The IBM Enterprise Systems Connection (ESCON) channel-A versatile building block

The IBM Enterprise Systems Connection (ESCON™) environment required the design of a single channel that could be attached to the entire line of Enterprise System/9000™ processors and deliver the performance required by the top of that line. In addition to the channel, other functions were needed, such as the ESCON channel-to-channel adapter. All of these functions were required to be implemented using the same channel hardware. This paper describes the key elements of the IBM ESCON channel design.