IBM SNA Interoperability Concepts

NetView Management Architecture

As shown in Figure A.11, in a traditional SNA management environment, NetView is a centralized management model that specifies three points of network management control:

The Focal Point
Entry Points
Service Points

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Figure A.11 NetView Network Management Control Points

Focal Point Serves as the central point in the network that collects, analyzes, and stores network management data. This is also the point where network administrators can issue commands in response to network management issues. IBM NetView and compatible network management products can serve as the SNA network focal point. In hierarchical SNA networks, the focal point is typically implemented in a mainframe system. In APPN networks, one or more nodes can serve as focal points.

Entry Points Implemented in SNA devices to serve as distributed points of control for SNA resources. An entry point gathers information about itself (the SNA device) or about a group of SNA devices, and forwards that information to the focal point. Most IBM SNA network devices can function as entry points.

Service Points Serve as distributed points of control for hardware or software resources that are not specifically designed for the SNA environment. Service points gather information about non-SNA resources and forward that information to the focal point. Service points can also receive commands from a focal point to be executed on non-SNA resources. As such, service points act as gateways, translating network management information between SNA resources and non-SNA resources.

Since introducing the original version of NetView, IBM has expanded the NetView management model to include hierarchies of nested focal points and distributed collection points. In recent years, IBM has made efforts to upgrade its network management strategy to a more open, enterprise-wide approach that embraces modern, distributed computing platforms such as Windows 2000.

For information about how SNA Server communicates with IBM NetView, see "Interoperability with IBM Host Systems" in this book.