Overview
1-1
The IBM Serial I/O Expandable I/O Subsystem is a High-speed
Serial Communications Multiple Port product. It consists of several
different modular components configured in a variety of
combinations to satisfy most applications. The various components
are:
l
Adapter
l
Expansion Modules
The Serial I/O Adapter (see Figure 1-1) occupies a slot in the host
computer and provides the intelligent communications functions to
"off-load" the CPU serial communications processing tasks.
Adapters can support up to 128 ports using external Expansion
Modules.
All Serial I/O Adapters consist of two SuperSerial Processors (SSPs)
for controlling the flow of data through multiple communication
ports. Figure 1-1 illustrates a Serial I/O Adapter containing two
SSPs. This adapter is capable of controlling the operation of up to
128 Serial I/O Ports.
1
PCI Adapters
Overview
Figure 1-1. Serial I/O Adapter (128-port)
