Choosing Server-to-Host Connections

In Host Integration Server terms, a host connection is the data communications path between Host Integration Server and a host system. For a mainframe, the connection corresponds to a physical unit (PU) definition in Virtual Telecommunications Access Method (VTAM). On the i Series computer, the connection corresponds to an Advanced Program-to-Program Communications (APPC) controller definition.

For each adapter or connection, you configure an link service within Host Integration Server. A link service is a Windows-based service or device driver that is used to control server-to-host communication adapters supported by Host Integration Server. Today, IP-DLC is the only supported link service. After you configure the IP-DLC link service, you can configure the connections. Using a host connection, a client computer can communicate with the mainframe system.

In SNA terms, a physical unit (PU) is the combination of a physical connection and the link service it uses. In an SNA network, Host Integration Server provides PU 2 or PU 2.1 functionality.

See Also

Choosing Network Protocols for Host Integration Server
Choosing Server/Server Network Protocols
Choosing Client/Server Network Protocols
Connecting Servers