IBM stresses the connectivity benefits of the new ACF/VTAM 3.1.2 release, pointing out that multiple 9370s can share a single, Network Control Program-controlled multi-point telephone line with other SNA devices and that X25 SNA-to-SNA communications support for both VM and DOS/VSE operating systems enables communications over packet switched networks by a 9370 through its integrated adaptor. Programs using the APPC/VM Application Program Interface provided by the Transparent Services Access Facility, TSAF, may now communicate over an SNA network. With the Profs V2 Cross System Calendar Access enhancements, TSAF allows sharing of Profs calendars among up to eight VM/SP systems. A new Telecommunications Subsystem Controller for the TCP/IP protocol over X25 communications links is also announced for the 9370s as IBM gears up to pitch for the public sector Unix systems market.NetView 2.0, with new automation features, is designed to facilitate central management of distributed 9370 systems. The new release enables distributed and departmental 9370s to run unattended, with most network and systems management being done by central operations staff, alerting to conditions requiring operator intervention. VM/SP system has been enhanced to accept alerts from the 9370 integrated Token-Ring Subsystem Controller and forward them to NetView either locally or remotely. An option reduces by 75% the disk space required for the remote end, so that baby 9370s can be used. A new VM/Distributed Systems Node Executive manages distribution of new software, software changes, files and maintenance through the SNA network to distributed 9370 systems, so that VM programs developed centrally can be distributed to the field. And ACF/VTAM, NetView and the Remote Spooling Communications Subsystem are bundled up into a Networking Support Package option for packaged VM/IS 5. Other 9370 enhancements include support for the 3088 Multi-System Channel Communications Unit, the 3814 Switching Management System, the 3044/3088 Fibre Optic Channel Extender Link, and the new IBM 3737 Remote Channel-to-Channel Unit so 9370s can be added to Data Centres. IBM has also gone to Telex Corp for a new tape drive for the 9370, the 1589.
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