Characteristics of EE connections

EE is a simple set of extensions to the existing, open HPR technology. It integrates the HPR frames using User Datagram Protocol/Internet Protocol (UDP/IP) packets to deliver dependable SNA networking benefits to corporate intranets and the Internet. EE provides the following benefits:

Ability to use all z/OS® Communications Server IP DLCs
Seamless IP/SNA integration

For more information about HPR, see Implementing an APPN network.

From the perspective of the HPR network, the connection across the IP backbone looks like a logical link; in the IP network, the SNA traffic is just UDP application datagrams that are routed to the IP backbone. Unlike gateways, there is no protocol transformation; and unlike common tunneling mechanisms, the integration is performed at the routing layers without the overhead of additional transport functions.

Sessions do not have to go through a specific subarea (VTAM® and NCP) attachment point (boundary function) because EE is based on peer networking. This helps to optimize network flow.

Restriction: Because EE relies on the APPN/HPR protocols, only SNA sessions are supported. SNA sessions involving both independent LUs and dependent LUs are supported across EE connections, with DLUR providing the boundary services for the dependent LUs.