Our list of technical white papers offers information on everything from mobile computing directions to token-ring migration.

Available file formats are listed below the titles of the papers. If you do not have the Adobe Acrobat Reader® for the PDF files, you can download it directly from Adobe's site.

Recommendations sharing SNA and VOIP traffic over 3746 Frame Relay lines
15 September 2000 | HTML | 176 KB PDF
This document contains configuration requirements and recommendations for 3746 users wanting to carry voice (Voice over IP – VoIP) and data (SNA, APPN, HPR) traffic over Frame Relay connections between 3746s. The 3746 support for VoIP traffic is included in the "3746 Extended Functions 5" (feature number 5812), available as of September 15, 2000.

SNA and TCP/IP convergence
20 June 2000 | 758 KB PDF
Although a large percentage of existing enterprise mission critical applications are still SNA-based, SNA is rapidly giving way to TCP/IP in the network. Most SNA networks are on a migration path to either an integrated, converged network or a pure TCP/IP network. However, most SNA customers find that today's TCP/IP still does not provide the mission-critical functionality that first brought them to SNA. So they are growing their TCP/IP networks while maintaining and incrementally enhancing SNA—integrating the two where feasible. Examined in this white paper are issues surrounding the SNA-to-IP migration and a thoughtful strategy of long-term, strategic goals rather than tactical moves that often prove costly and counter-productive.

3746-900 installation scenarios
15 March 2000 | 112 KB PDF
This document is intended to provide working examples of some of the most common configuration using a 3746-900 and the MAE to connect to the mainframe. The way the information is organized is as follows:

• A presentation documenting the test environment and the different scenarios tested.
• Text files with VTAM and NCP source that reflect the different elements used in the tests.
• CCM files with the 3746-900 confligurations for each scenario.

Token-ring solutions
2000 | HTML | 871 KB PDF
This paper addresses the virtues of Token-Ring technology, its present status, and outlines a smooth, step-by-step migration path to increased network performance. This paper also provides a short history of Token-Ring's development and a summary of the current state of the business.

S/390 server access solutions—3745/3746 evolution strategy
1999 | HTML
This paper was written for S/390 customers who have either already installed or plan to install 3745/3746 Communication Controller hardware. Following the announcement of the IBM alliance with Cisco Systems on August 31, 1999, many questions might exist for the future of the 3745/3746 and NCP family of products. This paper addresses the strategic role of the 374x family in the future of your network. IBM wishes to make clear to customers that the 374x family of products remains strategic to IBM's product set and that IBM will compete vigorously for this business.

Growing your e-business with IBM server load balancing and caching embedded solutions
1999 | HTML
The IBM Network Dispatcher and Web Server Cache technologies can be used to enhance the performance, scalability and availability of your mission-critical TCP and UDP applications running on server platforms. The load balancing capabilities of the Network Dispatcher help you scale your application processing capacity while making your application more available through redundancy. The caching capabilities of the IBM Web Server Cache can further enhance the capacity of your servers by offloading the servers from having to process requests for content that is frequently accessed.

Networking implications of S/390 Parallel Sysplex
1 October 1998 | HTML
The S/390 Parallel Sysplex configuration is based on an advanced form of clustering technology. A S/390 Parallel Sysplex can be built using the older ES/9000 511 or 711 processors, or the latest S/390 CMOS based Enterprise Servers. The maximum number of systems that can be configured in a Parallel Sysplex today is 32.

Migration solutions for IBM Networking Products 3705, 3720, 3745
August 1998 | HTML
This paper discusses the implications of replacement of existing 3705/3720/3725 controllers with new hardware which provides the same function. A number of possible migration scenarios are presented, and the benefits of each is shown.

Overview of Fast Token-Ring (FasTR)
10 April 1998 | 374 KB PDF
This paper describes the Fast Token-Ring solution for the 2216 Multiaccess Connector, 3746 with a multiaccess enclosure, 8270 model 800 LAN Switch, and the 8260 Multiprotocol Switching Hub. Fast Token-Ring (FastTR) allows a customer to install an ATM-ready-155-Mbps-class link in a token-ring-only network without installing and managing an ATM infrastructure. It couldn't be easier. The network continues to be Token-Ring, and server access increases significantly.

Desktop ATM versus Fast Ethernet
1998 | HTML
This paper provides a comparative analysis of current LAN technologies, including such considerations as flexibility, conformance to standards, efficiency, ease of use, security, control, management, cost, and overall performance.

Advantages of Multiprotocol Switched Services (MSS)
1998 | HTML
Multiprotocol Switched Services is a key component of IBM's Switched Virtual Network architecture. Along with the advantages of MSS, this paper addresses the past and future growth of networks and the problems that need to be solved. It also provides a comparative analysis of MSS and competing solutions.

Token-ring migration to switched LAN interconnect
1997 | HTML
In this paper, we compare shared and switched LANs in terms of topology and performance characteristics. We also look at differences between half-duplex (HDX) and FDX operation and discuss where it makes sense to use one or the other. Factors considered include network topology, performance improvements, and migration impact. Finally, the role of emerging high-speed networks such as ATM is discussed in the switched environment, both as a campus backbone and as a desktop connection.

Technological advances in twinax communications
18 September 1997 | HTML | 85 KB PDF
The AS/400 Twinaxial Workstation Controller (WSC) has provided reliable, easy-to-configure connections to AS/400s for years. The features of the WSC have improved over the years from what was originally created as a connection for non-programmable terminals (NPTs) and printers to include an SNA connection for PCs and image capabilities for InfoWindow NPTs.

IBM 3746 Nways Multinetwork Controller Models 950 and 900 Network Node
July 1995 | HTML
The IBM 3746 NWays Multinetwork Controller complements the IBM controller family. The IBM 3746 Model 950 and the enhanced IBM 3746 Model 900 are enabled to play the multiple roles of Advanced Peer-to-Peer Networking (APPN) network node, SNA traffic router, and in the future, Internet Protocol (IP) router and Frame-Relay node. Product directions include the connectivity of this 3746 family to X.25, Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN), and ATM networks.

ATM positioning in the LAN environment
HTML
In this paper we will position ATM in the LAN environment and provide guidance about the environments that are best suited for each technology, in order to achieve the most cost-effective solution for customers.