
Overview of IBM Networking
ALPS
Figure 103 NCIA Server Provides Independence from the Upstream Network Implementation
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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
