of the
continuously growing I/O rates. Network Express and EQDIO build the foundation
for the introduction of advanced Ethernet and networking capabilities for the
future of IBM Z Hybrid Cloud Enterprise users. The Network Express feature also
combines the functionality of both the OSA-Express and RoCE Express features
into a single feature or adapter. A single Network Express port supports both IP
protocols and RDMA protocols. This allows each Network Express port to function
as both a standard NIC for Ethernet and as an RDMA capable NIC (RNIC) for RoCE
protocols. Converging both protocols to a single adapter reduces Z customers’
cost for physical networking resources. With this change, IBM Z customers can
now exploit Shared Memory Communications (SMC) leveraging RDMA (SMC-R)
technology without incurring additional hardware costs In this session, the
presenters will focus on how z/OS Communications Server has been updated to
support the Network Express feature. An introduction to the new Enhanced QDIO
Ethernet (EQENET) interface statement used to configure the new OSA is provided.
EQDIO provides a variety of simplifications, such as no longer requiring VTAM
user defined TRLEs, uses smarter defaults and removes outdated parameters. The
speakers will also cover migration considerations for Network Express. In
addition, the operational aspects of managing and monitoring the new OSA and
RoCE interfaces will be covered. The speakers will also take you through the
enhancements made to optimize both inbound and outbound network traffic. Come
join us, step aboard and learn how z/OS Communications Server is bringing you
the future in network communications with the IBM z17 Network Express feature.
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