IBM launches end-to-end Ficon

IBM geared up to offer technology that will give its storage a big boost.

IBM has announced Fibre Channel connectivity (Ficon) between mainframes and high-end disk systems, claiming it will process data up to six times faster with four times greater capacity than is currently available.

IBM end-users running Shark servers will be able to boost data transfer rates to 100Mbps, from the 17Mbps which is the industry-standard Enterprise Systems Connection (Escon).

"This will allow significant infrastructure cost reductions for end-users, because multiple Escon channels can be replaced with just one Ficon channel," said Dietmar Wendt, vice-president of storage for EMEA at IBM.

Although the announcement concerns mainly high-end devices, Wendt added that IBM still intended to deliver through its channel.

"We have certain partners which are specifically high-end, and we use a hybrid model with our distributor so they work together to do large projects in large accounts," he said.

Paul Talbut, managing director of reseller HPS, thinks customers should take a close look at IBM's systems.

"End-users need to evaluate Ficon in terms of what they have, from a performance and infrastructure point of view, and taking their existing legacy data into an open San environment," he said.

Big Blue has also announced two additions to its Virtual Tape Server (VTS) range: the B10 and the B20.

The drives will include IBM's copper chip technology and geographically dispersed parallel sysplex mainframe software technology, and self-healing technology from its Shark servers.

Ficon will be available from September, and the B10 and B20 VTSs from 31 August.