Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between NetEx and NetEx/IP?

NetEx/IP is the NetEx high performance data transport protocol rewritten to allow businesses to send large amounts of data over any standards-based, corporate IP network. All existing NetEx APIs are maintained. Current NetEx-based applications, such as custom-written user applications, USER-Access™, BFX™, PFX™, TPS™ and CONNECT:Direct® don't have to be modified or changed to use NetEx/IP.

What are the software and hardware requirements?

For systems running ESCON or Bustag connections, an IBM eserver xSeries server running NetEx/IP software replaces DXE platforms. For UNIX systems, NetEx/IP operates directly over IP-based network interface cards.

What kind of performance can I expect? Versus NetEx? Versus TCP/IP?

In benchmark comparisons conducted by users, NetEx/IP delivers equal or superior performance to NetEx. Over distances, NetEx/IP has a striking advantage over TCP/IP. TCP/IP performance, for example, degrades with distance, usually after only a few hundred miles. In simulated lab environment tests, NetEx/IP delivers sustained performance, regardless of distance, and is capable of sustaining 93 Mb/s over a 100 Mb/s Fast Ethernet interface. At a distance of a 1000 miles, this is nine times faster than TCP/IP. At greater distances, NetEx/IP's advantage grows.

Why is now the time to migrate to NetEx/IP?

Businesses that use proprietary DXE hardware and networks must begin replacing these platforms, since DXE is an end-of-lifecycle technology that will soon no longer be supported by StorageTek. Businesses are also facing mandates to consolidate over standards-based, corporate IP networks for reasons of cost and efficiency. Rewriting existing applications to operate over TCP/IP can be an enormously expensive process requiring extensive testing for businesses with large NetEx installations. NetEx/IP provides a smooth, trouble-free migration path to IP networks and eliminates the need to rewrite or modify existing applications.

What kind of return on investment can I expect?

Implementing a NetEx/IP solution requires a fraction of the time, cost and exposure of rewriting existing mission critical applications for TCP/IP. You can expect a rapid return on investment, typically less than six months, but often much faster. For some organizations, savings will be in the millions of dollars.

How is IP supported and implemented in NetEx/IP?

NetEx/IP maps NetEx addresses to IP packets and uses IP to transmit data across typical routed networks. Unlike TCP/IP, however, NetEx/IP transmits data in very large block sizes over channels, and has a larger window (or proceed counts) than TCP/IP. NetEx/IP also features greater protocol stack efficiency than TCP/IP, and unlike TCP/IP, the NetEx/IP architecture is never a limiting factor in performance. This allows NetEx/IP to operate with fewer processing cycles and IO operations, transmit more data per message, and fills LAN or WAN pipes to greater capacity than TCP/IP. This is especially true for long distance, "high latency" networks like T1, T3, ATM, and satellite transmission.

Can I use my existing FDDI network infrastructure for NetEx/IP?

Yes. NetEx/IP supports FDDI as an IP network. In fact, NetEx/IP can operate over any standards based network infrastructure including FDDI, Fast/Gig Ethernet, T1, T3, ATM, and the Internet.

How does the NetEx/IP co-exist with my current IP infrastructure?

A NetEx/IP application can use any existing IP infrastructure in place today, including routers and edge devices that are part of the IP network. It is as simple as integrating your NetEx/IP traffic into your existing IP network. That way your NetEx/IP applications can coexist with any IP managed service that may be used. The NetEx/IP solution is fully integrated within your existing IP infrastructure and does not require a separate 'one-off' network as required in the past with DXE.

Can I use my existing NetEx applications?

Yes. With all NetEx API’s protected, NetEx/IP supports both IP and DXE/HYPERchannel networks. You can run applications on both networks simultaneously during implementation and testing of NetEx/IP, or implement NetEx/IP over time, avoiding an “all or nothing” conversion.

Do we need to upgrade all hosts in the network to NetEx/IP to take advantage of IP connectivity?

No. For those customers that have NetEx applications that reside on unsupported legacy systems or are using Peripheral Interface (PI) cards from Network Systems/StorageTek, IP connectivity is still possible. The NetEx/HC IP Gateway allows legacy network traffic to be converted to NetEx/IP and enables file transfer over IP-based networks such as Fast Ethernet. This allows you to continue to use legacy networks as before, and also interconnect them with IP networks, creating IP connectivity that some legacy systems may not be capable of today.

Do I lose any capabilities I have with my DXE adapter when I replace it with a an IBM eserver xSeries server running NetEx/IP?

No. The NetEx/IP & IBM solution provides more functionality than DXE and allows customers to stay current with technology rather than lag behind. The NetEx protocol remains intact and all operational capabilities are still possible with NetEx/IP. From a hardware solution standpoint, the IBM server provides a faster processor, more memory and supports a variety of standard interfaces not available on DXE.

What do I have to do to implement NetEx/IP?

Implementation of NetEx/IP is straightforward and can be phased in as your production schedules and operational needs dictate. During implementation, traffic can run over both NetEx/IP and existing DXE/HYPERchannel networks concurrently, making testing relatively easy. And normal procedures can be followed for network upgrades, since there are no special requirements for installation. NetEx support includes 9 x 5 direct help and 24 x 7 emergency assistance, and a full array of professional services, from installation assistance to system and network configuration.