Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!ginosko!gem.mps.ohio-state.edu!apple!agate!ucbvax!sco.UUCP!jeffr From: jeffr@sco.UUCP (jeffr) Newsgroups: comp.protocols.ibm Subject: Re: Looking for a Good Reference on SNA Message-ID: <8910020637.AA13241@jade.berkeley.edu> Date: 2 Oct 89 00:28:45 GMT Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Reply-To: jeffrOrganization: The Internet Lines: 46 In article adnan@sgtech.UUCP (Adnan Yaqub) writes: >Anybody know of a good introductory reference on SNA in particular and >(possibly) IBM protocols in general? A few people have suggested things like the protocol reference documents by IBM. These are not good introductory material, unless you are prepared to try to absorb massive amounts of detailed specification before you begin to understand what is going on. On the other hand, those documents are essential if you are going to try to implement these protocols. There are at least three books I can suggest. I know that there are more. (1) Cypser, R.J. _Communications_Architecture_for_Distributed_Systems_, Addison-Wesley, 1978(?). For a long time the standard introduction to SNA, this book is now kind of out of date. I've heard a rumor that a newer edition was being prepared but I don't know if it is true. This book purports to be a general introduction to data communications concepts using SNA as an example. Given the date it was written, I suppose it was OK then, but now it is severely lacking in several areas, including discussion of LAN technologies, the newer Extended Network Addressing, LU6.2, and all of that sort of thing. It may probably serve as a general introduction to the concepts, though, if you are willing to accept that some of the details are out of date. (2) Guruge, Anura, _SNA:_Theory_and_Practice_, Pergamon Infotech, 1984. This is more up-to-date but is very detailed and a little dry. It may or may not serve as a good introduction. If you don't know much about general data communications concepts, don't bother with this book first. (3) Martin, James, [title and publisher unknown], 1988 or 1989. I haven't read this book but I've been told --- by somebody I work with who has --- that it is a pretty good introduction, and that it is the most up-to-date. I have seen it, and it has lots of nice diagrams (for what this is worth). I'd probably look for this one first, then try for the others. I am certain that there others, though. I've seen them while browsing at Computer Literacy bookstore in San Jose, CA. In the SF bay area I've seen other bookstores like Stanford's and Stacy's that are likely to have such books. Elsewhere you're on your own. Jeff Radick Networking & Communications The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc. ...!uunet!sco!jeffr or jeffr@sco.COM