With the IBM eServer z900, simulation methods and tools for verification of code that is to be embedded in the memory of the system (firmware) were introduced. Since that time, firmware developers have simulated their code prior to the availability of new system hardware components, thereby reducing the time required to bring a large computer system to market. With the z990 system, code simulation efficiency has been improved. The simulation coverage for host and service firmware has been increased from approximately 60% in the z900 to 85% in the z990 by introducing new concepts and extensions. For the first time, the central electronic complex (CEC) firmware simulator, CECSIM, has been enabled to run code in a logical partition (LPAR). This was a prerequisite for code verification of the intra-CEC connectivity, HiperSockets. For verification of HiperSockets, a Linux operating system is loaded into an LPAR. Code verification is accomplished more easily, more effectively, and with better coverage using Linux debugging features because of the ease of performing functional tests with Linux. Another major improvement was the connection of the channel code simulator for the networking I/O adapter OSA-Express to the CECSIM environment to provide a comprehensive verification that covers the entire path of firmware interaction between the CEC and the I/O channels. For the simulation of card control code, a combined software and hardware verification approach was introduced. The overall functionality was verified with a system simulation model, and the base hardware accesses were verified by attaching real hardware. In addition, the cage controller code was integrated into the simulation environment. As a result, the firmware interfaces between the support element (SE) and the cage controller as well as between the cage controller and the hardware have been tested.
The IBM 374x Communication Controllers, and the NCP (network control program) software that runs on them, have been at the center of the IBM SNA (Systems Network Architecture) for many years. However, the 374x hardware is no longer being produced. In order to continue to offer IBM customers various functions provided by the NCP product, IBM has developed a Communication Controller for Linuxt (CCL) for the IBM System ze. CCL is a software program that emulates the 374x hardware, enabling the NCP to function in Linux. IBM customers now have the ability to migrate their NCP product to a Linux partition on System z. The current NCP product, running on an IBM 374x Communication Controller, supports both host channel and network attachment. The channel protocol used for the host-channel support is referred to as channel data link control (CDLC). In order to provide the System z9e host operating systems with the ability to attach to the new CCL NCP over a channel interface, a new channel adapter is required. The new innovative Open Systems Adapter for NCP (OSN) channel support provided by the OSA-Express2 allows various operating systems on the same System z9 to attach ''internally'' to the CCL without using any external network or channel fabric.
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