HP-UX SNAplus2 R7 General Information

Introducing SNAplus2
Benefits Provided by SNAplus2
• Having fewer links and PUs for host connectivity reduces the size of the host VTAM definition.
• Administration utilities can be used to configure and manage both node resources (for any computer in the
domain) and shared resources. The client/server support provided by SNAplus2 administration tools enables
transparent administration of all domain resources from any computer in the domain.
2.3.5 Better Performance
SNAplus2 optimizes network speed by using different traffic-management methods that balance traffic flow according
to network size.
In APPN networks, SNAplus2 supports automatic network routing (ANR) and intermediate session routing. While
intermediate session routing works efficiently for small networks, it degrades the performance of larger ones. ANR
can provide faster delivery, especially in large networks.
For larger networks, you can use the connection network option to improve communication efficiency. The
connection network option creates a communications path directly between nodes. Using a connection network
enables traffic to bypass intermediate network nodes, resulting in faster session establishment.
SNAplus2 also uses adaptive session-level pacing, which automatically adjusts congestion by regulating the rate at
which LUs send message units to partner LUs.
2.3.6 Scalability
SNAplus2 is fully scalable. There are virtually no hard-coded limits in the software; it is limited only by the
resources available in the HP-UX system (such as memory, CPU speed, link bandwidth, and disk space). If you
want to monitor or limit the resource utilization of SNAplus2, refer to
HP-UX SNAplus2 Administration Command
Reference.
2.3.7 Fiber Optic Connectivity Support
For host-based requirements, SNAplus2 supports fiber optic connectivity through FDDI links.
Compared to conventional electrical cabling, fiber optics are broadband media with excellent speed and signal trans-
mission properties. Because fiber optics carry optically encoded data, they are immune to cross-talk and interference
from electrical equipment, and hence are relatively noise-free. As such, they are ideally suited for wide area net-
works where data must be carried at high speed over long distances with minimal attenuation or distortion. Fiber
optics also provide extra security since they cannot be easily tapped.
2.3.8 Security Options
With networks becoming more complex and moving to an open architecture, security emerges as a major issue.
In SNA networks running SNAplus2, you can protect your assets by defining various levels of security through
configuration and by implementing certain types of links.
LU 6.2 users can define session security to ensure that the proper LUs are engaged in a session, resource security
to restrict access to a particular application, and conversation security to deny access to all applications associated
with a particular LU. Additional security is possible through data encryption routines.
3270 emulation programs can be restricted by an administrator so that different users have access to different LUs
or different features.
2.3.9 Network Management Flexibility
SNAplus2 offers the following network management options:
Multiple Domain Support-Network Management Vector Transport (MDS-NMVT)
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