Question & Answer
Question
Various functions have been added to z/OS Communications Server software to take advantage of features in the Open Systems Adapter (OSA) hardware. What are the minimum hardware and software levels required to take advantage of these functions?
Answer
The following sections list the features, along with the minimum recommended levels before using those features. To determine the current level for software, use SMP/E to query the status of the PTF in the Target zone. The following operator commands can also be used to view the level of a module listed in the PTF on an active system:
To determine the current level for the OSA hardware, use one of the following methods:
- Query the OSA hardware via the Hardware Master Console.
- Run a QUERY HOST report using the OSA/SF utility, if installed.
- DISPLAY NET,ID=osatrlename or DISPLAY NET,TRL,TRLE=osatrlename for an OSA that is active on this system. Note that the code level reported (on the resultant IST1716I message line) is four hex digits, interpret this as microcode level xx.xx.
- If OSAINFO is available (see below), a DISPLAY TCPIP,,OSAINFO,INTFNAME=osaname command for an OSA that is active on this system can be used. Note that the code level reported is four hex digits, interpret this as microcode level xx.xx.
Only processor models and z/OS releases that have any support for the feature are listed. All earlier models/releases have no support for the feature. Features listed are:
- Virtual LAN ID (Trunk Mode support)
- Segmentation Offload (Large Send)
- VLAN Registration
- Virtual MAC Address
- OSA-Express Network Traffic Analyzer (OSAENTA)
- Optimized Latency Mode
- OSAINFO Command
- Inbound Workload Queueing
- Inbound Workload Queueing for Enterprise Extender
- Segmentation Offload for IPv6
Virtual LAN ID
Many customer networks use VLANs to separate traffic for multiple subnets on the same physical LAN. Typical configurations assign the VLAN ID at the switch port, with the connected device/system unaware of this (ACCESS mode).
Use of this feature allows assignment of the VLAN ID to be used on the OSA side (with the switch set to TRUNK mode). This allows multiple stacks to share the same OSA port yet use different VLAN IDs.
z/OS Configuration
Minimum OSA Microcode Levels
- Processor ModelEC DriverOSA TypeEC StreamLIC Bundle
- MCL
Minimum OSA Code Levelz900 (2064)
z800 (2066)3GFExpressJ112044203203.33z990 (2084)
z890 (2086)
z9 - EC (2094)
z9 - BC (2096)
z10 - EC (2097)
z10 - BC (2098)
z196 (2817)
z114 (2818)
zEC12 (2827)
zBC12 (2828)
z13 (2458,2964)
z14 (3906)Supported at all levelsz/OS ReleaseRequired PTFRSUModule to Display1.6-1.7(none)1.80906EZBIFOUT1.90906EZBIFOUT1.10-1.12(none)1.13UI232081506EZBIFQDR2.1UI191111412EZBIFQDR2.2-2.3(none)
TCP Segmentation Offload
Segmentation Offload (also called Large Send) transfers the overhead of segmenting outbound data into individual TCP packets to the QDIO (Queued Direct I/O) attached OSA-Express device. Offloading segmentation of streaming type workloads reduces CPU utilization and increases throughput (see the Large Send Performance Summary document for comparison data).
z/OS Configuration
Minimum OSA Microcode Levels
Minimum z/OS Software Levels
-
- Specified via the SEGMENTATIONOFFLOAD keyword on the IPCONFIG statement (or the GLOBALCONFIG statement for z/OS 1.6-1.12).
Processor ModelEC DriverOSA TypeEC StreamLIC Bundle- MCL
Minimum OSA Code Levelz890 (2086)
z990 (2084)55KExpress2J1347612102300.2Cz9 - EC (2094)
z9 - BC (2096)63JUpgrade to Driver 67L67LExpress2G4094636A00708.81z10 - EC (2097)
z10 - BC (2098)73GExpress2F85892Upgrade to Driver 76DExpress3F858975401100.2176DExpress2N1095310B00103.03Express3N1095928B00607.3279FSupported at all levelsz196 (2817)
z114 (2818)86EExpress2N29787Supported at
all levels01.06Express3OSXN297620D.0COSDN2979200.0C93GExpress2N48153Supported at
all levels01.28Express3OSXN481300D.2EOSDN4815814a00700.53Express4SOSXN4812014a0060A.36OSDN4812114a0080C.1AzEC12 (2827)
zBC12 (2828)12KExpress3OSXH09138Supported at
all levels0D.63OSDH0916300.83Express4SOSXH091320A.62OSDH09133200040C.4A15FExpress3OSXH49530Supported at
all levels0D.90OSDH4955500.AFExpress4S
Express5SOSXH495240A.A6OSDH495250C.8Az13 (2458,2964)22HExpress4S
Express5SOSXN98806Supported at
all levels0B.0FOSDN9880507.0F27IOSXP084380B.68OSDP0843707.68z14 (3906)32LExpress4S
Express5SOSDP42626Supported at all levels20.76OSXP4262730.95Express6SOSDP4263101.75OSXP4263711.84-
- Note: All OSA Express 2, 3, 4S, 5S, and 6S devices will report that Segmentation Offload is supported, and software that has this feature enabled will attempt to use it. Any systems in this configuration using microcode levels before the ones listed are vulnerable to experiencing unrecoverable OSA failures affecting all LPARs sharing the CHPID, and a full recycle of the CHPID will be required to recover operation. Ensure that the NOSEGMENTATIONOFFLOAD keyword is specified on the IPCONFIG statement (or the GLOBALCONFIG statement for z/OS 1.12 or before) until all OSAs are at the minimum required level.
z/OS ReleaseRequired PTFRSUModule to Display1.6UA181160509ISTINM01UK093730601EZBIFOUTUK102780602EZBTCSNDUK127700609EZBTCRDEUK227320704(Not Available)UK279250709EZBITINI1.7UK093730601EZBIFOUTUK102790602EZBTCSNDUK209650706EZBTCRDEUK227330704(Not Available)UK279260709EZBITINI1.80806EZBTCRD0812EZBTCRDE1.90806EZBTCRD0812EZBTCRDE1.100812EZBTCRDE1.11-1.13(none)2.11312EZBIFINDTBDEZBIFOUT2.2TBDEZBIFOUT2.3TBDEZBIFOUT
VLAN Registration
When specifying a VLANID for an OSA, the connected switch port has to be configured for Trunk mode. This will cause Ethernet frames for all VLANs to be forwarded to the OSA, and it has to filter out those that are not applicable.
Using this feature allows the list of VLANIDs that are being used by this OSA to be forwarded to the switch using the GVRP1 protocol. The switch will then only forward frames with those VLANIDs.
- 1 Generic Attribute Registration Protocol (GARP) VLAN Registration Protocol (IEEE 802.1q)
z/OS Configuration
Minimum OSA Microcode Levels
Processor ModelEC DriverOSA TypeEC StreamLIC Bundle- MCL
Minimum OSA Code Levelz9 - EC (2094)
z9 - BC (2096)63JExpress2J99667Base or above07.0567LExpress2G4094608.79z10 - EC (2097)
z10 - BC (2098)73GSupported at all levels76DExpress2 N1095310b00203.05Express3 N1095918a00207.0979FSupported at all levelsz196 (2817)
z114 (2818)
zEC12 (2827)
zBC12 (2828)
z13 (2458,2964)
z14 (3906)Supported at all levelsMinimum z/OS Software Levels
z/OS ReleaseRequired PTFRSUModule to Display1.7UK061290512EZBIFIOCUK061300512(Not Available)1.8-2.3(none)
Virtual MAC
This feature allows for the specification of a unique MAC address to be used in the Ethernet frames of all traffic associated with this stack's interface. When enabled, it eliminates the need for specification of PRI/SEC/NONROUTER as inbound traffic will be routed to the appropriate stack by the MAC used. This can also be used as an alternative to the single Locally Assigned MAC for an OSA.
z/OS Configuration
Minimum OSA Microcode Levels
- Processor ModelEC DriverOSA TypeEC StreamLIC BundleMCLMinimum OSA Code Levelz9 - EC (2094)
z9 - BC (2096)
z10 - EC (2097)
z10 - BC (2098)
z196 (2817)
z114 (2818)
zEC12 (2827)
zBC12 (2828)
z13 (2458,2964)
z14 (3906)Supported at all levelsz/OS ReleaseRequired PTFRSUModule to Display1.80709EZBIFIND1.9-1.11(none)1.121209EZBIFIND1.131403EZBIFIND2.11312ISTTSCIC1609EZBIFIND2.21609EZBIFIND2.3(none)
OSA-Express Network Traffic Analysis
This feature allows tracing of all traffic processed by the OSA, including ARP packets and discarded traffic that does not get presented to the system (and thus would not show up in a conventional packet trace).
z/OS Configuration
Minimum OSA Microcode Levels
-
-
- Ensure that there is at least one (normally) unused device address specified in the DATAPATH keyword on the OSA port's TRLE statement (use a DISPLAY NET,TRL,TRLE=osatrlename command to verify).
- OSA network traffic analysis is enabled with either the OSAENTA statement (useful to see traffic at OSA startup) or via the VARY TCPIP,,OSAENTA command.
Processor ModelEC DriverOSA TypeEC StreamLIC BundleMCLMinimum OSA Code Levelz9 - EC (2094)
z9 - BC (2096)63JUpgrade to Driver 67L67LExpress2G409460600208.79z10 - EC (2097)
z10 - BC (2098)
z196 (2817)
z114 (2818)
zEC12 (2827)
zBC12 (2828)
z13 (2458,2964)
z14 (3906)Supported at all levelsz/OS ReleaseRequired PTFRSUModule to Display1.8UA273220612ISTITCOD0708EZBITMST0812(Not Available)1.90812(Not Available)1.100812(Not Available)1.11(none)1.121209(Not Available)1.131209(Not Available)2.1UI228061503(Not Available)2.1-2.3(none) -
Optimized Latency Mode
This feature may be useful for systems that have mostly interactive workloads, reducing the average latency by having the OSA signal the software sooner after the arrival of individual packets. See the IP Configuration Guide section for more information.
z/OS Configuration
Minimum OSA Microcode Levels
Minimum z/OS Software Levels
-
- Specified via the OLM keyword on the INTERFACE statement for the OSA.
Processor ModelEC DriverOSA TypeEC StreamLIC Bundle- MCL
Minimum OSA Code Levelz10 - EC (2097)
z10 - BC (2098)76DExpress3N1095935a00707.3376FExpress3N2439843a00407.63z196 (2817)
z114 (2818)86EExpress3OSXN29762Base or Above0D.0COSMN2976309.09OSDN297924600500.1193GExpress3OSXN48130Base or Above0D.2EOSMN4813109.31OSDN4815800.4DExpress4SOSMN48119Base or Above??.??OSXN481200A.2FOSDN481210C.12zEC12 (2827)
zBC12 (2828)12KSupported at all levels15FExpress3OSXH49530Base or Above0D.90OSMH4953109.8DOSDH4955534a00700.B8Express4S
Express5SOSXH4952434a0120A.B1OSMH49523Base or Above0B.E7OSDH4952534a0120C.96z13 (2458,2964)
z14 (3906)Supported at all levels
z/OS ReleaseRequired PTFRSUModule to Display1.10UA616171112ISTLLCRB1.11UA491720912ISTLLCADUA616181112ISTLLCRB0912EZBIFIND1.12UA548711009ISTLLCIEUK581351009EZBIFINB1.131609EZBIFBP12.1UI311181603EZBIFOUT2.2UI311191603EZBIFOUT2.3(none)
OSA Information Display
This feature allows several aspects of the current OSA.hardware configuration to be displayed by an operator command (DISPLAY TCPIP,,OSAINFO) instead of using the OSA/SF utility or the Hardware Master Console.
z/OS Configuration
Minimum OSA Microcode Levels
-
- No configuration actions needed.
Processor ModelEC DriverOSA TypeEC StreamLIC Bundle- MCL
Minimum OSA Code Levelz10 - EC (2097)
z10 - BC (2098)76DUpgrade to Driver 79F79FExpress3N243987301107.6Cz196 (2817)
z114 (2818)86EExpress3OSXN29762Base or Above0D.0COSMN2976309.09OSDN2979256a00900.1693GExpress3OSXN48130Base or Above0D.2EOSMN4813109.31OSDN4815814a00700.53Express4SOSMN48119Base or Above??.??OSXN481200A.2FOSDN481210C.12zEC12 (2827)
zBC12 (2828)12KSupported at all levels15FExpress3OSXH49530Base or Above0D.90OSMH4953112a00409.92OSDH49555Base or Above00.AFExpress4S
Express5SOSMH4952312a0060B.EBOSXH49524Base or Above0A.A6OSDH495250C.8Az13 (2458,2964)
z14 (3906)Supported at all levelsz/OS ReleaseRequired PTFRSUModule to Display1.121106(Not Available)1212EZBIFDOB1.13UI140611406EZBIFDOB2.11706(Not Available)1807EZBIFDOB2.21706(Not Available)1807EZBIFDOB2.31807EZBIFDOB
Inbound Workload Queueing
The IWQ feature enables the use of separate queues (sets of buffers) for traffic inbound through an OSA for streaming (such as FTP), Sysplex Distributor. and all other traffic. This may result in better throughput and reduced network latencies, see the OSA Express3 Inbound Workload Queueing performance study for details.
NOTE: Enabling IWQ will triple to quadruple the minimum amount of Fixed CSM storage from the 4K pool needed to start each OSA. For default settings, it will go from 4M to 12-16M for each OSA interface defined.
z/OS Configuration
Minimum OSA Microcode Levels
-
- Specified via the INBPERF DYNAMIC WORKLOADQ keywords on the INTERFACE statement for the OSA. Having VMAC enabled is a prerequisite for this function. This is the default for OSX CHPIDs.
Processor ModelEC DriverOSA TypeEC StreamLIC Bundle- MCL
Minimum OSA Code Levelz10 - EC (2097)
z10 - BC (2098)76DUpgrade to Driver 79F79FExpress3N2439836c00307.62z196 (2817)
z114 (2818)86EExpress3 OSXN29762Base or above0D.0COSDN297921900200.0D93GExpress3 OSXN4813058a 014 0D.44OSDN4815884a02000.67Express4S OSXN4812058a 016 0A.48OSDN4812158a0180C.2AzEC12 (2827)
zBC12 (2828)12KExpress3OSXH0913839a0060D.6BOSDH0916339a00600.8CExpress4SOSXH0913239a0060A.6BOSDH0913339a0070C.4C15FExpress3OSXH49530Base or above0D.90OSDH4955500.AFExpress4S
Express5SOSXH495240A.A6OSDH495250C.8Az13 (2458,2964)22HExpress4S
Express5SOSXN98806Base or above0B.0FOSDN9880507.0F27IOSXP084380B.68OSDP0843707.68z14 (3906)32LExpress4S
Express5SOSDP42626Base or above20.76OSXP4262730.95Express6SOSDP4263101.75OSXP4263711.84-
- Note: For systems using z/OS 1.13 and above with OSA Express4S, 5S, or 6S devices, see IWQ for EE and IWQ for IPSec as well.
z/OS ReleaseRequired PTFRSUModule to Display1.12UA671231303ISTLLCM8UK663101109EZBTCRD1.131403EZBIFINDUI134871403EZBIPINB2.1UI138091406EZBIPINB1809EZBIFIND2.21709EZBTCSND1809EZBIFIND2.31809EZBIFIND
IWQ for Enterprise Extender
- This feature extends IWQ to add another queue for EE traffic. This may result in further improvements in throughput and latencies for EE traffic.
z/OS Configuration
- If running z/OS 1.13 (or above), VTAM has EE configured, IWQ is enabled as above, and OSA Express4S, 5S, or 6S devices are being used, then the additional queue will automatically be added.
Minimum OSA Microcode Levels
Processor ModelEC DriverOSA TypeEC StreamLIC Bundle- MCL
Minimum OSA Code Levelz196 (2817)
z114 (2818)86EUpgrade to Driver 93G93GExpress4S OSXN4812052a0130A.45OSDN4812152a0160C.27zEC12 (2827)
zBC12 (2828)12KExpress4S OSXH09132200050A.69OSDH09133200050C.4AD15FExpress4S
Express5SOSXH49524Base or above0A.A6OSDH495250C.8Az13 (2458,2964)22HExpress4S
Express5SOSXN98806Base or above0B.0FOSDN9880507.0F27IOSXP084380B.68OSDP0843707.68z14 (3906)32LExpress4S
Express5SOSDP42626Base or above20.76OSXP4262730.95Express6SOSDP4263101.75OSXP4263711.84-
- Note: All OSA Express4S, 5S, and 6S devices will report that IWQ for EE is supported, and software that has this feature enabled will attempt to use it. Any systems in this configuration using microcode levels before the ones listed will likely cause a Channel Detected error during OSA initialization. Ensure that the NOWORKLOADQ keyword is specified on the INTERFACE statement until the associated OSA is at the minimum required level.
Minimum z/OS Software Levels
z/OS ReleaseRequired PTFRSUModule to Display1.13-2.1(none)2.21509ISTLLCWTTBDEZBIDSTR2.3TBDEZBIDSTR
TCP Segmentation Offload for IPv6
This feature enables the use of the Segmentation Offload feature for IPv6 traffic in addition to the earlier capability formerly only available for IPv4 traffic.
z/OS Configuration
Minimum OSA Microcode Levels
-
- Specified via the SEGMENTATIONOFFLOAD keyword on the IPCONFIG6 statement.
Processor ModelEC DriverOSA TypeEC StreamLIC BundleMCLMinimum OSA Code Levelz196 (2817)
z114 (2818)86EUpgrade to Driver 93G93GExpress4SOSXN4812014a0060A.36OSDN4812114a0080C.1AzEC12 (2827)
zBC12 (2828)12KExpress4SOSXH09132Base or above0A.62OSDH091330C.43D15FExpress4S
Express5SOSXH495240A.A6OSDH495250C.8Az13 (2458,2964)22HExpress4S
Express5SOSXN98806Base or above0B.0FOSDN9880507.0F27IOSXP084380B.68OSDP0843707.68z14 (3906)32LExpress4S
Express5SOSDP42626Base or above20.76OSXP4262730.95Express6SOSDP4263101.75OSXP4263711.84
- z/OS ReleaseRequired PTFRSUModule to DisplayOSA/SF1203(none)1.13-2.3(none)
Minimum z/OS Software Levels
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Document Information
Modified date:
10 April 2019
UID
swg21232599