IBM BC-201 - Manual (Page 11)

Overview of IBM Networking
STUN and BSTUN
BC-211
Cisco IOS Bridging and IBM Networking Configuration Guide
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Figure 88 VDLC Interaction with Higher-Layer Protocols
The higher-layer protocols make no distinction between the VDLC and any other data-link control, but
they do identify the VDLC as a destination. In the example shown in , SNASw has two ports: a physical
port for Token Ring and a logical (virtual) port for the VDLC. In the case of the SNASw VDLC port,
when you define the SNASw VDLC port, you can also specify the MAC address assigned to it. That
means data going from DLSw+ to SNASw by way of the VDLC is directed to the VDLC MAC address.
The type of higher-layer protocol you use determines how the VDLC MAC address is assigned.
STUN and BSTUN
The Cisco IOS software supports serial tunnel (STUN) and block serial tunnel (BSTUN). Our BSTUN
implementation enhances Cisco 2500, 4000, 4500, 4700, 7200 series routers to support devices that use
the Binary Synchronous Communication (Bisync) data-link protocol and asynchronous security
protocols that include Adplex, ADT Security Systems, Inc., Diebold, and asynchronous generic traffic.
BSTUN implementation is also supported on the 4T network interface module (NIM) on the Cisco 4000
and 4500 series routers. Our support of the bisync protocol enables enterprises to transport Bisync traffic
and SNA multiprotocol traffic over the same network.
This section contains the following topics:
• STUN Networks, page 211
• STUN Features, page 212
• BSTUN Networks, page 215
• BSTUN Features, page 215
STUN Networks
STUN operates in two modes: passthrough and local acknowledgment. Figure 89 shows the difference
between passthrough mode and local acknowledgment mode.
The upper half of Figure 89 shows STUN configured in passthrough mode. In passthrough mode, the
routers act as a wire and the SDLC session remains between the end stations. In this mode, STUN
provides a straight passthrough of all SDLC traffic, including control frames.
The lower half of Figure 89 shows STUN configured in local acknowledgment mode. In local
acknowledgment mode, the routers terminate the SDLC sessions and send only data across the WAN.
Control frames no longer travel the WAN backbone networks.
SNASw DLSw+ Data-link users
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Data-link controls
CLSI
VDLC Ethernet
Token
Ring