Unified Network Management of ISDN/SNA Networks (6-2)
18 July 1989
Today the dominant commercial data networking solution consists of IBM 3270 networks: terminals accessing mainframe hosts via cluster controllers and FEPs. This article will discuss one way to introduce ISDN technology into these popular networks with minimum disruption and maximum benefits. The benefits of ISDN solutions include: integration of voice and data over common building wiring, elimination of any distance limitation between terminals and controllers, dynamic mapping of terminals to controllers' ports (to share resources and simplify moves and changes), and the introduction of `smarter` 3270-terminals with integrated voice/data and application logic. These benefits are made possible by upgrading today's 3270 equipment to ISDN compatibility, and by putting an ISDN switch or network between the terminals and controllers.