The IBM TotalStorage Enterprise Tape Controller 3590 Model A50 is a controller designed for attaching the IBM TotalStorage Enterprise Tape Drive 3590 Models B11 and B1A to ESCON channels on ES/3090, ES/9000, or S/390 systems. It can be installed in an IBM TotalStorage Enterprise Automated Tape Library 3494, an IBM TotalStorage Enterprise Tape Drive Frame 3590 Model A14, an IBM TotalStorage Silo Compatible Tape Drive Frame 3590 Model C14, or standard 19" rack (such as the IBM 9309 Rack Enclosure Model 002). It can also be attached as a free-standing unit to an IBM TotalStorage Silo Compatible Tape Drive Frame 3590 Model C12. Its performance is roughly double what was achieved in the predecessor IBM TotalStorage Enterprise Tape Controller 3590 Model A00.

The Enterprise Tape Controller 3590 Model A50 improves 3590 tape subsystem performance by incorporating IBM Seascape architecture. This architecture combines powerful, proven, building blocks such as RS/6000, AIX, and PCI bus architecture in a single control unit. Seascape's building block approach enables the quick development cycles required to respond to the marketplace in an agile way. The Model A50 exemplifies this in how quickly it has been brought to market with performance characteristics which remove bottlenecks typically found in tape subsystems.

Utilizing the IBM Seascape building block approach further, the Model A50 can be flexibly configured with one or two ESCON paths via adapter cards. There is room for growth, too. Expansion card slots position the customer to scale up or down to address ever changing business requirements with a customer focused 3590 storage solution.

Finally, the Model A50 can coexist with its predecessor Model A00 Controller. This provides investment protection for Model A00 investors, and enables an easy migration path to upgrade to the performance levels provided by Model A50. The Enterprise Tape System 3590 demonstrates IBM's continued commitment to providing advanced tape solutions to meet the growing demands of the enterprise.

Model A50 Controller

The 3590 Model A50 Controller provides a high-performance ESCON attachment of the 3590 Tape Drive to ES/3090, ES/9000, and S/390 systems enabling:

• Improved system throughput
• Increased capacity
• Investment protection
• Reduced overall cost of storage
• Increased maximum channel distance
• Improved data integrity
• Scalability for future growth
• Enterprise Tape Library 3494 ESCON attachment
• 3590 ESCON attachment in a StorageTek Automated Cartridge System (ACS)

The Enterprise Tape System 3590 provides a tape drive data rate of up to 14 MB/second, a capacity of 10 GB or 20GB (uncompressed) per cartridge, and higher data integrity than 3480 products. The Model A50 provides a single data transfer path with one or two ESCON channel adapters each with up to 64 logical channels and has a maximum channel distance of 43 Km. It supports multiple logical paths per MVS image. Feature #3311, a required feature, provides the first ESCON channel adapter and feature #3312, an optional feature, provides the second ESCON channel adapter for increased configurability. The ESCON adapter has an instantaneous data rate of 17 MB/sec. The Model A50 is capable of achieving unconstrained data transfer through the ESCON channel. Performance varies with application and configuration used, but in general, performance should roughly double what was achieved in the predecessor Model A00 Controller.

The 3590 Model A50 provides configuration flexibility to tailor a 3590 solution to specific customer requirements. One or two ESCON adapters can be installed and up to two separate controllers can be placed in some 3590 subsystem solutions. The Model A50 can be featured to present attached 3590 tape drives as either native 3590 or emulated 3490E devices.

The Model A50 Controller has remote support capabilities. Features 2710 - 2712 enable quick diagnostics, problem determination and verification, and a means to upgrade 3590 microcode from remote sites via modem. IBM supplies the modem to enable remote support.

The "Call Home" function automatically opens a service alert when a problem occurs with the 3590 Model A60 or A50 Controller. A service representative can be sent to the installation and status information can be transmitted to the Support Center for problem evaluation. In addition, "Call Home" allows these alerts to be sent to a pager service so that multiple people, including the customer, can be notified. This function is implemented with no new hardware, utilizing the Remote Support Features #2710, #2711, or #2712 already installed. The service representative can activate this function at the installation of the 3590 Model A60 or A50, and service menus can be used to activate or deactivate this function.

"Call Home" is supported on the 3590 Model A60 and A50 in stand-alone, Silo, and 3494 solutions. As an added benefit, in the 3494 environment, you can initiate the "Call Home" process via the 3494 library manager operator panel.

The 3590 Model A50 is a re-usable storage asset which can be placed in multiple 3590 storage solutions. The 3590 A14 Frame with an integrated 3590 Model A50 provides a frame attachment of up to four 3590 Model B11 or E11 Tape Drives, with their 10-cartridge Automatic Cartridge Facility for operator usage. The 3590 A50 can also be integrated in a 3494 Model L14 or D14 to automate up to four 3590 Model B1A or E1A Tape Drives. A 3494 can be configured with up to sixteen 3590 Model A50 Controllers and 62 3590 Model B1A or E1A Tape Drives.

Model Description 3590-A50

The 3590 Model A50 is a controller for attaching 3590 Tape Drives to ESCON channels at 17 MB/second. Using ESCON Directors, the A50 controller can be up to 43 kilometers from the host system. It is supported for installation in an Enterprise Tape Library 3494, Enterprise Tape Drive Frame 3590 Model A14, or Silo Compatible Tape Drive Frame 3590 Model C14.

• Provides ESCON attachment of up to four 3590 Model B1A, B11, E1A, or E11 Tape Drives
• Delivers a maximum instantaneous data rate of 17 MB/sec per adapter
• Attaches at a maximum channel distance of 43 Km
• Contains one or two ESCON channel adapters
• Supports attachment in the Enterprise Tape Library 3494
• Is available in a 3590 A14 Frame for non-library attachment
• Operates in 3490E emulation or native 3590 mode

Maximum

• Two Model A50 Controllers can be installed in a Model A14 frame box, or one Model A50 Controller with one Model A00 Controller.
• One Model A50 Controller can be installed in a 3494 Model L14 or D14 or in a feature #5304 frame of a 3494 Model L10.
• Up to two Model A50 or A00 Controllers can be installed in a Model C14 Silo Compatible Frame or attached as free-standing units to a Model C12 Silo Compatible Frame.

The following devices can be attached to the Model A50:

• 3590 Model B11 Tape Drives
• 3590 Model B1A Tape Drives
• 3590 Model E11 Tape Drives
• 3590 Model E1A Tape Drives