System Network Architecture

System Network Architecture (SNA) by IBM is a suite of protocols mainly used with IBM mainframe and AS/400 computers. Two SNA protocols are:

• APPC - Advanced Peer-to-Peer Communications provides peer to peer services at the transport and session layer.
• APPN - Advanced Peer-to-Peer Networking supports the computer connections at the network and transport layers.

Microsoft produced the SNA Server so PC networks could connect with SNA networks.

SNA Layers

SNA has its own network model which is: Physical Data link - Uses protocols such as token-ring or Synchronous Data Link Control (SDLC). Path Control - Performs routing, division, and re-assembly of data packets. Transmission - Connection software Data flow - Prevents data overflows by monitoring and handling traffic Presentation - Handles interfaces to applications Transaction - Provides an interface for applications to use network services SNA Network Devices host systems terminals Output devices Communications controllers Cluster controllers - Allow many devices to connect through them. They connect ot a host or communications controller.

SNA Network Categories

• Nodes
  • Type 2 - PCs, terminals and printers
  • Type 4 - Communications controllers
  • type 5 - Host computers used to manage the network
• Data links - Connection between combinations of hosts, cluster controllers, or nodes.

Possible SNA communications architectures

• SDLS - Synchronous Data Link Control
• BSC - Binary Synchronous Communication sends bits in frames which are timed sequences of data.
• Token-ring
• X.25
• Ethernet
• FDDI

SNA units

NAU - Network Addressable Units

• LU - Logical Units are ports that users use to access network resources
  • Type 1 - An interactive batch session
  • Type 2 - An IBM 3270 terminal
  • Type 3 - An IBM 3270 printer
  • Type 6.2 - A program to program session
  • Type 7 - An IBM 5250 family session
• PU - Physical Units are a network device used to communicate with hosts.
  • Type 2 - Cluster controllers
  • Type 3 - Front end process
  • Type 5 - Host communications software

SNA software components

• SSCP - Systems Services Control Point manages all resources in the host's domain.
• NCP - Network Control Program performs routing, session management tasks. It runs in the communications controller. 

http://www.comptechdoc.org/independent/networking/guide/netsna.html