Overview of Microsoft SNA Server

SNA Server provides you with a comprehensive solution to integrate heterogeneous networks and intranets with IBM mainframe, midrange, and AS/400 host systems, as illustrated in Figure 10.1. SNA Server is a Microsoft® BackOffice® application that runs on the Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Server operating system, providing advanced network, data, and application integration services.

SNA Server provides interoperability between host systems that run SNA or TCP/IP protocols. If your IBM host system runs SNA protocols, SNA Server provides network connectivity by acting as a secure, high performance gateway between heterogeneous clients and IBM host systems. Because SNA Server runs on Windows 2000, heterogeneous clients can connect to SNA Server through standard networking protocols such as TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, NetBEUI, Banyan VINES IP, AppleTalk, and Windows 2000 Routing and Remote Access service. SNA Server then completes the network connection to the mainframe or AS/400 system using standard IBM SNA protocols.

Once SNA or TCP/IP-based network connectivity is established, clients can use SNA Server's advanced host integration features to gain secure access to IBM host data, applications, and network services without leaving their familiar desktop or Web browser interface.

Figure 10.1 SNA Server Integrates Heterogeneous Networks with IBM Host Systems

The core of SNA Server's power is its ability to provide a wide range of host integration services. As such, SNA Server supports interoperability at each layer of the Windows 2000 interoperability model:

Network interoperability    Cross-platform network connectivity and protocols, security integration, and single sign-on. (Single sign-on allows users to log on once to access multiple servers, systems, or applications.)

Data access and integration    Transparent file transfer services, Universal Data Access technologies such as OLE DB and Open Database Connectivity (ODBC), and host data replication.

Application access and integration    Terminal access, integrated transaction services, Web-to-host integration, and messaging.

Network management integration    Integration between Windows 2000 network management services and IBM NetView–based management services.