IBM SNA Interoperability Concepts
IBM SNA Interoperability Concepts |
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The construction of a hierarchical SNA network begins with its hardware components. Each hardware component is distinguished by a node type, which corresponds to a position in the SNA hierarchy and identifies its relationships to other hardware components on the network. Table A.1 defines SNA hardware components. Figure A.2 illustrates the hierarchical relationships between these components.
Table A.1 Hardware Components on a Hierarchical SNA Network
| Hardware Component | Node |
Function |
|---|---|---|
| Mainframe | Type 5 host node | Core component of a hierarchical network. Runs the centralized processing applications that are made available to users on the SNA network. |
| Front-end processor (FEP) | Type 4 node | Generally dedicated to the control of communication from the network to the mainframe. Offloads many network communication processes that would otherwise consume valuable mainframe processing resources. Also called a communications controller. |
| Cluster controller | Type 2 node | Controls a group, or cluster, of end-user terminals and printers. Often located at remote sites, connecting to the FEP over WAN links. |
| End-user components | Peripheral nodes | Terminals and printers attached to the cluster controller that are used to access, display, and print mainframe application data. |
Figure A.2 Hierarchy of SNA Hardware Components
Note
Some modern mainframe host systems can also support peer-to-peer networking functions. In such environments, type 2.1 (peer-oriented) end-user nodes can also be used.
