          TITLE: NetWare 5250 Gateway Rules of Thumb 
     DOCUMENT #: TD.S.R4 
           DATE: 4/91 
        PRODUCT: 5250 Gateway  
PRODUCT VERSION: 2    
     SUPERSEDES: NA  
 
                      Technical Discussion 
Novell has endeavored to make the NetWare 5250 Gateway Version 2 reliable,
efficient, and easy to use.  To aid you in configuring the NetWare 5250 Gateway
for optimal reliability and performance, we asked our engineers what components
they would use if they were installing the product, and to provide technical
tips for users setting up a 5250 Gateway.  Here's what they said.   
The 5250 Gateway Version 2 lets you use PCs on a NetWare LAN as if they were IBM
5250 devices.  Through the 5250 Gateway Server, PCs on a LAN (5250 LAN
Workstations) can communicate with an IBM AS/400 or System/3X (S/3X) host just
like actual 5250 devices.  
Users can also hot-key between host sessions and DOS and continue their work in
DOS.  
  
The NetWare 5250 Gateway gives you two connectivity options:      
> A local twinax connection option from the 5250 Gateway Server to an AS/400 or
S/3X  
  
> A remote SDLC connection option from the 5250 Gateway Server to an  AS/400 or
S/3X  
  
TWINAX CONNECTION OPTION (7 Host Sessions)  
With the twinax connection option, you use a twinax adapter and twinax cable to
connect the Gateway Server directly to the host or to a controller connected to
the host.  The Gateway Server lets you distribute up to seven AS/400 or S/3X
sessions to workstations on the NetWare LAN. Each 5250 LAN Workstation can 
access up to five of the seven available host sessions and one DOS session.   
  
With the twinax option, you can also connect the Gateway Server to the host via
twisted-pair wiring, using a Novell Twinax Adapter for PC, baluns, and a
multiconnector.  The baluns and multiconnectors that have been tested are listed
below.  
  
SDLC CONNECTION OPTION (9 Host Sessions)  
With the SDLC option, you connect the Gateway Server to the host through a
synchronous adapter and a modem line using the SDLC protocol.  The Gateway
Server distributes up to nine concurrent IBM AS/400 or S/3X sessions to
workstations on the NetWare LAN.  
Each NetWare 5250 LAN Workstation can access up to five of the nine available
host sessions and one DOS session.    
  
Network Protocols and LAN Adapters  
Novell NetWare network products are optimized for use with the IPX/SPX protocol. 
This release of the 5250 Gateway supports IPX/SPX only.  We also suggest that
you use the LAN adapters from the recommended list below because each has been
tested thoroughly with the product.  
  
Twinax Adapters (Twinax Connection Option)  
For the twinax connection, the Gateway Server PC requires one of the following
adapters:  
  
> The Novell Twinax Adapter for PC (we recomend Revision F or higher of the
Novell Twinax Adapter for PC because it has been enhanced for higher clock
speeds)  
  
> The Micro-Integration STWINAX MCA adapter (microchannel bus machines)        
Remote Adapters (SDLC Connection Option)  
For the SDLC option, the Gateway Server requires one of the following adapters: 
o The Novell Synchronous Adapter for PC  
  
o The Novell Synchronous/V.35 Adapter for PC  
  
o An IBM Multiprotocol Adapter/A (for microchannel bus machines)  
  
PERSONAL COMPUTERS  
For the Gateway Server, we recommend any IBM PC/AT, IBM PS/2, or compatible from
the list of recommended PCs.  Note that at this time, we cannot recommend the
use of the Zenith 386/33, the Samsung 3000V, the IBM PS/2 Model 30/286, or the
Epson Equity III as a Gateway Server, because each has failed to perform 
consistently during initial testing.  
  
For optimum performance, we recommend a 386/25 mHz machine. The Gateway Server
PC should meet the following minimum requirements: 
 
o A minimum of 512KB of RAM  
  
o A minimum clock speed of 8 mHz  
  
o A maximum clock speed of 25 mHz  
  
We recommend a dedicated Gateway Server for optimum system performance. Although
using a nondedicated machine for the server may reduce the amount of network
equipment used and save money, a dedicated server is faster and more reliable. 
For the NetWare 5250 LAN Workstation, we recommend any IBM PC/XT, PC/AT, PS/2,
or compatible.  A PC used as the LAN Workstation should have a minimum of 512KB
of RAM.  
  
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE RECOMMENDATIONS  
The following is a list of operating systems, network protocols, connections,
PCs, LAN adapters, modems, and third-party software that have been tested and
are recommended for use with the 5250 Gateway Version 2.  
  
Standard Test Bed Environment  
Network Operating Systems  
SFT NetWare 286 v2.15  
NetWare 386 v3.1  
  
NetWork Protocols  
IPX/SPX  
       
5250 Gateway Version 2 Connections Tested  
Twinax Direct to the Host  
Twinax to Controller  
- IBM 5251 Model 12  
- IBM 5294  
- IBM 5394  
SDLC to the Host  
  
Twinax Adapter Boards Tested  
Novell Twinax Adapter for PC  
STWINAX MCA Adapter (microchannel machines)  
  
Remote Adapter Boards Tested  
Novell Synchronous Adapter for PC  
IBM Multiprotocol Adapter/A  
Novell Synchronous/V.35 Adapter for PC  
  
Modems and Modem Eliminators (SDLC Option)  
Universal Data Systems 208 A/B  
Black Box SME-4 Modem Eliminator  
Black Box SME-V.35 Modem Eliminator  
  
PC USER SOFTWARE TESTED WITH ALL GATEWAY CONFIGURATIONS  
The following PC software was tested with all gateway configurations.*  
DaVinci Email ver. 1.60C  
dBASE III ver. 1.1  
COMPAQ MS DOS rel. 3.31  
IBM PC DOS ver 3.30, ver. 4.0  
Lotus 1-2-3 Networker rel. 2.01n  
NetWare Menus 2.15 rev. C  
WordStar ver.4.0  
  
* These are only a few selected applications.  With some applications, memory
conflicts may occur with large files or spreadsheets.  
  
HOST SOFTWARE TESTED WITH ALL GATEWAY CONFIGURATIONS  
IBM AS/400 Query  
IBM AS/400 Utilities  
o Business Graphics Utility (BGU)  
o Source Entry Utility (SEU)  
o  Data File Utility (DFU)  
o  Interactive Data Definition Utility (IDDU)  
o Screen Design Aid (SDA)  
IBM DisplayWrite/36  
IBM OfficeVision/400  
IBM PC Support/36  
IBM Personal Services/36  
IBM Query/36  
NOTE: IBM AS/400 PC Support is not supported at this time.  
  
PERSONAL COMPUTERS  
AT Bus Environment       Microchannel Bus Environment  
IBM PC/AT IBM*           PS/2 model 50 Z*  
IBM PS/2 Model 30 286    IBM PS/2 model 55 SX**  
COMPAQ Deskpro 386s*     IBM PS/2 model 60*  
COMPAQ Deskpro 286n*     IBM PS/2 model 70E61*  
COMPAQ Deskpro 386/25*   IBM PS/2 model 70A21***  
COMPAQ Deskpro 386n*     IBM PS/2 model 80*  
COMPAQ Deskpro 20e*  
Novell 386A  
Zenith Z-386 SX***  
* Tested as both a 5250 Gateway Server and a 5250 LAN Workstation.      
** Tested with SDLC option only  
*** Tested with twinax option only   
  
LAN Adapters  
The following LAN Adapters were tested.  
AT Bus Environment       Microchannel Bus Environment    
Novell NE1000*           Novell NE/2*  
Novell NE2000*           IBM Token Ring*  
IBM Token Ring*          IBM Token Ring II/A*  
IBM Token Ring 16/4*     IBM Token Ring 16/4/A*  
IBM Token Ring II*       SMC Arcnet PS 100 MCA  
3COM 603 Tokenlink       3COM 523 Etherlink/MC*  
3COM 501 Etherlink**  
3COM 503 Etherlink  
3COM 505 Etherlink  
Novell RX-Net*  
Proteon ProNet/4***  
SMC Arcnet PC 110*  
SMC Arcnet PC 120*  
SMC Arcnet PC 210***  
* Tested with both the 5250 Gateway Server and 5250 LAN Workstation      
** Tested with SDLC option only  
*** Tested with twinax option only  
  
Display Adapters for 5292 Graphics Emulation  
The following display adapters were tested with IBM 5292 graphics display mode,
and also with 5292 Model 1 color emulation.  
Note that 5292 Model 2 graphics works only with the SDLC option. 5292 model 1
color emulation works with both the twinax option and the SDLC option. For the
correct adapter settings, refer to your adapter manual.  
Ahead Systems VGA Enhancer    Paradise VGA Plus  
AST VGA Plus                  Quadram ProSync EGA  
COMPAQ VGA                    Techmar VGA  
Everex Viewpoint VGA          STB Systems Multi Res II EGA  
Genoa Super EGA Hres+         Vega Video Seven VGA  
IBM VGA  

Display Adapters for IBM 3180 Wide-Screen Emulation*  
The following display adapters were tested with 3180-wide-screen display mode
and also with 5292 model 1 color emulation.  Note that 3180 wide-screen mode
works only with the twinax option. 
5292 model 1 color emulation works with both the twinax option and the SDLC
option.  
Ahead Systems VGA Enhancer    Genoa Super EGA HRes+  
Ahead Systems VGA Wizard      IBM VGA     
3270 BIOS ver.201             Paradise VGA Plus     
COMPAQ VGA                    Techmar VGA  
Everex Viewpoint VGA  
* The adapters above were verified to work with the manufacturers' settings for
27 x 132 column emulation. Refer to your adapter manual for the correct
settings. To display 132 columns, your NetWare 5250 LAN Workstation must be
defined as a 3180 display. Our tests were performed using a NEC/MultiSync 3D 
or a Sony Trinitron CPD-1303 monitor.  
  
3180 Settings for Color Monitors  
We have tested the following display adapters for 3180 wide-screen mode with the
indicated settings for color monitors.  
These settings are provided to aid you in configuring your adapter for 3180
wide-screen emulation.  The settings may change as the manufacturers modify the
adapters.  Therefore you should always consult your adapter manual when
configuring your system.  
 
Graphics Adapter      Mode Columns   Rows BIOS      REGEN  BX  
                                            Function  Buffer Opt  
                                            Num       Adres Prm 
 
Ahead Systems VGA Wizard 23   132       28   00        B800 0000  
     3270 BIOS ver. 2.01  
  
Everex Viewpoint VGA     70   132       25   00        B800 000A  
       
                         70   132       43   00        B800 000B  
  
Genoa Super EGA          61   132       28   00        B800 0000  
  
Paradise VGA Plus        55   132       25   00        B800 0000  
       
                         54   132       43   00        B800 0000  
  
Techmar VGA              17   132       25   00        B800 0000  
  
Tseng Labs VGA/16        24   132       28   00        B800 0000  
  
Video 7 Vega VGA         05   132       25   6F        B800 0041  
       
                         05   132       43   6F        B800 0042  
  
Video 7 Fastwrite VGA    05   132       28   6F        B800 0045  
  
Baluns and Multiconnectors  
The following baluns and multiconnectors were tested with the NetWare 5250
Gateway (twinax option), using the IBM System/36.  
For information on connecting the baluns and multiconnectors, refer to your
adapter manual, the multiconnector documentation, or the balun documentation.  
  
Multiconnectors                          Baluns  
Star-Tek Multiconnector, Model 299AT-1P  Star-Tek Balun  
                                           Fibronics Balun, 
FM036-RJ-7B IBM 
5299 Terminal Multiconnector, Model 3      IBM Baluns  
                                           To Host(beige) Part#  
69X7883  
                                           To Workstation (black)  
         Part # 96X6187  
  
CONFIGURATION NOTES  
IBM DOS 3.3, IBM DOS 4.0, MS DOS 3.3, or COMPAQ DOS 3.31 was used on all nodes
when applicable.  
  
When you configure the IBM AS/400 for use with the 5250 Gateway Server, note
that for the twinax option, if the AUTOCONFIGURE parameter is set to ON, the
host automatically configures locally attached devices.  However, if you set up
a connection through a 5250 controller, you must configure the SDLC controllers
and attached devices.  If the AUTOCONFIGURE parameter is set to OFF, you
explicitly specify the primary station addresses for all of the devices that
will be emulated.  For the SDLC option, you must always configure the devices on
the host.  
  
We recommend that you use NetWare 5250 File Transfer for file transfers between
the host and the NetWare 5250 LAN Workstations.