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## Inbound workload queuing for OSA 

OSA-Express3 introduced inbound workload queuing (IWQ), which creates multiple input queues and allows OSA to differentiate workloads “off the wire.” It then assigns work to a specific input queue (per device) to z/OS. 

Each input queue is a unique type of workload, and includes unique service and processing requirements. The IWQ function allows z/OS to preassign the appropriate processing resources for each input queue. This approach allows multiple concurrent z/OS processing threads to process each unique input queue (workload), which avoids traditional resource contention. 

IWQ reduces the conventional z/OS processing that is required to identify and separate unique workloads. This advantage results in improved overall system performance and scalability. 

A primary objective of IWQ is to provide improved performance for business-critical interactive workloads by reducing contention that is created by other types of workloads. In a heavily mixed workload environment, this “off the wire” network traffic separation is provided by OSA-Express6S, OSA-Express5S, or OSA-Express4S$^{11}$ features that are defined as CHPID type OSD. OSA IWQ is shown in Figure 7-5. 

<img src='content_image/976286.jpg'>

The following types of z/OS workloads are identified and assigned to unique input queues: 

GLYPH<SM590000> z/OS Sysplex Distributor traffic 

Network traffic that is associated with a distributed virtual Internet Protocol address (VIPA) is assigned to a unique input queue. This configuration allows the Sysplex Distributor traffic to be immediately distributed to the target host. 

GLYPH<SM590000> z/OS bulk data traffic 

Network traffic that is dynamically associated with a streaming (bulk data) TCP connection is assigned to a unique input queue. This configuration allows the bulk data processing to be assigned the appropriate resources and isolated from critical interactive workloads. 

GLYPH<SM590000> EE (Enterprise Extender / SNA traffic) 

IWQ for the OSA-Express features is enhanced to differentiate and separate inbound Enterprise Extender traffic to a dedicated input queue. 

