Patent ID: 6865178

Claim:
A method for establishing a Systems Network Architecture (SNA) connection between a source SNA node and a target SNA node through a packet switching network using Data Link Switching (DLSw) access services, said packet switching network comprising a plurality of DLSw access nodes, said DLSw access nodes comprising one or a plurality of Data Link Switching (DLSw) access services including directory services that locate resources across the packet switching network using a spanning tree, connection services that establish connections between DLSw access nodes, and protocol services that are capable of at least one of understanding and interpreting Systems network Architecture (SNA) protocol, said method comprising the steps of: at a source DLSw access node, receiving from a source SNA node a first SNA request message having an address identifying the target SNA node for requesting the establishment of a SNA connection with the target SNA node; at said source DLSw access node, locating a target DLSw access node providing access to the target SNA node, sending an undirected query over the spanning tree; at target DLSw access node providing access to the target SNA node, in response to the undirected query, sending to the source DLSw access node a reply message comprising addressing information of the target DLSw access node providing access to the target SNA node; establishing a reserved or non reserved connection within the packet switching network between the source DLSw access node and the target DLSw access node; at the target DLSw access node, sending to the target SNA node a second SNA request message for requesting the establishment of a SNA connection; and establishing a SNA connection between the source SNA node and the target SNA node.