Path: utzoo!canstar!khasin
From: khasin@canstar.UUCP (Kha Sin Teow)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.lans
Subject: Info req on IBM370 I/O channel
Keywords: IBM 370 channel network protocol
Message-ID: <186@canstar.UUCP>
Date: 2 Oct 90 15:32:18 GMT
Reply-To: khasin@canstar.UUCP (Kha Sin Teow)
Organization: Canstar Communications
Lines: 53


This is a request for information related to IBM I/O channel.
I would like to apologize ahead if this is not the right news group.
I'm not aware of any other more appropriate group.
If you know of one, please e-mail me the info for my future use.

PROBLEM:

I'm involved in solving a problem which involves the IBM I/O channels and
many I/O devices connected to the channels.

There is an existing communication configuration as follow:

	+--------------------+
	| IBM 370            |
	|                    |
	| +----------------+ |    Bus&Tag Cable
	| |c h a n n e l A |#[]---------------(I/O devices which are
	| +----------------+ | 			daisy-chained)
	|                    |
	| +----------------+ |    Bus&Tag Cable
	| |c h a n n e l B |#[]---------------(I/O devices which are
	| +----------------+ | 			daisy-chained)
	|         .          |
	|         .          |
	|         .          |
	+--------------------+

There is a proposal/suggestion to replace the existing 370 (and channels)
with a network of vendor independent high-powered micro/mini computers such as
Sun workstations, MIP machines, etc.
The network must also be vendor and protocol independent.
However, the I/O devices on the "bus and tag" side of the channel must
remain.

The question that I have is this:
(1) Is there any product out there that emulate the 370 channel
    and works with a system mentioned above?
    (Please don't tell me it's IBM/Amdahl XXXX mainframe...)

There are several channel related products that we are aware of but they are
only for the "bus and tag" side and not capable of emulating the channel.

You may contact me via
	e-mail		khasin%canstar.uucp@ai.toronto.edu
		or
	voice:		(416)756-4100
		or
	Canada Post:	3900 Victoria Park Avenue,
			North York, Ontario M2H 3H7


Appreciate any pointer.