Multiple subchannel sets (MSS) provide relief for I/O device configurations in large System z10 and System z9 environments. MSS are supported by ESCON®, FICON, z/OS, and allow for increased device connectivity for Parallel Access Volumes (PAVs).

Since the IBM System Storage® DS8000 and DS6000 series and the System z10 and System z9 support PAVs, there is symmetry between the server and the storage subsystem.

The purpose of this document is to demonstrate a pragmatic implementation approach for the adoption of MSS in a System z environment.