Network Software Associates Inc of Laguna Hills, California is claiming a technological breakthrough in the IBM SNA world for its AdaptAsync hardware-software product, which it says enables MS-DOS and OS/2 micros to communicate with an IBM host over asynchronous lines while functioning as fully intelligent workstations under SNA, avoiding the need for expensive synchronous hardware. The secret is that a specially adapted personal computer has to be installed at the host end of the line, and it is this machine that fools the host into thinking it is talking to a series of synchronous devices. AdaptAsync is claimed to support all major SNA communications facilities over async lines, including co-operative processing with LU6.2 emulation and Advanced Program-to-Program Communications; batch file transfers using 3770/RJE; interactive host communications using the 3270 protocol, and the LU0 program-to-program communications protocol. A personal computer attached to an SNA network would normally need a synchronous modem and synchronous data link control adaptor, but with AdaptAsync, it can use the standard serial port and an async modem. Four MS-DOS packages are available for the terminal end – AdaptSNA LU6.2, $285; AdaptSNA RJE, $785; AdaptSNA 3270, $585; AdaptSNA LUO, no price. Since the remote end is pure software, laptops can be supported. At the host end, an MS-DOS micro called the AdaptAsync controller has to be installed. It provides the async-to-SDLC translation functions, access control and status display. Up to 32 concurrent remote personal computers are supported by one AdaptAsync controller and multiple controllers can be installed. The AdaptAsync controller, from $2,000, provides complete SNA support, including 128 concurrent Logical Units; it connects to an IBM 37X5 front-end communications processor.
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