System information

Chapter 1. Introduction

Although IBM Network Stations can be locally attached to your AS/400 using

twinax, Ethernet, or Token Ring using TCP/IP. This redbook focuses on

implementing IBM Network Stations at your

remote

sites. In addition, this

redbook assumes that you have some familiarity with IBM Network Stations.

This chapter includes a brief overview of IBM Network Stations, a summary of

the IBM Network Station Manager for AS/400 Release 3 enhancements, and

an introduction to several methods available for deploying IBM Network

Stations throughout your AS/400 wide area network.

1.1 IBM Network Station Family Overview

The IBM Network Station family provides you with an alternative for your

business desktop. Traditionally, your choice was limited to either

non-programmable terminals (NPTs) or personal computers. NPTs are very

simple to install and maintain. However, they often lack the flexibility and

function needed by users. Although PCs are very flexible and functional, they

can end up being under-utilized and installation and ongoing support

requirements can be substantial. The IBM Network Station family consists of

network computers that are designed to combine some of the best

characteristics of NPTs and PCs, which reduces complexity and cost by

placing their management on central servers. IBM Network Stations can be

booted from an IBM AS/400, RISC System/6000, S/390 or NT PC server

when the appropriate software is installed.

All three models of the IBM Network Station allow you to access existing

applications on your network, as well as corporate intranets and the Internet.

In addition, the IBM Network Station takes advantage of leading edge

technologies, such as Java.

The IBM Network Station Series 100, often referred to as the

access network

computer

, is best suited to provide access to applications residing on servers

in your network. The Series 100 model offers:

• Access to multiple servers (IBM and others)

• Ability to run Windows applications using multi-user implementations of

Windows NT

• Support for 5250, 3270 and VTxxx terminal applications

• Access to applications on AIX and UNIX servers using X-Windows server

support

• Benefit from significant processing power of your server