Overview of SNA IMF

Systems Network Architecture Interactive Mainframe Facility (SNA IMF) is a Hewlett-Packard software product based on IBM's Systems Network Architecture (SNA). SNA IMF allows an HP 3000 to communicate with a remote host in an IBM 3270 environment. Using SNA IMF, the HP 3000 functions as a Type 2.0 node in an SNA network. Devices attached to the HP 3000 emulate the functions of IBM 3278 display stations and IBM 3287 printers.

The HP 3000 plays the same role in an SNA network that the IBM 3276 or 3274 Cluster Controller plays in a remote IBM environment. Figure 1-1 “The HP 3000 in the IBM 3270 Environment” shows how the HP 3000 fits into the IBM 3270 environment.

Figure 1-1 The HP 3000 in the IBM 3270 Environment

SNA IMF supports the "base set" of IBM 3274 Cluster Controller functions. The following 3274 functions are not supported:

SNA IMF allows HP 3000 programs and attached devices to exchange data with application subsystems on an IBM host. These IBM application subsystems include the Customer Information Control System (CICS), Information Management System (IMS), and Time Sharing Option (TSO).