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This section describes the hardware and software, on the IBM host and the HP 3000, required to run SNA IMF.

IBM Host Hardware Requirements

SNA IMF requires the following IBM host hardware

  • An IBM host can be any IBM System/370-compatible computer that supports the IBM 3270 family of terminals and printers, such as a System/370, 30xx, 43xx, or compatible processor.

An IBM host can also be an IBM AS/400, System/36, or System/38.

NOTE: When you configure an AS/400, System/36, or System/38 to communicate with SNA IMF, you must configure the device type for LU.T2 sessions as 3277, not 3278.

Also, the UNBIND option in the PTCONFIG file must be set to NO (the default)

  • An IBM 37xx Communications Controller that supports an IBM 3274 Cluster Controller with attached IBM 3278 display stations and IBM 3287 printers. The 37xx must support an SNA line.

IBM Host Software Requirements

SNA IMF requires the following IBM host software:

  • Multiple Virtual Storage (MVS) or Disk Operating System/Virtual Storage Extended (DOS/VSE) operating system.

  • Advanced Communications Function/Virtual Telecommunications Access Method (ACF/VTAM).

  • Advanced Communications Function/Network Control Program (ACF/NCP).

  • IBM 3270 host applications such as TSO, CICS, and IMS.

NOTE: HP supports certain versions, releases, modifications, and Program Temporary Fix (PTF) levels of the above software. Your HP representative can determine whether SNA IMF can be supported with your particular configuration.

HP 3000 Hardware Requirements

SNA IMF requires the following HP 3000 hardware:

  • For SNA IMF/XL: An HP 3000 Series 9xx computer system with a PSI card.

  • For SNA IMF/V: an HP 3000 Series 37, 39, 40, 42, 44, 48, 58, 64, 68, or 70 computer system with an INP card and the following memory requirements: nine Segmented Library (SL) segments, including six Code Segment Table (CST) entries. Your HP representative can help you estimate your system memory requirements.

  • The SNA IMF/V memory requirement is a superset of the IMF/3000 memory requirement. IMF/3000 requires four SL segments, including one CST entry. If you are migrating from IMF/3000 to SNA IMF/V, be sure to consider the SL segments and CST entries no longer required for IMF/3000 when calculating your SNA IMF/V memory requirement.

  • The HP terminals and printers used for emulation are connected through one of the following:

  • Datacommunications and Terminal Controller (DTC) (MPE XL only) or

  • Asynchronous Data Communications Controller (ADCC) (MPE V only) or

  • Asynchronous Terminal Processor (ATP) (MPE V only) or

  • Multipoint Terminal Software (MTS) communication line (MPE V only) or

  • X.25 Packet Assembler/Disassembler (PAD) or

  • DS Network Services HP 3000 communications link (HP 3000 to HP 3000 only) or

  • HP Network Services (NS 3000/V) communications link (HP 3000 to HP 3000 only).

NOTE: For SNA IMF/XL, Pass Thru is supported only on terminals connected to a Datacommunications and Terminal Controller (DTC).
  • A data communications line (switched or leased) between the HP 3000 and the host.

  • A block mode terminal supported by VPLUS for Node Management Services. See the SNA Link Services Reference Manual or the SNA Link/XL Node Manager's Guide for descriptions of NMS screens produced by VPLUS

NOTE: You may use Pass Thru with any of the printers listed in Appendix C “Pass Thru Terminal and Printer Specifications” to emulate an IBM 3287 printer. However, you cannot use a printer that is attached directly to an HP 23xx, 262x, 264x, or 700/9x terminal. Pass Thru requires that a printer be configured into MPE as a system printer. On MPE V, a system printer is directly connected through a port to the HP 3000; on MPE XL, a system printer is connected to the HP 3000 through a DTC.

HP 3000 Software Requirements

SNA IMF requires the following HP 3000 software:

  • The HP 3000 Multiprogramming Executive (MPE V or MPE/XL) operating system.

  • SNA IMF/V or SNA IMF/XL.

  • SNA Link/V, SNA/SDLC Link/XL, or SNA/X.25 Link/XL.

Language Support

Application programs that call SNA IMF intrinsics can be coded in the following languages:

  • BASIC

  • COBOL

  • COBOL II

  • FORTRAN

  • Pascal

  • SPL

  • C (SNA IMF/XL only)

When using no-wait MPE I/O, application programs must be coded in COBOL II, FORTRAN, Pascal, SPL, or C. Some of the intrinsics used with no-wait I/O return a functional value, pass parameters by value, allow a variable number of parameters, and set condition codes. Neither COBOL nor BASIC has these capabilities.

NOTE: If you are using an MPE XL system, be sure that your application programs that call SNA IMF intrinsics are in compatibility mode. SNA IMF/XL intrinsics and Pass Thru currently run only in compatibility mode.

The Communications Link

Data communications occurs over either a switched or a non-switched line. The line protocol is SDLC multipoint (non-contention). Connection to the line is through a modem that you must obtain and install. You must ensure that modems at the HP 3000 end and at the IBM host end are compatible with each other and properly configured.

SNA IMF can use the same modem and INP or PSI as other SNA Services. Also, multiple services can run concurrently using the same communications line. The communications line between the HP 3000 and the host is configured on the mainframe end for a Type 2 node. You can find configuration information in the HP SNA Products: Manager's Guide.

Transmission can occur at speeds of up to 64K bps on MPE XL, or up to 56K bps on MPE V.

CAUTION: Hewlett-Packard has not verified the SNA IMF product with all possible combinations of host system software releases. We are continually certifying with new host system software releases. Check with your Hewlett-Packard representative for the most up-to-date list.

Hewlett-Packard does not require that the customer run on one of the verified versions. However, not doing so applies limits to Hewlett-Packard's liability in addition to the normal limits. Because of the certification problems imposed by the host system versions, Hewlett-Packard must restrict its support policy in the following ways. The resolution of all problems will fall into one of the categories listed below:

  • If a problem is caused by incorrect operation of the Hewlett-Packard product, Hewlett-Packard will repair the product.

  • If a problem is caused by incorrect operation at the host, Hewlett-Packard may require that the user change to a known working version of the software or may elect to change the Hewlett-Packard product to conform to the situation.

  • As always, Hewlett-Packard will in good faith attempt to solve the problem with the customer.

NOTE: Only one SNA IMF control unit at a time may be configured to operate over a point-to-point line. However, multipoint lines can support multiple control units (one control unit per remote drop).
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