Amdahl announces the UTS(R) system Version 4 Release 3 (UTS 4.3), the
newest member of the UTS system Version 4 (UTS 4) family of open operating
systems for System/390 processors. With this release, the UTS system continues
with its second decade of serving the mission-critical needs of the largest
commercial customers.
The UTS system offers the unique combination of true, native UNIX(R) with
the reliability and scalability of System/390 hardware. With UTS 4.3,
enterprises can gain the benefits of open system interoperability,
productivity, and connectivity while maintaining the power of legacy systems
and protecting investment in information assets.
The UTS system is a member of the A+Performance Engineered(TM) products
from Amdahl.
This document introduces the new features and enhancements included in UTS
4.3. For complete information on the full features provided in earlier releases
of UTS 4, see the UTS system spec sheet (MM001831-003).
Summary of new features in this release
X/Open(R) Portability Guide, Issue 4 (XPG4)
UTS 4.3 enhances interoperability by conforming to additional key industry
standards. UTS 4.3 has passed the X/Open validation suite for XPG4 base
branding. This registration includes: XPG4 Commands and Utilities, XPG4
Internationalized System Calls and Libraries, and XPG4 C Language. Customers
can confidently develop and deploy applications under the UTS 4 that will
communicate and interoperate across multiple platforms.
Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 151-2 (FIPS PUB
151-2). UTS 4.3 is certified by the National Institute for Standards and
Technology (NIST) to be acceptable in federal procurements.
Common Programming Interface Communications (CPI-C 1990). The CPI-C element
of X/Open common application environment provides an Application Programming
Interface (API) which enables conforming applications to communicate with other
applications via the IBM LU 6.2 communication protocol. This is a further
extension of the UTS system's support of the SNA environment.
Hardware support
In a continuing commitment to support the latest developments in the
System/390 hardware market, new processors and devices have been added to those
supported in earlier releases of UTS 4.
IBM 9672-R family of CMOS processors
The UTS system continues to track the latest developments in System/390
processors from all vendors. UTS 4.3 adds support for one to six processing
engines in a single Central Electronic Complex (CEC) of an IBM 9672-R
processor. UTS 4.3 on an IBM 9672-R offers customers an attractive choice for
smaller mission-critical workloads on the familiar System/390 architecture.
Support for the IBM 9672-R is offered under the Enhanced Model Compatibility
feature and is a separately-priced option.
ESCON attachment for IBM 3172 internetwork controller
UTS 4.3 offers support for 3172 ESCON connections in addition to the basic
OEMI channel connection support offered in earlier UTS 4 releases. This
increases flexibility and throughput in driving TCP/IP protocols over Ethernet,
Token Ring, and FDDI networks using IBM 3172 (or compatible) control units. The
IBM 3172 support feature is a separately priced option.
ESCON Channel-to-Channel (CTC) adapter attachments
ESCON CTC provides a high-capacity link between a UTS host and either a VM
or MVS host. ESCON Multiple Image Facility (EMIF) is included in UTS 4.3's
support for logical ESCON connections within a computing complex. SNA, NJE, and
RJE protocols are available for VM and MVS hosts.
Multi-Mirror Disk
This feature further enhances the value of the UTS system for
mission-critical environments. The Multi-Mirror Disk feature provides redundant
storage of data to eliminate outages due to single disk failures and also
provides quick recovery in the event of system failure. This feature is most
useful to customers having critical on-line RDBMS databases that must be
protected to ensure the success of their business. Multi-Mirror Disk is a
separately-priced option.
Amdahl 6395-3, 6395-5, and 6395-9 DASD
UTS 4.3 offers expanded support to include the latest 6395 DASD devices.
The complete family of Amdahl 6395-3, 6395-5, and 6395-9 DASD devices are
supported as well as IBM's 3390-3 and 3390-9.
Support of Amdahl 6690 controller caching
UTS 4.3 provides support for configuration and totally compatible access to
both the read cache and non-volatile storage on Amdahl 6690 and IBM 3990-3
control units. This support is in addition to the earlier support of cache
operations for Amdahl 6100 control units. With UTS 4.3, customers gain the
benefits of cached I/O operations possible with these controllers. Actual
performance is dependent upon individual workload I/O patterns.
Support for Release 4.0 of STK's ACSLS client software for STK 4400
devices. This is the latest release of the STK's Silo server software and is of
special interest to sites using or considering A+UniTree(tm) Hierarchical
Storage Manager.
Communications support
BX.25 attachment to 4745
Customers using BX.25 with the 4745 and the UTS system 2.1 now have a
migration path to UTS 4.
IBM 3745 Front End Processor (FEP)
UTS 4.3 provides support for IBM 3745 FEPs. The operation of the IBM 3745 has been verified with UTS 4.3 and is now considered a supported alternative to the Amdahl 4745. This support offers more networking choices for those customers with this common IBM FEP.
3270 Enhanced Desktop Package (3270EDP)
3270EDP is a suite of products designed to maximize the productivity of
those UTS system customers that have standardized on the 3270 full-screen
terminal interface. This package includes support and enhancements for several
products which emulate 3270 command streams on ASCII terminals or bring new
functionality to real 3270 terminals. This suite of products is distributed as
a package and separately-priced. The product suite includes:
SIM3270 Enhancements
The SIM3270 feature is host-resident software which automatically emulates
3270 terminals on ASCII terminals connected to applications using 3270 command
streams. This is often useful in situations where there is a requirement for an
ASCII terminal to communicate directly with a legacy system application. The
enhanced SIM3270 capabilities include the display of 25th line status
information and support for multi-character "escaped" function keys to more
completely utilize the available keysets on certain types of ASCII
terminals.
3270TN
The 3270TN feature provides all of the ASCII communication features of
Telnet for 3270 terminal users in environments using Telnet and/or TN3270
protocols. This enables users to remotely connect to other UTS, MVS, or VM
hosts over a network from a full-screen 3270 terminal.
TN3270
The TN3270 feature combines Telnet protocols with full- screen, 3270
terminal emulation for ASCII terminals or ASCII windows on PCs and
workstations. The TN3270 application is used for a full-screen, full-duplex
connection from an ASCII terminal on a UNIX mini-computer to a System/390
mainframe.
Improved NFS Performance
UTS 4.3 provides the option to use the DASD Fast Write feature of
Non-Volatile Storage (NVS) in Amdahl 6690 and IBM 3990-3 DASD controllers.
Significant NFS performance improvements can result when this option is enabled
on properly configured systems. Throughput increases as high as three times
faster are possible for some NFS file system operations. Actual performance
depends upon customer workload, I/O patterns, and system configuration.
Operations enhancements
UTS Console Switching Facility (UCSF)
In continuing efforts to improve the availability characteristics of the
UTS system, UCSF provides the ability for the UTS system console to be switched between locally attached 3270 devices. This allows the UTS system to be managed from anywhere in the data center, avoiding system outages due to hardware failure of the UTS system console.
TTY Mirroring Facility (TMF)
The TMF enables the UTS system operations staff to observe or enter data on any end-user's real or emulated TTY terminal. This is an ideal tool to aid in
quick problem determination by remotely diagnosing end-user or system
problems.
On-line DASD Maintenance
UTS 4.3 facilitates on-line maintenance of live file systems by removing
the requirement to take the file system(s) off-line, increasing system
availability. UTS 4.3 is designed to run IBM's ICKDSF directly or allow its
running from another machine or domain. Since ICKDSF is the standard data
center tool used for on-line alternate track assignment, system administrators can work through a single, familiar interface to reassign tracks under both the UTS and MVS systems.
Special pricing
Customers desiring to migrate to UTS 4.3 from competitive mainframe UNIX products will receive special consideration. Those customers migrating to UTS 4.3 that hold an active license for IBM AIX/ESA or Hitachi Data Systems Osiris systems will have the normal initial license fee for the UTS 4.3 base system waived. In order to qualify, the only customer obligation is a commitment to use the UTS system for 12 months and pay the normal monthly usage fee. This offer does not apply to separately-priced UTS system features.
Migration from earlier UTS system version
UTS 2.1 provides a migration environment within which customers can
implement SVR4 Expanded Fundamental Types (EFT), easing the full migration to UTS 4.3 and other SVR4 platforms. Amdahl provides migration tools free of
charge that execute on UTS 2.1 to help customers migrate source applications
from UTS 2.1 to UTS 4.3. Details concerning binary compatibility and other
aspects of the migration process from UTS 2.1 to UTS 4.3 are described in the
UTS Migration Guide (ML-143227).
Future directions
UTS 4 is the basis for the development of future Amdahl open systems
products for System/390 platforms. The following are a few of the features
under consideration for inclusion in future releases of UTS 4:
Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
A set of applications from OSF that provides common services across a
variety of hardware and software platforms.
"Information Highway On-ramp" package
A suite of public domain products, some with Amdahl enhancements, designed
to provide basic access to the Internet and enhance UNIX system email
operation.
"Unified UNIX" APIs (SPEC 1170)
A set of operating system APIs emerging as the new definition of the UNIX, endorsed by X/Open. Conformance to this standard will improve the ISV's ability to port their applications.
ATM and Frame Relay support
These features may be implemented using third-party LAN controllers or FEPs from major vendors in order to meet the growing customer needs for high-speed communications.
Additional information
Support and service
Support for UTS 4 is provided worldwide by Amdahl Customer Services.
Central Site Support is included in the license fee. Local support is provided
at no charge when dispatched by the Amdahl Support Center.
Custom customer products
Amdahl offers fee-based enhancements by the UTS system development
organization to the standard UTS 4.3 product to meet unique customer
requirements. Customers should contact their local Account Executive concerning the normal RPQ process for specific feature requests.
Consulting services
Amdahl offers consulting services in all aspects of large-system computing. With a thorough understanding of the MVS, VM, and open systems
environments,Amdahl is uniquely qualified to design open systems solutions that meet both corporate and end-user objectives. Standard services available to UTS system customers include: