Server Time Protocol (STP) is a server-wide facility that is implemented in the Licensed Internal Code (LIC) of the IBM® zEnterprise® EC12 (zEC12), IBM zEnterprise 196 (z196), IBM zEnterprise 114 (z114), IBM System z10® Enterprise Class (z10 EC), System z10 Business Class (z10 BC), IBM System z9® Enterprise Class (z9 EC), and System z9 Business Class (z9 BC). It provides improved time synchronization in a sysplex or non-sysplex configuration.

This IBM Redbooks® publication is intended for infrastructure architects and system programmers who need to understand the IBM STP functions. Readers are expected to be generally familiar with System z® technology and terminology.

This book provides planning information for Server Time Protocol functions and associated software support. For more detailed installation, operation, and recovery information, refer to the companion books Server Time Protocol Implementation Guide, SG24-7281, and Server Time Protocol Recovery Guide, SG24-7380.

This book was produced by a team of specialists from around the world working at the International Technical Support Organization, Poughkeepsie Center.

Octavian Lascu is a Project Leader at the International Technical Support Organization, Poughkeepsie Center. He writes extensively and teaches IBM classes worldwide on areas such as cross-paltform clustering and High Performance Computing. Before joining the ITSO 10 years ago, Octavian worked in Global Technology Services®, Romania, as Senior IT Consultant.

Hans-Peter Eckam is a Support Center Specialist in the IBM Hardware Support Center in Mainz, Germany. Hans-Peter joined IBM in 1986 and has 22 years of experience in supporting System z customers. His areas of expertise include System z, Sysplex Timer®, Server Time Protocol, and connectivity such as ESCON®, FICON®, and InfiniBand.

George Kozakos is a Senior IT Specialist with IBM Australia. He has more than 25 years of experience in MVS™ system programming. George’s areas of expertise include Server Time Protocol and GDPS®. He holds degrees in Computing Science and Pure Mathematics.

Paulo Vitor Pereira is an IT Specialist in STG Lab Services in São Paulo, Brazil. He has joined IBM in 2009 and has 6 years of experience in System z. His areas of expertise include, z/OS®, WLM, z/BX and System z Hardware.

Thanks to the following people for their contributions to this project:

William G White
International Technical Support Organization, Poughkeepsie Center

Donald J Smith, Richard M Hamilton, Steve Cherniak, Glen Poulsen
IBM Poughkeepsie

Gregory K. Hutchison
IBM Gaithersburg

Thanks to the authors of the previous editions of this book:

Noshir Dhondy, Hans-Peter Eckam, Andy Kilhoffer, Jeremy Koch, Hao Shen, Martin Söllig, Ray Takabe, Octavian Lascu.

Noshir Dhondy, Hans-Peter Eckam, Marcel Jaeckel, Jeff McDonough, George Ng, Frank Packheiser, and Bernard Tanguy

Noshir Dhondy, Greg Hutchison, Paul Hagen, Dick Jorna, George Kozakos, and Iain Neville.

Thanks to the ITSO support team:
Robert Haimowiz, Donald R Brennan and Roy P Costa
International Technical Support Organization, Poughkeepsie Center

 

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