FICON

FICON (Fiber Connectivity) is a high-speed input/output (I/O) interface used in mainframe computers. It is designed to connect mainframe systems to storage devices, such as disk storage and tape storage, over fiber optic cables. FICON is an evolution of the older ESCON (Enterprise Systems Connection) technology, offering significantly higher data transfer rates and improved performance.

History

FICON was introduced by IBM in the late 1990s as a replacement for ESCON. The primary motivation for developing FICON was to address the limitations of ESCON, particularly its lower data transfer rates and limited distance capabilities. FICON leverages the Fibre Channel protocol, which is widely used in storage area networks (SANs), to provide faster and more reliable connections.

Technical Specifications

FICON operates over fiber optic cables and uses the Fibre Channel protocol for data transmission. It supports data transfer rates of up to 16 Gbps, significantly higher than the 200 Mbps offered by ESCON. FICON also supports longer distances, with the ability to connect devices up to 100 kilometers apart, compared to the 3 kilometers limit of ESCON.

FICON is compatible with various types of storage devices, including disk storage, tape storage, and virtual tape libraries. It also supports advanced features such as data compression, encryption, and error correction.

Advantages

FICON offers several advantages over its predecessor, ESCON:

• Higher data transfer rates, up to 16 Gbps.
• Longer distance capabilities, up to 100 kilometers.
• Improved reliability and error correction.
• Compatibility with a wide range of storage devices.
• Support for advanced features such as data compression and encryption.

Applications

FICON is primarily used in mainframe computer environments, where high-speed and reliable data transfer is critical. It is commonly used to connect mainframes to disk storage systems, tape storage systems, and virtual tape libraries. FICON is also used in disaster recovery and business continuity solutions, where its long-distance capabilities are particularly valuable.

Related Technologies

• ESCON
• Fibre Channel
• Storage area network
• Mainframe computer
• Disk storage
• Tape storage
• Virtual tape library

See Also

• ESCON
• Fibre Channel
• Storage area network
• Mainframe computer
• Disk storage
• Tape storage
• Virtual tape librarys

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