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Walker, Richer & Quinn, Inc.
As free TCP/IP software becomes increasingly available, data center managers have new choices to make. Evaluations must consider whether free software provides the connectivity, features, performance, and ease of use required in todays organization. In addition, free software can incur costs in unexpected areas. This chapter uncovers the critical issues when the decision is being made to use free TCP/IP software, discusses interconnectivity issues when introducing a vendors TCP/IP software into the organization, and examines the implications for an AS/400 environment.
The growth in TCP/IP is explosive. All major hardware vendors, including IBM, have endorsed TCP/IP. By 1998, it is projected that 59% of all midrange systems, including UNIX and AS/400s, will be running TCP/IP, and desktop installations of TCP/IP will rise to more than 50%. As TCP/IP becomes the established networking standard, management tools and new applications will become even more important, along with proven reliability and strong technical support. Free TCP/IP stacks may be satisfactory for a casual user, but they are less likely to fulfill the needs of complex corporate environments, now and in the future.
Even though a free protocol suite may appear to fill all the organizations needs, many data center managers have been surprised to discover that that is not always the case, particularly in corporate environments. Not only do free suites usually lack the robust functionality of purchased TCP/IP software, but they also often involve hidden costs. Because an application is only as reliable as the protocol suite it runs on, it pays to review some considerations, outlined in this chapter, before selecting a product.
In addition, companies that analyze TCP/IP stacks should look at both architecture and applications when they choose a stack for their complex enterprises. Architecture makes a difference to the ultimate functioning of the stack in such areas as mobile connectivity and configuration flexibility. Kernel applications, those that are critical to the smooth functioning of an enterprise network that are integrated into TCP/IP, vary widely among stacks. This chapter discusses the importance of kernel applications and identifies specific issues for the data center manager to examine.
Finally, AS/400 vendors and customers have been paying close attention to the proliferation of TCP/IP. Many organizations have opted for the promise of open networking with less expensive implementations and information sharing with other systems, across a common backbone network. Unfortunately, with the promise comes compromise. This chapter illustrates the differences between TCP/IP and IBMs proprietary networking technology, Advanced Peer-to-Peer Communication (APPC) and illustrates the limitations of TCP/IP in an AS/400environment. The chapter concludes with suggestions for maximizing the benefits of TCP/IP without sacrificing the comprehensive nature of an APPC connection.
If the organization is considering a particular TCP/IP implementation, data center managers must ask questions to determine whether the software is designed for the needs of large, corporate networks. Free data communications protocol suites, also known as stacks because they involve more than one protocol, should be examined closely; the following sections discuss critical questions data center managers must ask to uncover possible pitfalls. (Exhibit 1 offers a checklist for identifying high-value TCP/IP software.)
Exhibit 1. A TCP/IP Checklist for Identifying High-Value TCP/IP Software
Software designed for corporate environments:
A product backed by a company with solid experience in host systems, networking, and desktop programs. Knowledgeable and ongoing free technical support that includes online services and fax-on-demand information. Complete, easy-to-read documentation. Limited site license agreements that allow free updates for at least one year. Favorable ratings in independent comparisons by industry publications and evaluators.
For the casual user, a free TCP/IP stack may provide all the necessary functionality. If the organization has several networks and users, however, the requirements may far outstrip what a free stack can provide. In this situation, data center managers must consider a stack that is compliant with current standards, that does not sacrifice access to legacy systems, and that delivers the required capabilities for mission-critical computing. Capabilities include:
Costs result from a multitude of inefficiencies. Areas the data center manager should examine closely are performance, name and address resolution, remote and mobile computing, and open connectivity. Managers should:
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