Hardware Components on Peer-to-Peer Networks

A typical APPN network is composed of several different devices, such as IBM host computers or personal computers connected to one or more LANs, as illustrated in Figure A.6.

The peer-oriented model can be employed within many different environments. The AS/400 midrange computer, because of its popularity and primary use of APPN, is the host that is most often associated with APPN and the peer-oriented networking model. Modern mainframe systems are beginning to support APPN as well.

Enlarge figure

Figure A.6 APPN Network Components

An APPN hardware component can be any device on the APPN network that can function as a PU type 2.1 node. PU 2.1, described later in this appendix, is an upgrade and extension of PU type 2 used in hierarchical networks. With the appropriate software, the following hardware components can be configured as PU 2.1 nodes:

• AS/400 computers
• Mainframes
• Workstation computers
• Routers

© 1985-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.