Interoperability with IBM Host Systems
Interoperability with IBM Host Systems |
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The Microsoft Web-to-host model uses SNA Server to provide Web-to-host connectivity between an IBM host system and a Web server, such as IIS. In this model, as shown in Figure 10.32, Web browsers and servers communicate using the HTTP and TCP/IP protocols over the network. The Web server, in turn, communicates with SNA Server using a defined server interface, such as the Internet Server Application Programming Interface (ISAPI). The SNA Server–based computer then communicates with the host system using the SNA protocol over a defined connection.
Figure 10.32 Web-to-Host Communications
The components illustrated in Figure 10.32 might be deployed on one or more computers across your enterprise. For example, smaller enterprises might be able to deploy a Web server and SNA Server on the same Windows 2000 Server–based computer and still maintain the desired server response levels. As the number of server and connection requests increases, it is recommended that the Web server and SNA Server applications be installed on separate Windows 2000 Server–based computers.
IIS is the recommended Web server for Windows 2000 Server–based systems because of its tight integration with the management and administrative features of the operating system. Integration with Windows 2000 Server also lets you easily couple IIS with other BackOffice applications, such as SQL Server or Microsoft® Exchange Server, in order to Web-enable enterprise applications such as database access and e-mail.
