In computing, a Parallel Sysplex is a cluster of IBM mainframes acting together in a single system image, usually with z/OS. In IBM Mainframe computers a Systems Complex, commonly called a Sysplex, is one or more (up to 32 LPARs System/390 processors joined into a IBM mainframes, though perceived as synonymous with Mainframe computers in general due to their marketshare are now technically and specifically IBM 's line of business z/OS is a 64-bit Operating system for Mainframe computers, created by IBM. A Parallel Sysplex combines data sharing (same disk under control of sharing structures in a Coupling Facility) and parallel computing to allow a cluster of up to 32 computers to share a workload for high performance and high availability. Parallel computing is a form of computation in which many instructions are carried out simultaneously operating on the principle that large problems can often High-performance computing (HPC uses Supercomputers and Computer clusters to solve advanced computing problems High availability is a System design protocol and associated implementation that ensures a certain absolute degree of operational continuity during a given measurement period Parallel Sysplex provides horizontal scaling. In Telecommunications and Software engineering, scalability is a desirable property of a system a network or a process which indicates its ability to either
The forerunner to Parallel Sysplex was Virtual Coupling, a technique which allowed up to 12 IBM 390 systems to execute jobs in parallel. The true Parallel Sysplex was introduced with then-new mainframe models in April 1994[1]. Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) IBM continues to improve and enhance Parallel Sysplex.
Major components of a Parallel Sysplex include:
- Coupling Facility (CF or ICF) hardware, allowing multiple processors to share, cache, update, and balance data access;
- Sysplex Timers or Server Time Protocol to synchronize the clocks of all member systems;
- High speed, high quality, redundant cabling;
- Software (operating system services and, usually, middleware such as DB2). In IBM Mainframe computers a Coupling Facility or CF is a piece of Computer hardware which allows multiple processors to access the same data An operating system (commonly abbreviated OS and O/S) is the software component of a Computer system that is responsible for the management and coordination Middleware is computer Software that connects Software components or applications DB2 is one of IBM 's families of Relational database management system (RDBMS (or as IBM now calls it data server software products within IBM's broader Information
The Coupling Facility may be either a dedicated external system (a small mainframe, such as a System z9 BC, specially configured with only coupling facility processors) or integral processors on the mainframes themselves configured as ICFs (Internal Coupling Facilities). IBM System z9 is a line of IBM mainframes. It was announced on July 25 2005 and the first models 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. However, with z/OS 1. z/OS is a 64-bit Operating system for Mainframe computers, created by IBM. 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.
Server Time Protocol (STP) replaced the Sysplex Timers beginning in 2005 for newer mainframe models. While the Sysplex Timers are physically separate machines, STP is an integral feature within the mainframe itself. With STP and ICFs it is now possible (and common) to construct a complete Parallel Sysplex installation solely with two mainframes and cabling. Moreover, a single mainframe can contain the internal equivalent of a complete physical Parallel Sysplex, so there is no technical requirement to have a multi-frame Parallel Sysplex at least for application testing and development purposes.
Parallel Sysplex enables another major capability: online maintenance. For example, with Parallel Sysplex it is possible (and common) to configure DB2 for z/OS to deliver continuous business service, permitting whole version upgrades and patches while DB2 continues to run and serve users.
See also
- Geographically Dispersed Parallel Sysplex
- LPAR
- IBM Tivoli System Automation
References
- ^ http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redbooks/pdfs/sg244356.pdf System/390 Parallel Sysplex Performance - IBM Redbook. Geographically Dispersed Parallel Sysplex ( GDPS) is a family of Business continuity and Disaster recovery solutions based on IBM Mainframe In Computing, a logical partition, commonly called an LPAR, is a subset of computer's hardware resources virtualized as a separate computer Retrieved 17-09-2007.
External links
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