This Redpaper provides an overview of the features and benefits of FICON CTC, and the information necessary to implement the CTC function with FICON channels. Using the information in this Redpaper, a configuration planner and/or systems programmer can design and define a high availability CTC configuration in a FICON environment. Migration from ESCON CTCs to FICON CTCs is described, along with information on operations and performance of FICON CTC.

The following topics are discussed in this Redpaper:

Review of CTC support

ESCON CTC review

Overview and benefits of FICON CTC

FCTC topology options

FCTC hardware and software support

Recommendations for FCTC device numbering scheme

FCTC configuration and definition examples

FICON CTC control unit function balancing

Migration considerations

FCTC operations and recovery - configuring for high availability recommendations

FCTC functional characteristics and performance