The ConversionNode™ is a tried and true product used in business-critical networks to support the requirement to migrate serial SNA to LAN internetworking. The ConversionNode helps you collapse serial protocol traffic onto LAN internetworks by locally terminating the traffic in order to avoid time-outs in the SNA network.

Features:
The ConversionNode connects SNA/SDLC, BSC/3270, async alarm and SNA/QLLC devices and hosts to Token Ring and Ethernet LAN internetworks. Legacy serial data traffic can be moved from leased multi-drop lines or X.25 networks to a consolidated LAN internetwork. This improves performance and reduces operation costs.

The ConversionNode provides a complete and comprehensive solution for supporting legacy applications over LAN internetworks. Features include:

• Support for Token Ring and Ethernet LAN connections
• Complete support for IBM legacy controller protocols: SNA/SDLC, SNA/QLLC and BSC
• Compatibility with any bridge or router supporting bridged or DLSw routed LLC2 connections
• Comprehensive NetView/390 and SNMP enterprise manager support
• Centralized configuration with remote configuration/software loading

BENEFITS
Mission-critical networks require high availability, reliability, but currently require parallel LAN and SNA networks. The ConversionNode is a powerful internetworking solution delivering exceptional price/performance over other alternatives. Its powerful connectivity features converge SNA and other legacy protocols onto LAN internets, eliminating duplicate leased lines to every site. This collapses data networks and reduces monthly WAN recurring costs, saving network operation costs.

Extensive, yet easy to use network management tools allow you to proactively manage the branch to ensure optimal network availability. Since the ConversionNode may be managed by either SNMP or traditional NetView, there is minimal impact to network operation staff - no need to retrain and reduced on-site support due to remote diagnostics. Thus, high availability is ensured with reduced network operations costs. In summary, the ConversionNode creates branch networks that have the lowest cost of ownership while providing the high availability and reliability that mission-criticial networks require.

APPLICATIONS
ConversionNode has several applications that reduce recurring, operations, and maintenance costs to the end-user. These applications are as follows:

Remote FEP Alternative/Replacement:
ConversionNode is a cost-effective alternative for providing SNA/SDLC or BSC/3270 host attachments. FEPs can be downsized by offloading SNA/SDLC (and BSC/3270) lines to a ConversionNode and enabling the FEP to become a token ring interface (TIC) only configuration. This reduces or eliminates monthly recurring FEP costs and migrates your serial protocol network to LAN internetworks.

NCP Packet Switching Interface Alternative:
ConversionNode is also a NPSI FEP alternative. Using QLLC, FEPs can be right sized to a token ring gateway configuration, thereby eliminating the need for NPSI software. The SNA/QLLC serial connections are provided by the ConversionNode. Using the ConversionNode in this manner also reduces monthly recurring FEP costs and migrates your serial protocol network to LAN internetworks.

Legacy and LAN Network Convergence:
ConversionNode allows organizations to interconnect their IBM SDLC or BSC serial network to their branch LAN network and use a high-performance bridge/router or LAN switch network to carry LAN and SNA traffic. The ConversionNode off-loads branch serial processing from the LAN switch or router and provides a high port density for serial host connectivity. The data center serial host connections are especially valuable in AS/400 and Tandem host locations.

The ConversionNode Advantage
The ConversionNode reduces wide area network (WAN) costs and preserves investment in legacy application systems. By enabling legacy serial controllers to be attached to the LAN internetwork, the ConversionNode eliminates duplicate WAN costs while preserving current investment in legacy controller equipment. Thus, you reduce recurring WAN costs while maintaining your capital investment.

Specifications

Hardware Specifications
FrameNode 4200 and 3600 platforms may be configured as either ConversionNodes or FrameNodes. See the Hardware Specifications sections of the FrameNode 4200 or FrameNode 3600 pages.

Software Specifications
ConversionNode software for the 4200 platforms

• 2, 4 or 8 Universal Serial Lines (3 Protocols—BSC, SDLC and/or Async)
• Up to 120 CUs depending on model type

ConversionNode software for the 3600 platforms

• 2 RS-232 Serial Lines (3 Protocols—BSC, SDLC and/or Async)
• 2 Optional Universal Serial Lines
• Up to 30 CUs depending on model type

ConversionNode Common Features

• 1 Token Ring or Ethernet LAN interface
• SDLC/BSC Interface
• Primary or Secondary Station Emulation
• Internal or External Clocking
• Constant or Switched Carrier Support
• Multi-drop or Point-to-Point Connections
• NRZI or NRZ (for SDLC)
• Supports SDLC frames to 4K

Primary SDLC Emulation Features

• T1 Timer
• Slowpoll Timer
• Pause Parameter
• Retry Count
• Single and Multiple Flag Separation

BSC Emulation Features

• Poll Rate
• ReplyTo
• Retry Counter
• Slowpoll Timer

SNA DSPUs Supported

• SNA PU 1—5294/5394 Controller
• SNA PU 2—3274 Controller, 4700 Controller
• SNA Type 2.1—AS/400, System 3X
• Group Poll Devices—3174R Gateway

BSC DSPUs Support

• 3274 (32-LUs/Controller)
• 2780/3780 Controllers

Other Protocol Support

• SNA/QLLC (Available with ConversionNode Plus software on a 4 MB DRAM hardware platform)