Client/server operation

Client/server configuration provides the following benefits:

• Concentrating SNA resources on servers reduces the load on clients, improving client performance and minimizing the storage needed to provide SNA services to clients.
• A single data link can be shared by multiple users on different machines, eliminating the need for each machine to have a physical SNA network connection.
• Multiple servers can provide redundant connectivity (for example, by having multiple servers providing access to the same host). Having multiple paths to an SNA resource enables load balancing across the different servers and provides immediate backup in the event that a particular server or link fails.
• By using LU pools across multiple servers, the administrator can easily configure and add servers and users.
• Having fewer links and PUs for host connectivity reduces the size of the host VTAM definition.
• Administration utilities can be used to configure and manage both node resources (for any computer in the domain) and shared resources. The client/server support provided by CS Linux administration tools enables transparent administration of all domain resources from any computer in the domain.
• SNA applications can be connected over Internet Protocols using TCP/IP and HTTPS for traversing firewalls and for authentication and security.
• Client applications can be mobile, and the Communications Server can track the user so the host can contact the application whereever the application moves.
• Remote users that run application on a `farm' of Windows Terminal Servers (WTS), Citrix servers or UNIX X-servers can connect from any server in the farm. The host application will be able to connect back to the remote user, even as the user switches between using different servers.
• Client applications can run in containers that connect to a server for the SNA resources needed to connect sessions to remote SNA nodes.