Patent ID: 8214562

Claim:
A computer program product for processing communications between an initiator unit in network communication with a target unit in an input/output processing system, comprising a tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method comprising: responsive to a communication determining that a selected protocol is supported by the initiator unit and the target unit, the selected protocol supporting suspension of input/output (I/O) operations, receiving by the target unit, a network message from the initiator unit, the network message requesting suspension of input/output operations between the initiator and the target for a period of time, the period of time being defined by the network message, the target unit and the initiator unit selected from one of a channel subsystem of a host computer system and a control unit capable of controlling an input/output (I/O) device; responsive to the network message being received, suspending transmission of input/output operations to the initiator unit by the target unit for the defined period of time; and responsive to expiration of the period of time, resuming transmission of input/output operations by the target unit.