Advanced Peer-to-Peer Networking ends the tyranny of the 370 host in SNA networks
IBM says that many of the advances in its recent networking announcements are made possible by Advanced Peer-to-Peer Networking, which reduces the amount of configuration information needed and determines the most efficient route for exchanging data within networks. Networking Services/2 implements APPN for OS/2 and IBM says that it makes it easier for PS/2 users to build networks of workstations integrated with mid-range and mainframe computers. It treats them as peers in a network, enabling customers to access data located anywhere, and Networking Services/2 also speeds the transfer of data across the network, enabling customers to use the same application programs on different computers. Other key products announced by IBM are the 3174 Establishment Controller APPN and Peer Communication licensed internal code feature; NetView Distribution Manager/2; NetView Distribution Manager Release 3 for Multiple Virtual Storage; and Teleprocessing Network Simulator 3.2. IBM says it will provide public information on the specifications of SNA, and make available details on the implementation of APPN for OS/2, OS/400 and other entry points in a network. This will make it possible for other vendors to develop systems that can communicate with APPN networks, and four companies – Apple Computer, Inc, Novell Inc, Siemens Nixdorf and Systems Strategies Inc, a subsidiary of Nynex Corp have obtained the specifications already and are announcing their plans to support APPN in future products (CI No 1,626). Also, American Management Systems Inc, where IBM is a sherholder, has announced an application program that exploits the new techniques for communication between application programs on a network.
SAA Networking Services/2 Version 1
SAA Networking Services/2 Version 1 consists of APPN, Advanced Program-to-Program Communications, APPC, and the Common Program Interface for Communications, an interface that defines a method to develop APPC applications with a common, format for all IBM computing environments. The combination of APPC, also known as LU6.2, with APPN, supports a distributed application environment in which applications can request services from each other. CPI-C, available for VM, is being made available for OS/2, so that applications can be used on PS/2s as well as on AS/400s and as System 390s. IBM has added APPN features to the 3174 Establishment Controller, extending its customary role of enabling workstations to communicate with host computers. The 3174 Controller and the Peer Communication licensed internal code feature can route traffic among workstations using Networking Services/2 in a Token-Ring local area network or attached by coax cable. In addition, the APPN features announced on OS/2 and the 3174 today will be used by the IBM Information Network. NetView Distribution Manager for OS/2 and the new release of NetView Distribution Manager for MVS, are said to make it easier for managers to send data, install system and application software and perform upgrades automatically on workstations throughout the network from a mainframe or a server throughout a workgroup.
SAA Networking Services/2
Systems Application Architecture Networking Services/2 Version 1 is claimed to bring the performance and dynamic routing advantages of Advanced Peer-to-Peer Networking to OS/2 users seeking to integrate workstations on a local area network into a larger enterprise network. With SAA Networking Services/2 IBM says that customers can configure networks more quickly, run applications with the APPC feature twice as fast as in a local area network, transfer APPC applications easily across local area networks or across SNA, and have local area networks participate in APPN networks. SAA Networking Services/2 brings both end-node support and network-node support to OS/2 workstations. The first eliminates the need to define the location of APPC applications every time a new workstation is added or moved, and the network node maintains a database of cu
rrent network structure and dynamically updates it as changes are made to the network. Networking Services/2’s other features include Node Definition File, which enables an administrator to circulate new configuration and resource information to all the other workstations in the network with a single ASCII file. Also, there is an Application Programming Interface for configuration and network management that enables administrators to dynamically reconfigure networks for temporary changes. Parallel Transmission Group Support is said to improve system availability during link failure by enabling the administrator to define two or more links to an adjacent node. Finally, there is distribution of data with a single call, instead of the three used formerly to enhance perf-ormance and simplify application development.
NetView Distribution Manager
Administrators of OS/2 local area networks can use NetView Distribution Manager/2 on an OS/2 micro to distribute and install programs and upgrades to both MS-DOS and OS/2 micro on the local area network. NetView Distribution Manager Release 3 for MVS is used to centrally manage a large SNA net-work, and it can send and install software or files on personal computers or distributed systems anywhere in a network. When NetView Distribution Manager Release 3 is used with Version 2, software and files can be distributed to any OS/2 machine connected to a host mainframe using APPC communication protocols. Both new products help keep track of installed software at each connected device, whether it originates from the host or the micro, and also can be used automatically to collect information from specified sites throughout the network. The Teleprocessing Network Simulator Version 3 Release 2, enhanced to support SNA extensions, is claimed to be easier to use, boosts end-user productivity and improves network and terminal testing capabilities. Licences for SAA Networking Services/2 Version 1 are $200 for one licence and $150 for each additional licence. The product will be generally available from March 29 this year.
