[comp.protocols.tcp-ip] TCP/IP for IBM's MVS

NJG@CornellA (Nick Gimbrone) (04/01/88)

Has anyone compared the alternatives for TCP/IP implementations for the
IBM MVS operating system (e.g. KNET, ACC, etc). A full function
alternative, preferably with nice gateway capability to&from SNA
networks would be ideal (dream on :-).

RAF@NIHCU.BITNET ("Roger Fajman") (04/02/88)

> Has anyone compared the alternatives for TCP/IP implementations for the
> IBM MVS operating system (e.g. KNET, ACC, etc). A full function
> alternative, preferably with nice gateway capability to&from SNA
> networks would be ideal (dream on :-).

Last year we talked to ACC, Advintech (then called CISCO),
Fibronics, and Network Solutions.  We felt that ACC's product would
best meet our needs.  Due to long procurement delays, we are just
about to get it, so I can't tell you how it worked out yet.  I also
asked some of the lists who was using what for MVS.  The
overwhelming majority response was ACC.

Some of the product features that are important to us are SMTP, FTP,
Telnet, TN3270, domain name resolver, a reasonable way to interface
SMTP to our mail system, and a way to adapt FTP to our user and data
set naming conventions.  Some of the products lacked basic features
like SMTP or TN3270.  Others had interfacing problems in our
environment.

We weren't looking for an SNA Gateway, but I don't recall such a
beast in any of the products.

braden@VENERA.ISI.EDU (04/02/88)

	
	Has anyone compared the alternatives for TCP/IP implementations for the
	IBM MVS operating system (e.g. KNET, ACC, etc). A full function
	alternative, preferably with nice gateway capability to&from SNA
	networks would be ideal (dream on :-).
	
That depends upon what you mean by a "gateway capability".  A transport-level
gateway doesn;t work because the upper layers are different. If you
mean: the ability to use a 3278 transparently end-to-end across an SNA
and a TCP-IP network, you've got it in the UCLA ACP and all the
vendor products derived from it.  If you mean: the ability to gateway
BITNET mail to/from SMTP mail under MVS, there is a mail system 
available from UCLA that does that (with some restrictions).
There is not a file transfer gateway  because the two protocol
families use such different file tranfer models.

Bob Braden