From: A1.MCL@isumvs.iastate.edu 
Subject: SNA over Async with OS/2
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames IA
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 19:28:33 GMT


IBM has relased a prototype for SNA-A for OS/2 (SNA over
a asychronous adapter).  This allows one to have a home
computer or portable with OS/2 and ES installed with modem
and be able to dial into to work and have ES provide 3270,
5250, APPN-APPC-LU6.2 sessions to the work location.
This prototype is downloadable from the IBM OS/2 BBS, if
someone on Internet is interested in this code I can ask
if I can post to ftp-os2.nmsu.edu.

Mike Long
Iowa State University

Here is a short readme,

SNA-A OS/2 Asynchronous SNA/APPC Utility                12/30/92

Revisions:
  Release 1.3:  06/30/92 - Initial release.
                12/30/92 - Made available to customers on OS/2 BBS.

Announce Statement:
-------------------
  The SNAAOS2 package is prototype code which extends OS/2's
  Communications Manager (EE 1.3 or ES 1.0) to include SNA and APPC
  over asynchronous connectivity.  This code is PROTOTYPE code and
  is NOT a part of the Communications Manager product.

  Any service issues or questions will be handled through the
  APPC forum on the OS/2 BBS.

  NOTES:

  1. Distribution/service for this package may be stopped
     without notice.

  2. Communications Manager's service organization MUST NOT BE
     called for anything dealing with this prototype.

  3. Consult the User's Guide for installation instructions.


Package contents
-----------------
  The SNA-A package is named SNAAOS2 and is available in the Tools Section
  of the OS/2 BBS Software Library. The SNAAOS2.ZIP file is downloaded
  and unpacked using PKUNZIP2. It contains:

    README  1ST              *Package Overview
    SNAAOS2 SCR              *User's guide - IBM Script format.
    SNAAOS2 LST              *User's guide - ASCII list format.
    SNAAOS2 PAK              *User's guide - Packed LIST3820 format.

    SNAAOS2 EXEBIN           *The OS/2 device driver providing the SNA-A
                              function.


  NOTE: Consult the User's Guide for installation instructions!

  The VM LIST3820 format version of the User's Guide was packed using the
  VM COPY statement to preserve record formats and lengths. To restore the
  file, first send the file to a VM host with the following OS/2 command:

  SEND SNAAOS2.PAK SNAAOS2 PACKED A (RECFM F LRECL 1024

  Then, unpack the file on the VM "A" minidisk with the VM command:

  COPY SNAAOS2 PACKED A SNAAOS2 LIST3820 A (UNPACK


Description of the prototype
-----------------------------
  SNA-A, also referred to as SNA over async or SDLC over async,
  is an extension to the SNA architecture allowing SNA traffic to
  flow across asynchronous (start/stop) communications lines.  The
  prototype replaces the existing OS/2 Communications Manager's
  SDLC support with SDLC over async support. All forms of SNA
  traffic can make use of this data link including LU6.2 (e.g.,
  any APPC TPs), LU0-LU3 (e.g., 3270 emulation, host
  printing and file transfer), and also SNA gateway.

What is the advantage of SNA over async?
----------------------------------------
  SNA over async is being driven by the laptop market.  SNA-A enables
  the growing base of laptops which already have the required
  communications hardware (internal modem or COM port with an
  external modem) gain native access to a SNA network.  This
  allows customers to take their office based SNA applications
  "on the road".  Any SNA customer with a salesforce has
  a requirement for this.  The home office environment is  another
  potential user of SNA-A.  People can use home PC's (without having
  to invest in an SDLC adapter) to do terminal emulation into their
  office machines (3270, 5250, or an OS/2 window via ATELNET).

What platforms support SNA over async?
---------------------------------------
  This prototype allows an OS/2 machine (EE 1.3 or ES 1.0) to connect
  with NS/DOS, AS/400 or another OS/2 machine configured with the
  prototype.

help post
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.networking