FICON over IP Translation for Mainframe Storage Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face challenges in conveying Fibre Connection (FICON) information units over Internet Protocol (IP) networks, limiting the ability to access mainframe storage systems efficiently and expensively, especially for remote locations.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that enable a host processor to write FICON information units to a transport layer and transmit them over an IP network, allowing FICON semantics to be defined over an IP connection, thereby enabling direct access to CKD storage volumes from various locations using IP networks, which are less expensive than FICON networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If FICON networks are used to access mainframe storage systems, then reliability and data integrity are improved, but cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer that translates FICON information units into IP packets. This mediator enables communication over standard IP networks while maintaining FICON protocol semantics, thereby reducing network complexity and cost while preserving reliability through protocol translation and error handling mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the network protocol parameter from proprietary FICON to standard IP. By translating FICON information units into IP packets and back, the system maintains data integrity while allowing operation over common IP infrastructure, thus reducing device complexity without sacrificing reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If FICON networks are deployed for remote access to storage systems, then data access capability is improved, but infrastructure cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the storage system accessible through universal IP networks in addition to traditional FICON networks. By implementing translation capabilities on both host and storage controller sides, the system gains multi-functionality, allowing remote access via common IP infrastructure rather than requiring dedicated FICON network infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
Translation intermediaries at both ends of the communication path enable FICON information units to traverse IP networks. This intermediary mechanism allows remote access capability to be extended to standard IP networks, eliminating the need for expensive dedicated FICON infrastructure while maintaining adaptability
3Adaptability or versatility
If FICON information units are transmitted over IP networks, then connectivity and accessibility are improved, but protocol compatibility challenges arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs translation intermediaries that convert FICON information units into IP packets for transmission and back to FICON format at the destination. This intermediary approach enables protocol compatibility between FICON and IP networks, allowing diverse network connectivity while managing translation complexity through standardized translation routines
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes protocol parameters by translating between FICON and IP formats. This parameter transformation enables compatibility between different protocol families, allowing FICON information units to be transmitted over IP networks while maintaining protocol integrity through translation layers
Data Source
AI summary
A Fiber Connection (FICON) information unit is received by a host processor executing a host internet protocol (IP) software library. The FICON information unit is written to a transport layer. Data including the FICON information unit is then transmitted to a storage control unit over an IP network.