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Mainframes stay the IT spine of numerous enterprises, powering mission-critical functions and delivering unmatched efficiency and reliability, as just lately confirmed by an ITIC ballot. At the identical time, information volumes are steeply on the rise, in response to technical forces just like the proliferation of IoT units and AI/ML adoption, and market forces resembling elevated human-generated content material and investments into digitization initiatives. As information continues to develop and workloads turn out to be extra advanced with the proliferation of AI, even essentially the most sturdy mainframes can wrestle to maintain up. Efficient and high-performing storage networking options are important to satisfy the rising calls for.
The Cisco MDS 9000 Series (additionally manufactured by IBM as IBM C-Type) represents a game-changer for mainframe storage networking. It is absolutely certified for IBM® z17™—IBM’s new-generation mainframe system that locations AI on the heart of enterprise infrastructure. The MDS 9000 Series, 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 capability to deal with huge transaction volumes, help large-scale databases, and supply unmatched ranges of safety and uptime. The latest 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, resembling giant language fashions, generative AI, and accelerated inferencing. However, the efficiency of mainframe functions is determined by the underlying storage infrastructure.
Storage space networks (SANs) play a crucial function in guaranteeing quick, dependable, and safe entry to information. For mainframe environments, which leverage high-speed FICON protocol, having a strong SAN cloth that helps these necessities is non-negotiable. An answer that mixes excessive throughput, low latency, and enterprise-class resilience is significant to make sure seamless operations and meet stringent service-level settlement necessities.
The MDS 9000 Series: An ideal match for mainframe storage networking
The MDS 9000 Series has lengthy been a trusted title in storage networking, and its suitability for mainframe environments isn’t any exception. Designed with high-performance SAN capabilities, the MDS 9000 Series delivers unparalleled reliability, scalability, safety, and sustainability, making it a really perfect selection for contemporary enterprises.
Some of the standout options of the MDS 9000 Series for mainframe environments embody:
- Built-in FICON help: Selected MDS 9000 Series administrators and switches are FICON certified, which helps to make sure seamless integration and simple adoption for combined FC/FICON environments. FICON Control Unit Port (CUP) and cloth binding at the moment are accessible within the base code and no license is required.
- High bandwidth and low latency: With help for cutting-edge applied sciences resembling 64G Fibre Channel, the MDS 9000 Series 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 Series extremely dependable, which is crucial for mainframe operations that require near-zero downtime.
- Advanced safety: Features resembling quantum-resistant hardware-based encryption and safe boot and anti-counterfeit know-how assist be sure that delicate mainframe information stays protected always.
- AI/ML-powered administration capabilities: When built-in with the MDS 9000 Series, Cisco Nexus Dashboard graphical administration instrument improves operational effectivity by proactively figuring out and predicting points resembling optics failures earlier than they impression manufacturing workloads.
New milestone achieved: z17 qualification for MDS 9000
The MDS 9000 Series has achieved a major milestone by efficiently finishing the IBM z17 qualification testing. This qualification underscores the power of MDS 9000 Series to satisfy the rigorous calls for of contemporary mainframe environments. This contains enhanced safety, unmatched efficiency, and full integration with the FICON CUP for in-band administration of switching units.
The z17 qualification reveals how Cisco is dedicated to delivering storage networking options that preserve tempo with the evolving wants of mainframe prospects. Enterprise prospects could be assured in selecting the MDS 9000 Series as a result of it has been rigorously examined and validated for compatibility with IBM’s newest mainframe methods. Moreover, 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 velocity—no new {hardware} funding wanted—maximizing ROI and future-proofing their SAN.
With this qualification, Cisco solidifies its management within the storage networking area and offers mainframe customers the instruments they should optimize their storage networks for agility, scalability, reliability, and efficiency. In addition, the usage of FICON-qualified SAN extension options resembling Cisco MDS 9220i expands mainframe environments throughout distant information facilities.
Expanding FICON help: The Cisco MDS 9148V swap
In addition to 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 selection for enterprises in search of a cheap 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 supplies the mandatory room for progress that small environments necessitate.
- Ease of deployment: A compact kind issue and power-optimized design make it simple to deploy the MDS 9148V swap in smaller information 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 system.
Why select MDS 9000 for mainframe environments?
The mixture of z17 qualification and expanded FICON help makes the MDS 9000 Series a transparent selection 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 newest applied sciences and compatibility with IBM z17, the MDS 9000 Series is designed to deal with present and future workloads.
- Comprehensive selection: From highly effective administrators to versatile switches just like the MDS 9148V and MDS 9220i, the MDS 9000 Series provides options for organizations of all sizes.
- Simplified administration: Intuitive Cisco administration instruments make it simple to deploy, monitor, and optimize your storage community, leveraging wizards for multi-step operations. Full integration with the mainframe CUP protocol can be accessible.
- Proven observe file: With 20+ years of expertise and a powerful fame within the SAN market, Cisco is a trusted associate for mainframe storage networking.
Take the subsequent step in mainframe storage networking
Whether 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 might want to succeed. By selecting Cisco MDS 9000, you’re investing in a future-ready storage networking platform that may preserve your mainframe setting operating easily for years to return.
Ready to raise your mainframe storage networking? Explore the Cisco MDS 9000 Series in the present day and unlock the total potential of your mainframe setting.
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