IBM BC-201 - Manual (Page 30)

Overview of IBM Networking
DSPU and SNA Service Point
BC-230
Cisco IOS Bridging and IBM Networking Configuration Guide
78-11737-02
Figure 104 ALPS Architecture
The Cisco ALPS feature provides an end-to-end solution for airlines and central reservation systems.The
ALPS feature is integrated in the Cisco IOS software and allows airlines to replace their existing
hardware and software with Cisco routers. For customers who already use Cisco routers, this feature
allows them to consolidate networking overhead and functionality.
DSPU and SNA Service Point
Downstream physical unit (DSPU) is a software feature that enables the router to function as a PU
concentrator for SNA PU type 2 nodes. PU concentration at the device simplifies the task of PU
definition at the upstream host while providing additional flexibility and mobility for downstream PU
devices.
The DSPU feature allows you to define downstream PU type 2 devices in the Cisco IOS software. DSPU
reduces the complexity of host configuration by letting you replace multiple PU definitions that
represent each downstream device with one PU definition that represents the router.
Because you define the downstream PUs at the router rather than the host, you isolate the host from
changes in the downstream network topology. Therefore you can insert and remove downstream PUs
from the network without making any changes on the host.
The concentration of downstream PUs at the router also reduces network traffic on the WAN by limiting
the number of sessions that must be established and maintained with the host. The termination of
downstream sessions at the router ensures that idle session traffic does not appear on the WAN.
SNA service point support in the Cisco IOS software assumes that NetView or an equivalent product is
available at the SNA host. The user interacts with the network management feature in the router and at
the SNA host. In the Cisco IOS software, you can configure the host connection and show the status of
this connection. At the SNA host, you can use the NetView operator’s console to view alerts and to send
and receive Cisco syntax commands to the Cisco device.
25065
Remote
router
ASCUs running ALC or UTS
ASCUs running ALC or UTS
Remote
router
Network
management system
Mainframe with
airline reservation
system