How to evaluate Conversion Devices in SNA networks.

Conversion Devices = Bridges, Routers, LLC Converters, FRADs, and etc.

We get many inquiries from end users and product developers saying they "just want to generate SNA traffic and don't want to do SNA testing. Our device just passes data".

Our reply is Y-E-S you do want to do SNA testing, to ensure the device(s) being evaluated are non-intrusive to existing SNA networks.

The following types of tests should be run:: 1. SNA Conformance tests; 2. Functionality tests; 3. Performance tests

In order to evaluate such devices we propose a two step testing process:

1. Run tests directly to a 3270 emulation product.

2. Run tests to a 3270 emulation product with the network device(s) to be evaluated or Implementation Under Test (IUT) to be evaluated present.

The results of the SNA conformance and functionality tests (number of tests run, passed, and failed) should not change with the IUT present.

The performance test results should be evaluated for acceptable degradation.