Updated: March 15,1996

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Multi-Platform Access to Mainframe and AS\400® Systems and Applications-Contents

Overview
SNA Server and the Benefits of Using SNA Gateways
SNA Server Integrates Heterogeneous Environments
Eicon Technology Solutions for Microsoft SNA Server
Summary

Overview

As organizations migrate from older networking architectures to a modern client-server environment, the role played by centralized SNA host systems is changing. Where the host application was central to corporate computing in past years, host information is now the most important element of distributed corporate computing. This shift in roles brings about significant changes in the requirements of client-side emulation software. Users now want to retrieve host-based data from a variety of sources and process it on increasingly powerful clients. This local processing phenomena dictates that network clients are required to provide vastly more capability than merely host emulation. Rather, they are called upon to serve as a conduit for central data, making requested data available to desktop applications for processing.

Centralized Data Repository for Client-Server Environments

Mainframe and midrange computers excel at the storage, processing, and management of large volumes of data for many concurrent users. As such, they are ideally suited to the role of central data repository. The host systems can disseminate information from a central source to a large number of remote users simultaneously and they are equipped with security features to ensure proprietary information remains secret. Their high-availability and optional fault-tolerance makes them excellent as reliable central stores, and their standardized management structure means they can be easily serviced by expert personnel should the need arise.

Distributed Access to Resources

But while the data is centralized, access to this data must be available to an increasingly global market. Multinational corporations need to retrieve data around the clock from a broad spectrum of remote and local locations. Access to host-based resources must be both centralized for management, and distributed for availability.

• Regardless of connection type.

Server connections to hosts must be highly scalable and support a broad range of host links, network protocols, and clients. This allows them to use traditional SNA links like SDLC, as well as newer technologies like Frame Relay and ISDN. Further, organizations should be able to fully utilize their current and planned LAN-based infrastructures by employing any variety of network protocols like TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, NetBEUI, and remote access connections.

• Regardless of host type.

Client applications must be able to consolidate information from a variety of hosts securely and present a controlled set of host resident information to end users. With a GUI-based front end, intelligent client software can enforce host security and merge authorized access data from multiple hosts into one application.

• With adequate capacity.

The desktop LAN environments at large organizations which require access to SNA host-based applications is increasing. This growth creates the need for an integration solution with high capacity and the ability to accommodate future growth. In large client-server implementations, the required number of LAN-to-mainframe sessions could be in the thousands. Based on current projections, this number is expected to grow over the next several years making capacity a key infrastructure issue for SNA host access.

A typical environment with connectivity to SNA-based applications

SNA Clients for Multiple Operating Systems

Large organizations typically employ a variety of desktop clients and network protocols throughout the organization. European offices may be using MS-DOS with a NetBEUI LAN; engineering may use Windows NT workstations with an NT Server based TCP/IP LAN. Client and network diversity is a fact of life that all network and MIS administrators have to deal with. A total solution has to take into account that host-based data has to be available to users independent of the client operating system and the network protocol The clients themselves must be available across a range of platforms - for example, OS/2, MS-DOS, Windows, Windows NT, and soon Windows 95.

Solutions from Eicon and Microsoft

Eicon Technology and Microsoft Corporation offer a series of products that provide unique, high productivity, and high capacity solutions across a broad range of operating systems and network protocols. The combination of Eicon Technology's family of SNA client software and Microsoft SNA Server create an unprecedented level of productivity and ease of use for access to SNA related mainframe and midrange systems.

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SNA Server and the Benefits of Using SNA Gateways

SNA Server Overview

SNA Server's client-server architecture allows for transport-independent host access using all popular LAN protocols.

Microsoft SNA Server is a LAN-to-SNA gateway that provides SNA communications for LAN-based services and multiple platform PC workstations running a variety of network protocols. SNA Server employs a client-server architecture that is tightly integrated with, and leverages the strengths of, Microsoft Windows NT Server. SNA Server can be configured as an IBM® PU 2.0, PU 2.1, APPN LEN node or support a DSPU. LU services provided are LU 0, 1,2,3 and LU 6.2. SNA API support is comprehensive with the inclusion of APPC, EHNAPPC, CPI-C, CSV, LUA/SLI, and ODBC/DRDA. SNA Server also supports TN3270 clients via the inclusion of a TN3270 server and provides for high speed file transfer through support of APPC File Transfer Protocol ( AFTP).

SNA Server allows for comprehensive, bi-directional SNA access while maintaining LAN protocol transport independence. All popular PC operating systems are supported including Windows NT Workstation, Windows, Windows for Workgroups, Windows 95, MS-DOS, OS/2, UNIX, and Apple Macintosh. Multiple network protocols including Novell IPX/SPX, TCP/IP, Banyan Vines IP, Named Pipes, AppleTalk and RAS are also supported.

Benefits of Using an SNA Gateway

The majority of large enterprises that employ mainframes and AS/400 systems generally possess a variety of LANs but do not use SNA gateways. Direct connection of PCs to mainframes and AS/400 systems remains the most popular connection scheme. Despite widespread acceptance, these approaches are expensive, waste resources on both ends, and are difficult to administer. The drawbacks of direct connections to SNA based systems are alleviated through the use of flexible and robust SNA gateways such as Microsoft SNA Server. SNA Server provides many significant advantages for the desktop user, LAN administrator and host administrator, when compared to connecting PCs directly to SNA host computers.

Benefits to the Desktop User

SNA Server increases stability, saves memory, and reduces complexity at the desktop by allowing the choice of only one protocol per desktop. In contrast, when connecting directly, the DLC (802.2/LLC) protocol is required for connection to the host, in addition to a LAN protocol, such as TCP/IP or IPX/SPX, or Banyan Vines, to connect to the file/print/database/mail/systems management server on the LAN.

• Increased stability and memory savings.
  • The DLC protocol is a terminate-and-stay-resident (TSR) program and thus requires a real mode NDIS or ODI driver. Eliminating real mode TSRs and drivers not only saves real mode memory, but can improve the stability of the desktop-most hangs on Windows happen during the interaction between real and protected modes.
  • Computers running Windows for Workgroups 3.11 or Windows 95 can use the fully protected mode NDIS or ODI protocol stacks.
• Reduced complexity.
  • IBM's DLC protocol (LAN Support program) only works with certain adapters and protocol stacks. Selecting compatible products and then creating and maintaining configurations that require concurrent SNA and LAN protocol support is excessively complex compared to an SNA Gateway.
• Increased LAN protocol choice.
  • Desktop users can select the LAN protocol that best suites their needs.
  • Complementary solutions provided by Microsoft business partners are written to the SNA Server client-server API and take full advantage of the protocol independence designed into the SNA Server client and server software.

Benefits to the LAN Administrator

SNA Server is designed to provide easier administration, greater security, and configuration flexibility. When connecting direct, each desktop must be configured individually with the host's network address, LU name, and XID. Whenever there's a change on the host side, such as the XID is updated, all desktops must be reconfigured. In large organizations, where thousands of desktop systems need access to host applications, reconfiguration of large desktop populations can be an overwhelming task. With SNA Server, there's nothing to configure at the client; all host changes can be tracked centrally by the LAN administrator through the SNA Server Admin tool.

Branch configuration - SNA Server provides the host link for remote clients. No configuration is required at the client desktops.

• SNA Server eases administration with built-in performance and troubleshooting tools. When all host-bound traffic is concentrated through SNA Server, the LAN administrator can use the performance monitoring, event logging, and tracing capabilities of the server platform. An individual desktop problem is easier to work around by simply assigning a new LU, while the administrator performs tracing and debugging at the server without interrupting other users or restarting the server.
• SNA Server provides integrated security for all users. The LAN administrator can control access to the host by using the integrated security features of Windows NT Server and SNA Server. In contrast, direct connection allows each desktop user to access the host by simply knowing the applicable host parameters. A gateway adds another level of flexible security.
• SNA Server provides exceptional configuration flexibility. SNA Server allows LAN administrators to configure and implement a variety of host connectivity options. SNA Server can be located at remote locations and use leased line or dialup SDLC, X.25, ISDN or Frame Relay connectivity to the host. This scenario is depicted in the branch configuration diagram on this page. Optionally, SNA Server can be located at or close to the host by employing direct channel attachment, Twinax, DFT, Token Ring, or Ethernet connections. This scenario is depicted in the centralized configuration diagram on the next page. The variety of host connectivity options allows administrators and solution providers to tailor the configuration to meet their needs.

Benefits to the Host Administrator

SNA Server reduces the frequency of VTAM® gen re-definitions, lessens host memory requirements, frees-up expensive host CPU cycles, saves network bandwidth, and provides more reliability than direct connect client configurations.

Centralized configuration - All host access is routed through SNA Server. SNA traffic is isolated to the data center while native LAN protocols are used on the corporate WAN.

• SNA Server reduces frequency of VTAM gens. SNA Server dramatically reduces (re)definition work on the host. With SNA Server, hundreds of users can be supported by defining a single PU or controller, instead of having to define one for each end user. Especially on mainframe systems, VTAM gens must be scheduled in advance with little margin for error due to the high costs and inevitable down time. Host administrators can rely on the end user definitions on the SNA Servers to minimize downtime and allow for more flexible changes at the gateway as demanded.
• SNA Server reduces host memory requirements. In the direct connection model, the hundreds of end user definitions are typically stored in resident memory on the host system, consuming expensive host resources. By assigning individual user accounts to host resources on the SNA Server machine, SNA Server allows memory savings to be realized on the host system, which can result in hardware savings and in improved host performance. Many large enterprises reach a point where they are forced to start using SNA gateways because they run out of physical address space for definitions in VTAM.
• SNA Server allows expensive host CPU cycles to be focused on their primary objective-running applications. If you have direct connections to the host, each of these connections must be managed individually by the host's control software, consuming expensive CPU cycles. Some studies have shown that you can free up as much as 30% of an AS/400's CPU simply by switching from direct connections to a gateway approach. In the mainframe environment, IBM invented the front-end-processor (FEP) because host performance was substantially degraded maintaining a large number of network connections. In fact, a FEP can be considered a gateway and a channel-attached SNA Server can augment, or replace, FEP hardware plus the associated annual software maintenance fees.
• SNA Server saves network bandwidth. Instead of the host having to poll all desktops individually to maintain direct connections (even when there's no activity), the host has to maintain only one connection when using a gateway. This can dramatically reduce network traffic and allow better network performance as well as reduce session time-out problems.
• SNA Server provides higher reliability. SNA Server overcomes the typical objections to using gateways through its excellent stability, hot backup, and load balancing features. In addition, because it is integrated with Windows NT Server, SNA Server can provide the scalability of symmetric multi-processing and offer more raw CPU power than any other SNA gateway.

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SNA Server Integrates Heterogeneous Environments

Most enterprise environments include desktops running Windows, Windows for Workgroups, Windows NT Workstation, Windows 95, MS-DOS, Apple Macintosh, OS/2 and UNIX, with a networking mix that contains IPX/SPX, TCP/IP, NetBEUI, Banyan VINES IP, and AppleTalk in addition to SNA protocols. IS directors wish they had a single solution to provide IBM mainframe and AS/400 data to every desktop. Corporate data on the host systems must be made available to users in the simplest and most efficient manner. The days of hard copy reports and hand keying of information back into disparate systems are long over. On-line access and the sophisticated integration of enterprise data offered by client-server technologies are demanded by end users.

Microsoft SNA Server provides the solution for this heterogeneous reality, while offering the extensibility demanded by the ever-changing computing environment. Large enterprises and small to medium organizations no longer have to worry about how users will access host data across the network today or tomorrow.

Flexible SNA gateway and intelligent client solutions for today's heterogeneous environments.

Integrating LAN and SNA Protocols Made Easy

Microsoft SNA Server provides a single access method for all IBM host systems by solving the problem of mixing disparate LAN and SNA protocols on a single network. Due to SNA Server's extensive support for SNA and LAN protocols, in most cases LAN administrators do not have to make any changes to their current network structure. It fits right in. Whether organizations are using protocols such as TCP/IP or IPX or need to support Banyan VINES IP, AppleTalk, NetBEUI or remote dial-up clients, SNA Server can meet the challenge. SNA Server extends access to all SNA functions to all network clients through its protocol-independent client-server architecture. The result is desktop users can use their favorite host access product no matter which client operating system or networking architecture is currently in place or planned for the future.

Scalable Platform from 1 to 10,000 Host Sessions

Since SNA Server is an application integrated with Windows NT Server, it can grow with organizations as they increase the number of users connecting through the gateway, the number of host connections, or the types of applications that use gateway services.

• Server capacity. SNA Server provides the highest capacity of any SNA gateway
  • Each SNA Server can support up to 2,000 users and a total of 10,000 sessions.
  • Each SNA Server can connect to up to 250 mainframes, AS/400s or downstream devices.
• SNA Server is designed for growth. SNA Server can take advantage of the newest hardware platforms for best performance.
  • Intel x86
  • PentiumTM
  • MIPS®
  • Alpha AXPTM
  • PowerPCTM

SNA Server is also architected to take advantage of multi-processor versions of each of these systems. Running SNA Server on a multiprocessor system can dramatically improve performance in cases of high load or heavy traffic.

• Integration with Windows NT Server. SNA Server takes advantage of the advanced features in Microsoft Windows NT Server.
  • NT domain security
  • Performance monitoring
  • Event logging and auditing
  • Multi-threading
  • Virtual memory management
• Large number of server-based applications run on SNA Server. SNA Server's APIs and NT Server's Win32 APIs are fully documented and available in the public domain. SNA Server supports an ever-increasing number of Microsoft and third-party host-to-LAN services running on the SNA Server machine.

Hot Backup and Load Balancing

In any large IS environment, an individual gateway can be viewed as a single point of failure. For mission-critical use, Microsoft recommends a minimum of two SNA Servers to provide fault tolerance. Up to 50 SNA Servers can be grouped together to provide load balancing and hot backup, allowing sessions to be automatically rerouted to a backup gateway should the primary gateway or host link fail. The load balancing and hot backup features work both for mainframe connections and AS/400 connections-and both for dependent and independent LUs. For highest speed mainframe connectivity, SNA Server works with direct channel attached technology such as Barr System's Channel Adapter or Bus-Tech Inc.'s 3172-NT. Each of these devices can provide host access at speeds many times greater than the fastest direct LAN attachments.

Administration

A single Windows NT Workstation or Windows NT Server, located anywhere in the corporate network can configure and manage all of the SNA Servers in the network using graphical tools that are included with the product. If the servers reside at a central location, the IS staff can be responsible for the administration and monitoring of all host access. This can also be accomplished from the IBM host console because of the integration of SNA Server with NetView facilities.

• IBM NetView Alerts. SNA Server can be configured to provide custom alerts to NetView in addition to informational messages and alerts to any Windows NT Server in the domain .
• IBM NetView RunCmd. NetView RunCmd support enables the NetView operator to directly control all functions on the Windows NT Server running SNA Server. The SNA Server RunCmd service is a daemon service running on the server which extends access of the Windows NT command line to NetView.

Licensing Flexibility

For maximum acquisition and implementation flexibility, SNA Server licenses can be purchased using two different models.

• Client-based.
  • In this model, you purchase as many server licenses as you want SNA Servers, and a client license for each desktop which can access any of the SNA Servers in your network.
  • On a large network with multiple servers, this model provides substantial cost savings. Any additional cost is accrued through the addition of the server license- other gateway vendors often require twice the total cost of the first server to gain fault tolerance.
  • As in the "per server" model, increasing your capacity is as easy as purchasing additional client licenses. You can move at your own pace as users are added and your network grows.
• Server-based.
  • In this model, you purchase an SNA Server license and as many client licenses as there are concurrent desktops accessing the server.
  • To add additional desktops, simply purchase additional client licenses.
  • There is no requirement to purchase "packs" of licenses beyond what you need.

Each of these models has specific advantages when implementing SNA Server solutions. The client based approach is more desirable in multiple server environments requiring extra capacity, load balancing or hot backup.

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Eicon Technology Solutions for Microsoft SNA Server

Eicon Technology offers a number of connectivity solutions that are used in conjunction with Microsoft SNA Server. The Eicon Technology Access product family is a series of integrated display and print emulators that consists of:

• Mainframe Access Products
  • Access for Windows 3270
  • Access for Windows NT 3270
  • Access for OS/2 3270
  • Access for DOS 3270
• AS/400 Access Products
  • Access for Windows 5250
  • Access for Windows NT 5250
  • Access for OS/2 5250
  • Access for DOS 5250
• Combination Product (Mainframe and AS/400)
  • Eicon Universal Access

The diagram below illustrates a connectivity overview of the Eicon Technology and SNA Server solution environment.

GUI-Based Product Common Features

Intelligent clients allow concurrent 3270 and 5250 access.

The GUI-based products of the Eicon Access product family share many common capabilities . All of these products have unique, powerful features that set them apart from the competition. The Access for Windows (AFW), AFW NT and OS/2 products support the same user interface, making them easier to use and support in large multiple operating system environments. Whether users require 5250 or 3270 emulation on Windows, Windows NT or OS/2 platforms, Access emulations provide a standard interface for host connectivity.

Additional common features like Access Softkeys, Hot Spots, customizable menus, macro recording, and a range of other features shield users from the complexities typically associated with host access. In short, the Access product family offers organizations a long term connectivity solution that yields reduced operational, training, and support costs.

Some of the common features in the Access product family include:

Access for Windows with four tiled multi-host display sessions open

• Multiple-Session Workspace Organization. The GUI-based products excel at handling multiple session environments. Support for the Multiple Document Interface (MDI) allows users to arrange up to 32 windowed sessions concurrently within the Access desktop. Fonts in windowed sessions resize automatically, allowing full view of each session. For those who prefer the Single Document Interface (SDI), AFW is flexible enough to allow up to 12 separate copies of the program to be run effectively.
• Emulation Application Integration. For organizations requiring connectivity to both mainframe and midrange hosts, the 3270 and 5250 emulation applications can be integrated into one, unified application, saving on disk space and memory consumed. This gives users rapid host access without having to switch between applications. Further, cut and paste operations between sessions are enhanced through the use of a single application for both emulations. This integrated desktop provides up to 32 concurrent mainframe and midrange sessions from the same application window.
• Full Screen Mode. The Windows-based emulations support a unique full screen mode allowing the desktop screen to appear exactly like a standard IBM terminal. By eliminating Microsoft Windows and Windows NT menus and borders, the available workspace increases, so that users can comfortably see exactly what they are working on. At the touch of a key, users can gain access to menus and stay in full screen mode, or switch between full screen and windowed modes.
• Administrator's Facilities. With LAN File Server Installation, it is not necessary to locally install the Access products on each workstation. This not only saves time for the network administrator, but increases available disk space. A single file server installation can provide access to all of the PCs attached to the network. Further, AFW 3270/5250 provide a utility to customize menu options for individuals or groups of individuals. This allows the system administrator to control the end-user's access or use of specific menus and menu items. AFW even provides for future migration to another version with its Un-Install Utility that cleanly removes existing Access software from .INI files and system registries.

For those international implementations, AFW system administrators can select a language in which to operate and make additional languages available to their users on the LAN.

• Programming Interfaces. APIs allow for the development of customized front ends and client/server applications as well as the exchange of information among applications. The Access family includes the industry-standard WinHLLAPI (Windows and Windows NT only) and EHLLAPI interfaces, as well as a rich DDE interface and Eicon Technology's AFWAPI interface. These are supplemented by sample programs, test programs with source code, and a comprehensive on-line programmer's reference guide. Access for Windows also includes support for compiled ProMacros from Access Tools for ProMacro (sold separately).

The Access for Windows session configurator dialog box

• Session-Based Configuration and Selection. When opening host sessions in large environments, users typically have to scroll through a long list of connection types that may not be relevant to them. With the session-based configuration of Eicon Windows-based emulators, system administrators can choose to install only the drivers for connections that end users require. This provides advantages to the end user in time savings and the system administrator in the ability to determine which connections an end user should have access to.
• Print Preview for Full-Page Analysis. This feature allows the user to preview the whole page and decide whether to queue it to the printer or to discard it. Allowing the user to preview a full page of text or graphics reduces printing traffic on the LAN, in addition to saving paper and time.

Access for Windows Features

The Access for Windows 3270 (AFW 3270) and Access for Windows 5250 (AFW 5250) products possess some unique features that provide the Eicon emulation products with superior price/ performance.

AFW 3270

• Graphics Support. The 3270 emulations support All Points Addressable (APA) Host Graphics allowing the host to off-load drawing tasks to the PC's processor. These emulations also support older host applications that require emulation of S3G terminals using Programmed Symbols that are downloaded from the host. This support provides end users with access to SAS 6.0.8 and GDDM applications on IBM mainframe systems.

TN3270 support provides wide area access via TCP/IP

AFW 3270 and TN3270

The Access for Windows 3270 product supports direct TCP/IP access to Microsoft SNA Server for telnet and TN3270 connectivity.

AFW 3270 users merely select a connection and the connection to the TN3270 server is handled quickly and automatically. IND$FILE file transfer over TCP/IP is also supported through the use of a simplified graphical interface. The figure on the left illustrates a common international implementation of AFW 3270 using TCP/IP and TN3270 to access mainframe applications.

AFW 5250

• Host Connections. AFW 5250 allows concurrent sessions over multiple connection types to the host. AFW 5250 supports a wide array of both direct connections and LAN gateway connections providing a higher degree of flexibility. This allows corporations to standardize on one desktop solution for their varied connectivity needs. Access for Windows 5250 is a full Dynamic Link Library (DLL) and VxD ( Virtual device Drivers) solution providing Windows-only connections for Microsoft SNA Server for Windows NT Server.
• Multiple AS/400 Support. A user working with AFW 5250 has the ability to connect to multiple AS/400's concurrently and create many working sessions of applications on the various systems. This productivity feature is not supported in PC Support/400.
• Transparent Printing. AFW 5250's host printer emulation includes support for transparent printing allowing the host application to send escape sequences for selecting paper trays and fonts to be sent directly to the printer. AFW 5250 also supports pass-through mode, which allows the host application to dump all printer data, pre-formatted or interspersed with commands, to the printer with no interpretation.

Access for Windows 5250 File Transfer Dialog Box

• File Transfer. AFW 5250 provides an intuitive SQL-based file transfer program that lets the user download only what is needed at the desktop by selecting and transferring with point and click ease.
• AS/ Router. A highly functional component of AFW 5250 is the AS/ Router. Access System/Router (AS/Router) is a complete LU 6.2 solution that provides TSR-free full-stack APPC connections to IBM AS/400 systems. AS/Router allows Eicon's Access for Windows software to exchange files and information with remote or local hosts via a variety of LAN connections, including SNA Server. Among the advantages of AS/Router versus the competition are improved memory management, integrated and simplified installation, multiple/concurrent link access to various hosts, and configuration flexibility.

Eicon Windows NT Solutions.

The Eicon Access product family also includes 3270 and 5250 emulation packages for Microsoft Windows NT. These display and print emulations include many of the functions that have been described previously. However, there are some unique offerings and capabilities that enhance the operational environment of Windows NT and SNA Server.

• AFW NT 3270 as an SNA Server Printing Solution. An area where Eicon products strengthen the capabilities of SNA Server is host-to-network printing. By installing Eicon's Access for Windows NT 3270(AFW NT 3270) on SNA Server, administrators can add Host Print functions to SNA Server. Traditional host-to-LAN client printing solutions have required the maintenance of multiple LUs to pass the print streams to LAN clients that would emulate an SNA printing device. This approach results in excessive administrative and network overhead when compared to the Eicon Technology solution. AFW NT 3270 on SNA Server allows for the configuration of multiple LAN printer queues from one host LU session. This reduces administrative investment and processing resource consumption both on SNA Server and on the host system.
• Stand- Alone Connectivity. Another unique Windows NT product combination from Eicon is the Stand-Alone Version of the AFW NT 3270 and AFW NT 5250 products. The Stand-Alone versions of these products combine Microsoft SNA Workstation and either the 3270 or 5250 emulation products from Eicon. These powerful combinations differ from the LAN Client versions of the Eicon emulations in two major areas -
• Enhanced API Support. In addition to the standard EHLLAPI and WinHLLAPI support of other Eicon emulations, the Stand-Alone version supports WinAPPC, CPI-C, LUA, and CSV programming interfaces. These additional interfaces allow developers or sophisticated end users to develop highly functional and powerful programmatic communications between network systems and host applications.

• Direct Wide Area Connectivity. Through the use of SNA Workstation and an add-on network adapter from Eicon, the Stand-Alone products are capable of communicating directly with IBM host systems over X.25, SDLC, or 802.2 LLC wide area communications links. As mentioned previously, Microsoft SNA Server is capable of host connectivity over a variety of host connectivity links. These host link selections are extended to SNA Workstation and through the addition of Eicon products allow end users to have direct wide area connectivity to the remote IBM host system from their desktop PC.

Eicon Universal Access

Eicon Universal Access is a complete suite of PC-to-SNA connectivity products for Microsoft Windows, Windows NT, MS-DOS, and IBM OS/2 operating systems. This single, comprehensive package includes all of the Access family of Eicon emulations and capabilities discussed in this paper and is available on the Universal Access CD-ROM. Universal Access simplifies the purchase and distribution of desktop emulation software for access to SNA hosts.

Administrators can procure and install the Eicon emulations for multiple desktop operating systems directly from the Universal Access CD. Further , system administrators can minimize purchasing and licensing confusion by providing end users with the emulations they require from a single source

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Summary

The evolution of desktop and LAN-based networks to client-server solutions has not lessened the requirement for access to mainframe and AS/400 applications. The road to client-server in the current era of LAN-to-SNA connectivity is characterized by sophisticated client host-access products that provide a wide array of integrated functions. Solutions like Eicon Technology's family of Access products, increase productivity and ease-of-use by incorporating many of the inter-application and windows integration features that are built-into current windowing operating systems. Through the combination of Microsoft SNA Server and Eicon Technology's multi-platform terminal emulation and printing solutions, organizations can reap the rewards of a powerful, integrated environment for accessing mainframe and AS/400 systems and applications.

For more information:

Contact your local Microsoft office or a Microsoft Solution Provider near you. In the United States, call (800) 426-9400 for product information or to locate a Microsoft Solution Provider. In Canada, call (800) 563-9048. Outside the United States and Canada, call your local Microsoft subsidiary or (206) 936-8661. Via the Internet, use: http://www.microsoft.com.

Eicon in the United States:    
Tel: 1-800-80-EICON            
Fax: (214) 239-3304            
Eicon in Canada:               
Tel: (416) 214-2690            
Fax: (416) 214-2695            
Worldwide                      
SALES@EICON.COM                
Web: www.eicon.com             
CompuServe: GO EICON           

© 1995 Eicon Technology Corporation and Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. This document is for informational purposes only.

MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY.

The information contained in this document represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation on the Microsoft issues discussed as of the date of publication. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information presented after the date of publication.
Microsoft's support services are subject to Microsoft's then-current prices, terms, and conditions, and are subject to change without notice.
Access for Windows 3270, Access for Windows 5250 Access for DOS 3270, Access for OS/2 3270 are trademarks of Eicon Technology.
Microsoft, Windows, and MS-DOS are registered trademarks and Windows NT is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
IBM, OS/2, OS/400 and AS/400 are registered trademarks and PowerPC and VTAM are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.
Intel is a registered trademark and Pentium is a trademark of Intel Corp.
MIPS is a registered trademark of MIPS Computer Systems Inc.
UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Co. Ltd.
Banyan and VINES are registered trademarks of Banyan Systems Inc.
AppleTalk and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
CompuServe is a registered trademark of CompuServe Inc.
NetWare is a registered trademark and IPX and IPX/SPX are trademarks of Novell, Inc.
All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.
0695 Part No. 098-60869

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