The IBM TCP/IP Connection - Issue 1992-01

The IBM TCP/IP Connection

April 10, 1992

Issue 92-01

The IBM TCP/IP Connection is published periodically by IBM's Networking and Systems Services and Support (NSSS) group in Raleigh, NC and edited for use in Canada by Networking Systems Marketing, IBM Canada Ltd. The intent of this newsletter is to publicize items of interest for both IBM and customer personnel who have an interest in TCP/IP. Articles from development, marketing, and users are all eligible for inclusion in future issues.

Introducing the IBM TCP/IP Connection
Network Systems Marketing and NS TCP/IP Development believe that 1992 will be a year of continued growth for TCP/IP and will present an opportunity to significantly increase business opportunities for IBM's TCP/IP products. The intent of The IBM TCP/IP Connection is to keep you and your customers informed about what we're doing to help make that happen. We hope you will read this newsletter and share anything applicable with your customers. We also hope that The IBM TCP/IP Connection, which we plan to publish on a regular basis, will become a vehicle for sharing your successes and experiences in the dynamic and exciting area of TCP/IP.

Client-Server Solutions for Today's Multivendor Environment
The needs of a new networking world of distributed computing and client-server architectures necessitates IBM's timely delivery of cohesive, comprehensive leadership solutions for multivendor, multiprotocol communications. IBM's family of TCP/IP offerings address many of these multivendor communications requirements.

IBM's TCP/IP support ranges from personal computers through host mainframes and includes IBM PC-DOS, OS/2, MVS, OS/400, VM, and the AIX family. The IBM TCP/IP Connection will periodically highlight members of IBM's TCP/IP product family and in this issue covers TCP/IP for VM Version 2 Release 2 and TCP/IP V2.0 for DOS.

TCP/IP for VM Version 2 Release 2
VM provides an excellent server base and a prime data repository. TCP/IP for VM can open lines of communication with multiple vendor networks. These networks or "islands of automation" become much more accessible with TCP/IP's suite of application and network protocols.

The IBM TCP/IP for VM product provides function for enabling and enhancing a VM host's participation in TCP/IP-based networks. With TCP/IP for VM, our customers obtain better access to data and applications residing either on a VM host or elsewhere in an internet network. The product enables client-server application relationships, providing services fundamental to operating a business while exploiting the TCP/IP suite of open network protocols.

TCP/IP Version 2 Release 2 for VM is the most recent release in the TCP/IP family of offerings and provides performance, function, and usability enhancements. Network performance and reliability is enhanced with IBM 3172 Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) support.

Functional enhancements were made to adapt to a changing network. VM's network management capabilities have been expanded to include Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) proxy agent support for the IBM 3172 Interconnect Controller. Other enhancements include; VM/ESA support to extend the range of supported environments, VM/XA exploitation of extended addressing, a new network database client-server system for remote SQL/DS queries, and SNAlink LU-0 full-duplex single session support. In addition, enhancements have been made to the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) and the Domain Name Server functions. Usability enhancements have also been made in the areas of installation, serviceability, and the Network File System (NFS) support.

TCP/IP for VM allows VM customers to participate in a multivendor network using a standardized set of application and network protocols. The application protocols enable users to send mail, transfer files, perform remote execution, access data or files remotely, perform remote printing, and develop TCP/IP applications. The network protocols supported include IBM Token-Ring, Ethernet LAN, IEEE 802.3 LAN, DDN (Defense Data Network) X.25, PDN (Public Data Network) X.25, and PC Network.

Attachments to the host mainframe for network access now include the RS/6000 Channel Attachment as well as the 3172 Interconnect Controller and the 8232 LAN Channel Station for LANs, the 37XX family of Communications Controllers for X.25 and SNA backbone transport, and HYPERchannel support from Network Systems Corporation.

For more information on TCP/IP Version 2 Release 2 for VM and its wealth of applications, programmer interfaces, and services, please refer to the product announcement letter #A91-1039, dated December 10, 1991.

TCP/IP V2.0 for DOS
IBM provides complete IBM and multi-vendor networking solutions with TCP/IP. This support ranges from personal computers through high-end host computers. This past October, IBM introduced it's newest TCP/IP workstation product, TCP/IP V2.0 for DOS. This new product provides an extensive set of TCP/IP protocols which will enable workstations with DOS to become an integral part of the corporate network.

With TCP/IP V2.0 for DOS, personal computers can communicate across IBM Token Ring, IBM PC Network, Ethernet V2, IEEE 802.3, SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol) to any other TCP/IP user in the network. In addition, X.25 support is available through a third party.

Being able to use multiple vendor equipment is valuable to an enterprise.TCP/IP for DOS allows an enterprise to use a variety of network adapters through the support of Network Device Interface Specification (NDIS) Packet Driver specification and the IBM PC LAN Support Program. With the LAN Support program, IBM's TCP/IP for DOS and Novell's(tm) Netware can coexist. TCP/IP V2.0 for DOS is also compatible with Microsoft(tm) Windows 3.0. and runs as an exclusive full screen DOS application.

User productivity can be enhanced with many of the TCP/IP for DOS functions. Users can access remote hosts through TELNET. Access to data on remote hosts is possible through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). A separately priced kit, the Network File Systems (NFS) client, allows users to access and manipulate files on NFS servers. Remote printing is possible with the Line Printer Requester (LPR) function. Users can perform mail functions using Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) and Post Office Protocol/2 (POP/2) to provide these services.

Users can also write distributed applications that can communicate with remote systems. The optional Programmer's Tool Kit includes Berkeley Socket Library V4.3, Remote Procedure Call (RPC) support and an FTP application programming interface.

TCP/IP for DOS provides the system administrator and the network administrator with tools to assist in the daily operation of the TCP/IP for DOS systems. It's IBM's intent to also provide Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) agent support.

TCP/IP V2.0 for DOS offers a comprehensive range of function ideally suited for the DOS environment and provides a very attractively priced solution for the TCP/IP desktop requirements. For more information please see the product announcement letter #A91-810, dated September 11, 1991. In addition, a Marketing Presentation Guide is available on MKTTOOLS and a Product Brochure(G221-4040) is available from POEMS.

TCP/IP Development Vendor Application Workshop
TCP/IP development is in the process of developing a workshop for our application vendors. If you know of any vendors that would like to attend the workshop or write an application for our TCP/IP products please contact Denise Wotovich at 8-444-2004 (WOTOVICH at RALVMG).

New TCP/IP Self Study Education Available for US M&S
This PC-based Self Study course is a comprehensive introduction to TCP/IP. The course will provide a thorough understanding of TCP/IP basics, including TCP/IP layers, protocols, and application usage. In addition, you will receive a background in the development of TCP/IP and learn about TCP/IP services, functions, and protocols specified at each of the layers. Examples of TCP/IP usage and the role it plays in corporate networks is provided. No specific IBM products are covered.

For a more detailed description and instructions to retrieve the course, please refer to the following course description on MSE; MultiVendor Interoperability TCP/IP Self Study, Course # RM20519H. A second course; MultiVendor Interoperability OSI Self Study, Course # RM20526H is also available through MSE.