GLYPH<SM590000> They can be used in test or production configurations, reduce the cost of moving into Parallel Sysplex technology, and enhance performance and reliability. 

GLYPH<SM590000> They can be defined as spanned channels across multiple channel subsystems. 

GLYPH<SM590000> They are available at no extra hardware cost (no feature code). Employing ICFs with IC links results in considerable cost savings when configuring a cluster. 

IC links are enabled by defining CHPID type ICP. A maximum of 64 IC links can be defined on an IBM 15 CPC. 

## Integrated Coupling Adapter Short Range 

The ICA SR (FC 0172) was introduced with the IBM z13. z15 introduces ICA SR1.1 (FC 0176). ICA SR and ICA SR1.1 are two-port, short-distance coupling features that allow the supported IBM Z systems to connect to each other. ICA SR and ICA SR1.1 use coupling channel type CS5. The ICA SR uses PCIe Gen3 technology, with x16 lanes that are bifurcated into x8 lanes for coupling. ICA SR1.1 uses PCIe Gen4 technology, with x16 lanes that are bifurcated into x8 lanes for coupling. 

The ICA SR & SR1.1 are designed to drive distances up to 150 m and supports a link data rate of 8 GBps. It is designed to support up to four CHPIDs per port and seven subchannels (devices) per CHPID. 

For more information, see IBM Z Planning for Fiber Optic Links (FICON/FCP, Coupling Links, and Open System Adapters) , GA23-1407 as this web page. 

## Coupling Express Long Reach 

The Coupling Express LR occupies one slot in a PCIe I/O drawer or PCIe+ I/O drawer$^{10}$. It allows the supported IBM Z systems to connect to each other over extended distance. The Coupling Express LR (FC 0433) is a two-port that uses coupling channel type CL5. 

The Coupling Express LR uses 10GbE RoCE technology and is designed to drive distances up to 10 km (6.21 miles) unrepeated and support a link data rate of 10 Gigabits per second (Gbps). For distance requirements greater than 10 km (6.21 miles), clients must use a Wavelength Division Multiplexer (WDM). The WDM vendor must be qualified by IBM Z. 

Coupling Express LR is designed to support up to four CHPIDs per port, 32 buffers (that is, 32 subchannels) per CHPID. The Coupling Express LR feature is in the PCIe+ I/O drawer on IBM z15. 

For more information, see IBM Z Planning for Fiber Optic Links (FICON/FCP, Coupling Links, Open Systems Adapters, and zHyperLink Express) , GA23-1408, which is available at this web page. 

## Extended distance support 

For more information about extended distance support, see System z End-to-End Extended Distance Guide , SG24-8047. 

