z/OS Communications Server Part 1 - Implementing an APPN Network using SNA/VTAM

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UK Start Times

USA/Canada Start Times

What do I need?

• webcam
• headphones with microphone
• sufficient bandwidth, at least 1.5 Mb/s in each direction.

What you will learn

On successful completion of this course you will be able to:

• define startup and session establishment procedures to the z/OS Communications Server (VTAM) using parameters and logmodes
• reinforce understanding of SNA architecture implementation
• define network resources (major/minor nodes) to VTAM
• avoid the most common mistakes made by new users
• identify and code routing requirements for an APPN and SubArea network
• code the definitions to support cross-domain communication in an APPN Network
• understand uses of VTAM console commands
• diagnose SENSE code information
• code USS and LOGMODE tables
• explain how APPN uses HPR
• describe the Message structure
• understand Enterprise Extender and how to code it in an APPN Network
• recognise the parameters needed for APPC applications
• understand why VTAM Generics and Multi Node Persistent Session is needed in an APPN network for continuous availability in a Parallel Sysplex.
• perform a VTAM/APPN trace.

Who Should Attend

This course is ideal for all personnel working in operations, systems programming, and networking departments.

Prerequisites

A knowledge of z/OS concepts and previous attendance on the course z/OS UNIX System Services Concepts & Facilities Part 1- Concepts & Facilities, or equivalent experience. A basic understanding of network concepts would be helpful but is not mandatory.

Duration

4 days

Fee (per attendee)

£2250 (ex VAT)

This includes free online 24/7 access to course notes.

Hard copy course notes are available on request from rsmshop@rsm.co.uk

at £50.00 plus carriage per set.

Course Code

VTAN

Contents

SNA - Introduction

What is SNA?; Pre-SNA networks; SNA hardware and software; SNA elements; Sessions; SNA layers; SNA message units; Session establishment sequence; Why APPN?; APPN node types; Resource registration; Resource location; LU-LU session activation; Locating resources.

Console Commands

The START command; The DISPLAY command; The VARY command; The MODIFY command; The HALT command.

Network Addressable Units

SNA Network Addressable Units (NAUs); SSCP/CP functions; PU types; Message flow; Address awareness; Subarea network addresses; APPN network address; Local addresses; Address conversion.

SNA Sessions

Sessions and half-sessions; half session layers; session types; setup flows; initiation sequences; logon request processing; LU-LU session types.

Network Installation and Definition

Network planning; Network installation; MVS installation considerations; VM installation considerations; Network related datasets; VTAM start procedure; Structure of SYS1.VTAMLST; The ATCSTR00 member of SYS1.VTAMLST; The ATCCON00 member of SYS1.VTAMLST; Network definition - major & minor nodes.

APPN/HPR Concepts

Introduction to APPN; APPN protocol; Base and Towers; SNA layer model; Why APPC?; APPC LU differences; Route calculation; APPN Class Of Service; APPN COS definition in VTAM; Transmission groups; Channel to Channel Adapters; Cross domain logon processing; PU Type 2.1; The Address Space Manager; APPN and the Boundary Function; Link Stations; APPN Node Services.

APPN/HPR Topology

Topology Database - Part One; Learning of Topology; Topology Database - Part Two; Topology Database - Part Three; Garbage Collection; HPR overview; The High Performance pouting principle; Rapid Transport Protocol; RTP Route Recovery; APPN/HPR options; Adaptive rate based pacing; ISTRTPNM; HPR only links.

VTAM and APPN Resources

Applications and local terminals; Application programs; Local terminals; VTAM and application programs; The Application Major Node; TSO session establishment; VTAM and Local SNA terminals; The Local SNA Major Node; VTAM and Local non-SNA terminals; The Local non-SNA Major Node; VTAM and TCP/IP; The Application Major Node for TCP/IP; OSAs, Hipersockets and Channel Attached Routes; OSA diagnostic device; QDIO and non-QDIO; OSA Express CHPID definitions; Adding an OSA Control Unit and device; Adding OSAD device; Hipersockets; Hipersockets definition; CHPID Type IQD; MTU sizes; Channel Attached Routers and Servers; Defining MPCPTP devices; Defining MPCIPA devices; Available TCP/IP commands; The START and STOP commands; The MODIFY command; The DISPLAY command; The VARY command; The OBEYFILE command; The NETSTAT and onetstat command; NETSTAT command options; Defining model major nodes for EE connections and RTP pipes; Defining switched PUs for EE connections.

User-Coded Tables

Assembled Tables; Unformatted System Services (USS) logon procedure; Mode Tables; USS Tables; USSCMD macro format; USSPARM macro format; SNA/SCS message 10 example; SNA character set; Non-SNA/3270 message 10 example.

APPN and VTAM Data Flow

The Session Control Layers; Session profiles; Session level pacing (TC); Session level pacing example; Adaptive session level pacing; Request chaining (DFC); Bracketing (DFC); Send/Receive modes (DFC); Function Management Headers (PS); BIND request format; LU6.2 negotiable BIND; Negotiable BIND parameters; Conversations and sessions; Types of conversation; Starting a conversation; APPC Function Management Headers; FMH-5 contents; FMH-7 contents; FMH-12 contents; Generalised Data Stream; Service Transaction Program GDS IDs; Conversation message flows; Major architectural verbs; Implementation differences; Sample APPC application.

APPN Message Structures

Message format and flow; RU categories; BIU structures; request header format; response header format; transmission header formats; additional TH fields; FID conversion.

VTAM/APPN Trace

Introduction to VTAM trace; Starting a trace; Trace details.

Enterprise Extender

z/OS services for SNA traffic; APPN parameters in startup options; Implementation considerations; TCP/IP implementation; IUTSAMEH; DYNAMICXCF; DYNAMICXCF & HiperSockets; Modifications to TCP/IP profile; Modifications to OSPF interface; Proof of initialisation of IUTSAMEH; VTAM implementation; Defining the XCA HPRIP major node; Defining model Major Nodes for EE connections and RTP pipes; Defining switched PUs for EE connections.

Using VTAM Generics and Multi Node Persistent Sessions

What is sysplex?; Not a new concept; So what's new?; 'Before' and 'after' sysplex; XCF sysplex requirements; Components of the XCF sysplex; Server Time Protocol; Clock synchronization techniques; XCF sysplex definitions; XCF sysplex services; Signalling and Status Monitoring services; Group services; The parallel sysplex; The parallel sysplex concept; Couple Data Sets; Planning CFRM - identification and structure size; VTAM generic resources; TSO generic resources.