Mainframes stay the IT spine of numerous enterprises, powering mission-critical purposes and delivering unmatched efficiency and reliability, as lately 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 gadgets and AI/ML adoption, and market forces equivalent 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 essentially the most strong 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 absolutely certified for IBM® z17™—IBM’s new-generation mainframe system that locations AI on the heart of enterprise infrastructure. The MDS 9000 Collection, together with the versatile Cisco MDS 9148V swap, additionally has expanded fiber connection (FICON) capabilities, making it a top-tier answer for contemporary mainframe environments and delivering on the promise of 99.9999% availability.
Mainframe environments: Why storage networking is vital
IBM Z methods are mainframes recognized for his or her skill to deal with large 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 absolutely engineered for the AI age, unlocking expanded capabilities for enterprise-scale AI, equivalent to massive language fashions, generative AI, and accelerated inferencing. Nevertheless, 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 sturdy SAN material that helps these necessities is non-negotiable. An answer that mixes excessive throughput, low latency, and enterprise-class resilience is important 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 title in storage networking, and its suitability for mainframe environments is not any exception. Designed with high-performance SAN capabilities, the MDS 9000 Collection delivers unparalleled reliability, scalability, safety, and sustainability, making it an excellent alternative for contemporary enterprises.
A few of 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 simple adoption for combined FC/FICON environments. FICON Management Unit Port (CUP) and material binding at the moment are accessible within the base code and no license is required.
- Excessive bandwidth and low latency: With help for cutting-edge applied sciences equivalent to 64G Fibre Channel, the MDS 9000 Collection meets the demanding wants of mainframe workloads with quick, low-latency connectivity.
- Enterprise-class resilience: Redundant elements, 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 equivalent to quantum-resistant hardware-based encryption and safe boot and anti-counterfeit know-how assist be sure 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 software improves operational effectivity by proactively figuring out and predicting points equivalent to optics failures earlier than they impression 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 consists of enhanced safety, unmatched efficiency, and full integration with the FICON CUP for in-band administration of switching gadgets.
The z17 qualification exhibits how Cisco is dedicated to delivering storage networking options that preserve tempo with the evolving wants of mainframe prospects. Enterprise prospects may 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 methods. Furthermore, it demonstrates full funding safety for present MDS 9000 prospects by qualifying each 32G and 64G switching modules for IBM z17. This permits MDS 9000 customers to undertake IBM’s newest mainframe at 32G pace—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 equivalent to Cisco MDS 9220i expands mainframe environments throughout distant knowledge facilities.
Increasing FICON help: The Cisco MDS 9148V swap
Along with the MDS administrators, one other thrilling improvement is the FICON qualification of the MDS 9148V swap. This compact but highly effective swap is now formally acknowledged as FICON certified, bringing much more flexibility and choices to mainframe prospects.
The MDS 9148V swap is a perfect alternative for enterprises in search of an economical answer for smaller or distributed mainframe environments. Key options of the MDS 9148V swap embody:
- Scalability: With a variety from 24 and as much as 48 ports at 64G Fibre Channel, the MDS 9148V offers the mandatory room for development that small environments necessitate.
- Ease of deployment: A compact kind issue and power-optimized design make it straightforward to deploy the MDS 9148V swap in smaller knowledge facilities or for testing environments. A FICON setup wizard helps facilitate all required configuration steps.
- FICON compatibility: The MDS 9148V swap 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 mix of z17 qualification and expanded FICON help makes the MDS 9000 Collection a transparent alternative for enterprises looking for a best-in-class storage networking answer 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 alternative: From highly effective administrators to versatile switches just like the MDS 9148V and MDS 9220i, the MDS 9000 Collection gives 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 also be accessible.
- Confirmed monitor document: With 20+ years of expertise and a robust repute within the SAN market, Cisco is a trusted associate for mainframe storage networking.
Take the following 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 swap, Cisco options present the efficiency, reliability, and scalability you have to succeed. By selecting Cisco MDS 9000, you’re investing in a future-ready storage networking platform that may preserve your mainframe surroundings working easily for years to return.
Able to elevate your mainframe storage networking? Discover the Cisco MDS 9000 Collection immediately and unlock the complete potential of your mainframe surroundings.
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