3174 emulation emulates an IBM 3174 local SNA controller. These emulation programs seek to mimic the control functions of the original IBM hardware for establishing and controlling a network of computers and peripherals.
IBM 3174 SNA
Systems Network Architecture (SNA), a networking architecture designed an owned by IBM, containing a complete protocol stack for networking computers and their connected resources. According to HOB Techtalk, the IBM series of controllers contained NCP switching protocol; Synchronous Data Link Control; and VTAM to provide routing, session-recording and log-in services.
3174 Emulation
The purpose of 3174 emulation is to provide users software emulating the functions of IBM 3174 local SNA controller hardware. Since IBM discontinued production of these units, various software packages have been designed to fill the market gap, or to provide users of IBM 3174 local SNA controller hardware with a more current interface. IBM produces 3174 emulation, for example, in its Netfinity ESCON Adapter.
3174 Emulation Advantages
3174 emulation is popular for users wishing to connect to host systems and establish cluster control, consolidate multiple networks, increase the efficiency of data transfer and routing and seeking support for a wide-range of systems and protocols.