IBM BC-203 - Manual (Page 30)

Overview of IBM Networking
ALPS
BC-232
Cisco IOS Bridging and IBM Networking Configuration Guide
Figure 103 NCIA Server Provides Independence from the Upstream Network Implementation
ALPS
The Airline Product Set (ALPS) is a tunneling mechanism that transports airline protocol data across a
TCP/IP network to a mainframe. ALPS provides connectivity between agent set control units (ASCUs)
and a mainframe host that runs the airline reservation system.
Figure 104 shows the basic ALPS topology and the protocols implemented in the feature. Three major
components provide the end-to-end transportation of airline protocol traffic across the network: the
P1024B Airline Control (ALC) or P1024C (UTS) protocol, the TCP/IP-based MATIP protocol
conversion, and the TCP/IP access to the mainframe.
Mainframe
with FEP
Cisco
RSRB/DLSw+
DLSw+
NCIA Server
NCIA Server
S4706
IP
Backbone
RSRB
Client
Workstation
Token
Ring
Token
Ring
Router Peers
Computing Center