IBMcopy123: All Aboard the Network Express! Subway Edition

Project and Program: Communications Server

Tags: Proceedings, SHARE Orlando 2026, 2026

The IBM z17 has undergone a transformation with an entirely new System I/O hardware and architecture model for both storage and networking. The new system design moves I/O operations closer to the system processor and memory. This presentation will focus on the networking I/O transformation by introducing you to the new IBM z17 Network Express feature and a new architecture called Enhanced QDIO (EQDIO). The Network Express feature combines the functionality of both the OSA-Express and RoCE Express features into a single feature. Each Network Express port supports both IP and RDMA protocols, which allows it to function as both a standard NIC for Ethernet and as an RDMA capable NIC (RNIC) for RoCE protocols. Converging both protocols to a single adapter reduces Z customers’ cost for physical networking resources. With this change, IBM Z customers can now exploit Shared Memory Communications technology without incurring additional hardware costs. In this session, the speakers will focus on how z/OS Communications Server has been updated to support the Network Express feature using a new Enhanced QDIO Ethernet (EQENET) interface statement to configure OSA connectivity. EQDIO provides a variety of simplifications, such as no longer requiring VTAM user defined TRLEs, uses smarter defaults and removes outdated parameters. In addition, the operational aspects of managing and monitoring the new OSA and RoCE interfaces will be covered. Come join us, step aboard and learn how z/OS Communications Server is bringing you the future in network communications with the IBM z17 Network Express feature.

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