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Brocade Certified Architect For FICON (BCAF)

This level of certification indicates that you understand IBM System z I/O concepts, and can demonstrate knowledge of Brocade switching solutions in FICON environments. Choose this BCAF path if you are in a pre-sales, support, design, or professional services role.

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As a Brocade Certified Architect for FICON, you will be expected to understand IBM System z I/O concepts and demonstrate knowledge of Brocade switching products in FICON environments. You will need to demonstrate skills for designing, installing, configuring, maintaining, managing, and troubleshooting Brocade hardware and software products for local and metro-distance (up to 100 kilometers) environments. To achieve this level of certification, you are required to pass one exam.

Architecture

  • Describe System z host, I/O channel subsystem, and FICON protocol architecture
  • Given a scenario, demonstrate knowledge of System z channel I/O system configuration
  • Describe System z I/O, channel, and CUP interdependencies

Design Considerations

  • Given a scenario, describe single-director versus cascaded-director design requirements
  • Given a scenario, describe scalability considerations
  • Describe the components that influence FICON performance
  • Given a scenario, demonstrate knowledge of high-availability and disaster recovery solutions
  • Given a scenario, demonstrate knowledge of FICON and FCP intermix configurations

Implementation

  • Describe basic FICON SAN installation procedures
  • Given a scenario, describe zoning considerations for FICON
  • Given a scenario, demonstrate the ability to implement a cascaded FICON solution in native mode
  • Given a scenario, demonstrate the ability to implement a cascaded FICON solution in interop mode

Security

  • Demonstrate how to implement security features for FICON fabric management

Management

  • Describe use of various performance management tools
  • Given a scenario, demonstrate the ability to manage cascaded FICON solutions
  • Describe the benefits and uses of FICON CUP
  • Given a scenario, demonstrate knowledge of firmware and configuration management tools

Troubleshooting

  • Given a scenario, demonstrate data collection processes for problem determination
  • Given a scenario, demonstrate the ability to perform host-based troubleshooting, path troubleshooting, and performance troubleshooting

Certification and Accreditation Resources

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