The IBM TCP/IP Connection - Issue 1992-02

May 15, 1992 Issue 92-02

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 in 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.

IBM TCP/IP AT INTEROP 92 SPRING
IBM will feature a wide variety of TCP/IP products at Interop 92 Spring, May 20-22, 1992 at the Washington D.C. Convention Center. Highlighted in the demonstration booth will be: The IBM exhibit will provide an excellent opportunity to see IBM's TCP/IP products and emerging technologies. We hope to see you there.
 * TCP/IP Offload Technology demo
 * AIX NetView/6000(TM)
 * NetView V2R3 Graphics
 * Technology demo of the new TCP/IP for Microsoft Windows(TM) prototype
 * IBM's TCP/IP for DOS product
 * IBM's TCP/IP for OS/2 product
 * FDDI Concentrator technology

3174 TCP/IP TELNET CLIENT
In today's world of multiple vendors and multiple protocols, SNA networks and TCP/IP networks are often running side by side. Many users have a need to access applications in both networks, but do not want the inconvenience of two separate display terminals - one for each network.

To address this need IBM can now supply a TCP/IP Telnet client solution via the IBM 3174. Customers can provide their end users with access to a TCP/IP host from a 3270 terminal or ASCII terminal, while still providing access to SNA or ASCII applications from the same terminal.

IBM has announced TCP/IP Telnet client support for the 3174. This new Configuration Support-C function (RPQ 8Q0935) allows 3270 CUT-mode terminals and ASCII display stations attached to a 3174 to communicate with TCP/IP servers using Telnet.

For additional information see announcement letter A92-236 dated March 25, 1992. A proposal insert; "TCP/IP for the 3174 Establishment Controller", is available on MKTTOOLS.

CLIENT-SERVER SOLUTIONS FOR TODAY'S MULTIVENDOR ENVIRONMENT - TCP/IP VERSION 1.2 FOR OS/2
The IBM TCP/IP Connection will periodically highlight members of IBM's TCP/IP product family and in this issue covers TCP/IP Version 1.2 for OS/2.

TCP/IP Version 1.2 for OS/2 interoperates with IBM's TCP/IP products for VM, MVS, DOS, AS/400, System/88 and the AIX family as well as with other vendors products that provide TCP/IP support.

TCP/IP Version 1.2 for OS/2 was announced in September, 1991 and shipped to customers in October. The product provides upgrades to function previously provided in TCP/IP V1.1 and 1.0 for OS/2 as well as support of OS/2 Standard Edition V1.3, Extended Edition V1.3, and OS/2 V2.0. In addition there are performance enhancements and new functions which further expand IBM's business solutions for customers in a multivendor environment.

Functions have been added to TCP/IP Version 1.2 for OS/2, with the goal of end user productivity in mind. Included are: the Network File System (NFS) server which allows users to share files with each other, much the same way that Lan Server/Requester works. NFS also allows a user with a UNIX machine to share files with an OS/2 machine. TCP/IP Version 1.2 now supports Version 11, Release 4 (X11R4) of the X Window server function. The X Window System is a distributed, window-based graphics system developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In addition, the File Transfer Protocol Presentation Manager (FTPPM) now uses standard presentation manager input and output conventions to perform the functions of the FTP client. FTPPM allows simultaneous connections to remote hosts within a single session. Also new is the capability of FTP to support the transfer of High Performance File System (HPFS) files. INETD is now available which is a super server that allows users to start multiple servers from a single OS/2 session, and use the applicable server when needed.

A number of features have been enhanced which can simplify the process of installation and customization. The Installation Configuration Automation Tool (ICAT) has been updated to allow configuration of the new features of this program. PMANT--TN3270 has been enhanced to allow the user to modify the PMANT keyboard definitions and to select from any of the VIO fonts that are available on the display adapter.

TCP/IP Version 1.2 for OS/2 has been designed to improve productivity in the user application development environment with support of the Multi-thread programming feature of the OS/2 operating system in Socket libraries as well as support for the dynamic linking feature of OS/2. A new FTP API provides programs with the capability to query the working directory on a remote host and query the operating system of the remote host.

Connectivity and networking enhancements have been included in TCP/IP Version 1.2 for OS/2. The Telnet server has improved performance. The Telnet Linemode client support has been enhanced to take advantage of the Extended Networking package (X.25 support) that is new to this program and can reduce the amount of network traffic for Extended Networking (X.25) and SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol). Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) now supports MIB II (RFC 1213) and in addition can now act as both a managing system and a managed system.

Other features include LPR/LPD remote printer support, Remote Procedure Call (RPC), Internet Protocol (IP) over X.25 Support, Network Device Interface Specification (NDIS) Support, and VT220 Emulation.

New packaging options are now available for TCP/IP V1.2 for OS/2 providing greater flexibility and cost effectiveness for customers with different networking needs. In addition to a Base kit there are options which include the Network File System (NFS), the Extended Networking (X.25), and X Window System kits as well as a Programmers' Tool kit, and a Source kit. An Upgrade kit is also available for customers that have OS/2 TCP/IP Version 1.0 or 1.1.

For more information on TCP/IP V1.2 for OS/2 please refer to the product announcement letter A91-809. A proposal insert (G221-3179) is available from IBM Publications. A presentation guide for TCP/IP V1.2 for OS/2 is also available on MKTTOOLS.

MESSAGES AND CODES RETRIEVABILITY - TCP/IP FOR VM & MVS
Since many of the referenced messages and codes in the TCP/IP for VM and MVS: Messages and Codes manuals are unnumbered, customers have reported usability and retrievability problems when researching TCP/IP system information.

The Information Design and Development department in Research Triangle Park, NC is aware of the problem and is working on a solution to the usability issues.

In the interim, those customers who have the BookManager product can use BookManager's search capability to locate the required messages and codes within the softcopy versions of the manuals. By doing a word or phrase search, BookManager quickly finds all occurrences of that word or phrase.