HP-UX SNAplus2 link

Product brief: HP 9000 Servers and Workstations, Product Numbers J2720BA and J2730BA

Key features

• Highly scalable-number of users and sessions limited only by available system hardware resources
• Emulates an IBM 3174 and 3274 cluster controller on an HP 9000 system
• Supports LU types 0, 1, 2, 3, and 6.2
• Enables APPN End-Node peer-to-peer networking
• Simultaneously supports multiple local area or wide area network (LAN or WAN) media
• Supports Windows 16-bit PC clients via Winsock 1.1
• Acts as a server for other SNAplus2 services
• Provides NetView alarms and alerts for integrated network management

HP-UX SNAplus2 Link is a member of HP's next-generation SNAplus2 Release 5 products. SNAplus2 Link provides enhanced communications capability between an HP 9000 server or workstation and an IBM mainframe or an IBM peer system such as the AS/400. The HP-UX SNAplus2 Link easily integrates into existing network infrastructures by simultaneously managing the SDLC, QLLC/X.25, Ethernet (802.3), FDDI, and Token Ring (802.5) lines to the host, and it emulates the major features of an IBM 3274 cluster control unit using the lower four layers of systems network architecture (SNA), ensuring that customers' investments are protected. Both Node Type 2.0 (T2.0) for hierarchical connectivity and Low Entry Node (LEN) Type 2.1 (T2.1) for peer-to-peer connectivity are supported. Logical Unit (LU) Types 0, 1, 2, 3, and 6.2 (LU 0, LU 1, LU 2, LU 3, and LU 6.2) are supported.

The HP-UX SNAplus2 Link can be configured as either standalone or as client/server. The standalone environment provides access to IBM mainframes or IBM peer systems for a single HP-UX computer that has its own HP-UX SNAplus2 Link. Running in the client/server environment permits access to the IBM systems from multiple HP-UX computers on an Ethernet, Token Ring, or FDDI (servers) LAN. These computers generally use a single HP 9000 computer with HP-UX SNAplus2 Link as a gateway to the IBM system.

HP-UX SNAplus2 Link also supports Microsoftr Windows 16-bit PC clients via the Winsock 1.1 protocol to access the IBM mainframe or peer systems, enabling transparent access to legacy data and applications from PC environments.

The HP-UX SNAplus2 Link product is used in conjunction with a service product: SNAplus2 3270/3179G, SNAplus2 API or SNAplus2 RJE. In addition, SNAplus2 APPN End-Node can be used along with SNAplus2 Link. (Please refer to the appropriate data sheets for more information.)

A copy of a service product must reside on each HP-UX computer that is to communicate with the IBM system through the server system (does not include connected client systems).

Functional specifications

• All printers and terminals supported by the HP 9000 running HP-UX are supported by HP-UX SNAplus2 Link.
• SNAplus2 Link allows communi- cation with an IBM 370, OS/390, or compatible mainframe running VM, VM/XA, MVS/SP, MVS/XA, MVS/ESA, or DOS/VSE operating systems and ACF/VTAM through an IBM 3725, 3745, or 3746 communications controller running ACF/NCP. SNAplus2 Link also allows communication with IBM midrange systems such as the AS/400, S/36, or S/38 as peers.
• There is no logical limit on the number of SDLC link cards that can be installed in a single HP 9000 system, allowing multiple links. Similarly, there is no logical SNAplus Link restriction on the number of LAN cards that can be supported in a single HP 9000. The only restriction is the number of card slots and system resources available.
• NetView alarms and alerts are sent to the NetView console.
• The SNAplus2 Link supports synchro- nous modem speeds up to 64 Kbps as described below. SNAplus2 Link requires synchronous modems that support RS-232C handshake signals. Modems must also provide transmit and receive clocks for the SDLC interface and ensure ground isolation between the communication systems.
• The SNAplus2 Link supports auto-dial async/sync modems. The auto-dial modem must supply clock signals.
• Message encoding: NRZ (nonreturn to zero) or NRZI (nonreturn to zero inverted) is supported on the work-station and server systems.
• SNA over 802.3 is available in an IEEE 802.3 LAN. If a router is used in the IEEE 802.3 LAN, it must provide the capability to bridge the IEEE 802.3 frames. SNAplus 802.3 Link is not supported over a TCP/IP network.
• SNA over FDDI is available and supported for HP 9000 servers.

Features

• SNAplus2 Link allows the HP 9000 to emulate the major features of a 3174 and 3274 cluster controller using SNA protocols.
• SNAplus2 Link software supports an unlimited number of logical unit sessions (LUs) concurrently. The number of sessions per system is only limited by the amount of available system resources.
• Supports PU 2.1 primary to initiate connections with peer systems including other HP 9000s.
• The HP-UX SNAplus2 Link running on the HP 9000 acts as a server for SNAplus clients running SNAplus2 3270/3179G, API, and RJE on an HP 9000. It can simultaneously communicate to the mainframe and participate in an SNA network using any or all of these services.
• An HP 9000 with HP-UX SNAplus2 Link can function as a nondedicated gateway. Depending on the cus-tomer's specific application requirements, SNAplus2 Link easily operates on an HP 9000 while running other HP-UX applications, thus decreasing overall system costs.
• BSD Sockets is the de facto industry-standard interface used between the SNAplus2 Link and the SNAplus2 service products in an HP-UX client/server environment, allowing easy integration of existing applications.
• Winsock 1.1 is the interface for PC-client-to-UNIXr-server connectivity.
• Third-party vendors offer PC client software support that is compliant with the following:
  • 3270 emulation interface speci- fication defined by Microsoft for Advanced Program-to-Program Communication (APPC) emulation-compatible with IBM's extended edition for OS/2 (for 3270 emulation)
  • X/Openr 2.0 CPIC Base Option Set (for CPIC-equivalent to IBM's CPIC 1.2 implementation)
• SNA and TCP/IP can run concurrently over the same Token Ring or 802.3 card.
• SNA and OSI can run concurrently over the same X.25 link card.
• The SNAplus2 Link product can simultaneously support 100 Mbps FDDI, 4/16 Mbps Token Ring or 10 Mbps 802.3 LAN connections. For WAN connections it supports line speeds up to 64 Kbps over switched or leased lines for SDLC or X.25/ QLLC connections. High-performance X.25/QLLC connections up to 256 Kbps are also supported on both HP 9000 servers and workstations.

Customer installation responsibility

Installation of these products requires knowledge in several overlapping areas. The staff engineer responsible for this task must have strong knowledge of (or have direct contact with staff with strong knowledge of) hardware config-uration, SNA networks, application environments, and HP-UX system administration.

Installation requires basic SNA knowledge. This includes knowledge of interface nodes, network routers, NAUs, PUs, LUs, link types, and IBM hardware and software.

Installation of SNAplus2 requires a thorough user-level knowledge of HP-UX commands. In addition, the installer must be familiar with:

• Running SD commands on an HP-UX system
• The HP-UX file system, privilege groups, and real-time features
• Running LAN and PSI diagnostics on an HP-UX system
• HP-UX kernel configuration

It is highly recommended that customers install an X-Window terminal in order to use the user-friendly SNAplus2 GUI administration tool.

The installer must be familiar with HP 9000 systems; be able to install interface cards, shut down, and restart the system; and have the ability to configure a modem for QLLC and SDLC and perform token ring link setup. The installer should also know peripheral hardware capabilities.

Hardware configuration also includes an understanding of client/server topologies and of what products will be on the client or the server.

Customers who cannot compose a team with this skill set should purchase HP Installation and Network Startup services.

Additional implementation assistance

For implementation needs that go beyond installation, the customer can either provide self-support or purchase additional services from HP. These services include Network Startup and HP ConsultLine. In addition, the customer can also purchase service from HP on a time-and-materials basis.

Network Startup includes implementation scheduling and coordination assistance, network configuration and verification testing, and network documentation.

Ordering information

HP-UX SNAplus2 Link includes right-to-use license software. HP 9000 server customers must specify a processor option. For optional manuals, please see documentation ordering instructions on the following page.

Processor Options (order one):

• AH0 D-, E-, F-, G-Class; K100, K200
• AE5 H-, I-Class; K400
• AEP T500, T520, T600, 890, V-Class
• 0D1 Instant Ignition
• AVN Release note

J2220B SNAplus Link Hardware

• 001 HP-PB card
• 002 EISA card
• 0D1 Factory integrated
• 1AT RS-232 cable
• 1AU V.35 64-Kbps cable

HP J2730BA SNAplus2 Link Workstation license

SNAplus2 Link is also supported on HP's Multichannel ACC products, as shown below. Refer to the HP 9000 configuration and ordering guides for ordering information.

8-Channel HP-PB ACC

• Z7288A (SDLC)
• Z7250A (SDLC)
• Z7240A (X.25)

• Token ring requires Token ring/ 9000 (HP J2166A)
• QLLC requires X.25/9000 link (HP J2793A)
• 802.3 requires LAN/9000 (integrated or J2146A)
• FDDI requires FDDI/9000 (J2157A)

8-Channel EISA ACC

• Z7231AA (SDLC)
• Z7432AA (SDLC)
• Z7402A (SDLC)
• Z7401A (X.25)

Upgrade options are available for HP 9000 server SNAplus2 products. Please consult the HP 9000 ordering and configuration guides for details. Current SNAplus customers on support can upgrade to SNAplus2 products at no charge.

Documentation

The following guides are included with the product:

• J2740-90001-HP-UX SNAplus2 installation guide
• J2740-90002-HP-UX SNAplus2 administration guide
• J2740AA-SNAplus2 Link manuals (optional)
  -001 migration guide

Support products

HP offers a spectrum of support service products to help plan, implement, operate, and manage your multivendor network throughout the network life cycle.

For more information, contact your HP representative or refer to the HP data sheets for specific support services.

Customers with hardware support agreements must add the appropriate level of coverage for the link product to their support agreements.

Additional information

For additional information on HP products and services, visit us at http://www.hp.com.

For more information, contact any of our worldwide sales offices or HP Channel Partners (in the U.S. call 1 800 637 7740).

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Technical information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.
© Hewlett-Packard Co., 1998
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