Hardware requirements

OptiConnect hardware requirements are dependent on the technology used:

• HSL OptiConnect: On models supporting the High Speed Link, there is no additional hardware required other than standard HSL or HSL-2 cables to connect the system into the HSL Loop.

  For information on HSL cabling, see the HSL cabling information under the "Plan for hardware and software" topic in the iSeries™ Information Center. Additional information about HSL cabling can also be found on the High Availability and Clusters Web Site (www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/iseries/ha).

• Virtual OptiConnect: In a logical partitioning environment, there is no additional hardware required since the connectivity between logical partitions is internal to the server. The hardware communication option HSL OptiConnect must be activated for each LPAR using the HSL OptiConnect function. The hardware communication option virtual OptiConnect must be activated for each LPAR using the virtual OptiConnect function.
• SPD OptiConnect: On models supporting the SPD system bus, OptiConnect Receiver cards are installed in a dedicated I/O expansion unit hub, each connecting to a satellite server using standard system bus SPD fibre-optic cables.

  The table below shows SPD OptiConnect hardware and Feature Codes.

  Table 1. Hardware required for SPD OptiConnect server

  Type	Feature Code	Description
  1063Mbps OptiConnect Receiver card	2685	This card is placed in the Hub server dedicated I/O expansion unit, and connects to a satellite server.
  266Mbps OptiConnect Receiver card	2683	This card is placed in the Hub server dedicated I/O expansion unit, and connects to a satellite server.
  Optical Link (1063Mbps) card	2688	This card connects a Satellite server to a 1063Mbps OptiConnect Receiver card, type 2685.
  2686: Optical Link (266 Mbps) card	2686	This card connects a Satellite server to a 266Mbps OptiConnect Receiver card, type 2683.