Chapter 27. Introduction to Parallel Sysplex


In 1990, IBM announced the sysplex as the strategic direction for large systems computing environments, described as "a collection of z/OS systems that cooperate, using certain hardware and software products, to process work." The term sysplex is derived from the words SYStems comPLEX. At the time of this first announcement, and for several years thereafter, there was no Parallel Sysplexonly a base sysplex. The base sysplex provided improvements in interprocessor communications between systems and any subsystems that wanted to exploit those services, but no data-sharing services.

The Parallel Sysplex was introduced later in the 1990s and added hardware and software components to provide for sysplex data sharing. In this context, data sharing means the ability for sysplex member systems and subsystems to store data into, and retrieve data from, a common area. In short, a Parallel Sysplex can have multiple central processor complexes (CPCs) and multiple applications (like IMS) that can directly share the workload.

Although the Parallel Sysplex environment is complex, it basically consists of three elements:

  • Two z/OS components: cross-system coupling facility (XCF) and cross-system extended services (XES)

  • One hardware component called the coupling facility (CF)

Since IMS Version 5, each release of IMS has added more features that are based on Parallel Sysplex technology. Most of these features are discussed in the following sections of this chapter:

  • Data sharing

  • Shared queues

  • VTAM Generic Resources

  • VTAM multinode persistent sessions

  • Automatic restart management

  • Sysplex communications

  • Operations Manager and single point of control

  • Resource Manager and sysplex terminal management

  • Coordinated global online change

  • Automatic RECON loss notification

In this book, the term sysplex is synonymous with Parallel Sysplex.

Related Reading:

  • For a further discussion of IMS in a sysplex environment, see Chapter 28, "IMSplexes," on page 495 and IMS Version 9: Administration Guide: System.

  • For a detailed discussion of IMS in a sysplex environment, see:

    - The IBM Redbook IMS in the Parallel Sysplex: Volume I: Reviewing the IMSplex Technology

    - The IBM Redbook IMS in the Parallel Sysplex: Volume II: Planning the IMSplex

    - The IBM Redbook IMS in the Parallel Sysplex: Volume III: IMSplex Implementation and Operations

In This Chapter:

  • "Goals of a Sysplex Environment"

  • "IMS and the Sysplex Environment" on page 469

  • "Other Advantages of Running IMS TM in a Sysplex Environment" on page 485



Introduction to IMS. Your Complete Guide to IBM's Information Management System
An Introduction to IMS: Your Complete Guide to IBMs Information Management System
ISBN: 0131856715
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 226

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