Overview of IBM Networking

ALPS

Migration Support

Using a client/server model allows the NCIA Server feature to be independent of the upstream implementation, allowing it to be implemented in a network that is still using RSRB and in a DLSw+ network. It also greatly simplifies migration from RSRB to DLSw+, because it requires no changes at the client. A single NCIA server can support either approach (but not both). As Figure 103 illustrates, a central site router can support RSRB and DLSw+ concurrently, allowing a portion of the NCIA servers to communicate using RSRB and another portion to communicate using DLSw+.

Figure 103 NCIA Server Provides Independence from the Upstream Network Implementation

 

 

Client

 

 

workstation

 

Token

 

 

Ring

DLSw+

 

 

 

 

NCIA server

 

RSRB/DLSw+

 

Token

IP

 

backbone

 

Ring

 

Mainframe

Cisco

 

 

 

with FEP

 

 

Computing center

 

RSRB

 

 

NCIA server

 

 

51915

 

Router peers

 

ALPS

The Airline Product Set (ALPS) is a tunneling mechanism that transports airline protocol data across a TCP/IP network to a mainframe. ALPS provides connectivity between agent set control units (ASCUs) and a mainframe host that runs the airline reservation system.

Figure 104 shows the basic ALPS topology and the protocols implemented in the feature. Three major components provide the end-to-end transportation of airline protocol traffic across the network: the P1024B Airline Control (ALC) or P1024C (UTS) protocol, the TCP/IP-based MATIP protocol conversion, and the TCP/IP access to the mainframe.

 

 

Cisco IOS Bridging and IBM Networking Configuration Guide

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

78-11737-02

 

 

BC-229

 

 

 

 

 

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IBM BC-201 manual Migration Support, BC-229