Connecting multiple networks using SNA network interconnection

A multiple-network environment consists of multiple independent SNA subarea networks that are interconnected. The SNA network interconnection (SNI) facility enables communication between these separate networks.

To use SNA network interconnection, you must identify your different networks and define the following resources that enable network-to-network communication:
  • Gateway VTAMs
  • Gateway NCPs

CDRM major nodes and NCP major nodes, together with VTAM® start options, are used to define these resources. For a full discussion of SNA network interconnection and how to define these resources for various types of SNI configurations, see the z/OS Communications Server: SNA Network Implementation Guide.

Figure 1. VTAM hosts in a multiple-network environment
A diagram that shows two separate SNA networks connected via the SNA network interconnection (SNI) facility.

The sample CDRM major node definitions that follow and the CDRM major node for A01N in Dynamically defining cross-domain resources, together with the PATH definitions and the associated NCP major node definitions, are necessary to allow LU-LU sessions to be set up among the subarea-capable nodes in the network shown in Figure 1. You will find the PATH definitions for these same nodes in Path definition statements.