1974 Computer History: What is IBM SNA System Network Architecture? (Protocol Explained)

Computer History 1974: Original IBM film announcing IBM's “Systems Network Architecture” (SNA), a collection of formats and protocols for interconnecting computers and their resources for optimal communication. Impressive collection of IBM networking and computer equipment is shown. Narrator describes SNA with helpful illustrations and diagrams. One could describe this film as “SNA 101” which is a great place to get started. See the technical links below if you want to dive deeper in to SNA. It was heavily promoted by IBM at the time of its release and for years afterwards. Nearly 50 years old, SNA today is sometimes referred to as a "legacy architecture."
Editing Note: The film master had some clarity issues, so we used a slightly "boxed" format to show this in the YT Channel. The content is well worth watching. We edited 13 seconds of intro content out, and added some new, low key, background ambient music. Runs 10 minutes. Courtesy of IBM Archives and Hagley Museum & Library. Uploaded by Computer History Archives Project (CHAP). We hope you enjoy this gem from the past. Please feel free to share your experiences with SNA or similar IBM networking protocols or technology.
IBM SNA at IBM's Knowledge Center
www.ibm.com/su...
IBM Systems Network Architecture
en.wikipedia.o...
Hagley Museum and Library
www.hagley.org/
old stat: 3190

[@MrMyc70]

SNA was just part of the backbone, it really needed VTAM and NCP to function in a mainframe environment. Good to see the good old days of real computing advancement.

[@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject]

Hi MrMyc70, excellent point! Thanks! ~ Victor

[@nicolek4076]

VTAM and NCP were the software products, that amongst others, implemented SNA. I love the way that this film presents as a major advance the solution to a problem created by IBM itself.

[@xboxbml]

VTAM/NCCF/IMS/CICS/3725/3745/ComTen FEP/300-1200baud/2400analogue-4800/9600DDS/19.2/56k/T1/DS3/4mb-16mb Token Ring/FDDI/Ethernet-thicknet/thinnet/10baseT/100BaseT/1000baseT/4gb/10gb/40gb-WiFi and all its iterations…yeah we’ve come a long way…brings back memories…think I may have forgotten a couple others I’ve touched..fun stuff..

[@scottyanke655]

This brings back memories. I used to program the 3274 terminal controllers, the 3705 front end controllers, and eventually the 3174's. In the late 70's SNA was pretty universally derided, and companies came up with their own business to business solutions. Surprised there was no mention of SDLC, BiSync or any of the other communications protocols.

[@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject]

Hi Scott, sounds like you have some great experience! Yes, it would have nice to hear something about SDLC or BiSync. There must be some good video info about those in existence. Perhaps we can locate some. Thanks very much! ~ Victor, CHAP

[@nicolek4076]

I don't recall the 3274, 3705 or 3174 as programmable devices. They could be configured, certainly, but the functionality was fixed.

[@papablue5665]

Binge watching this channel 1am. SNA was nightmare for my team on a non-IBM upgrade. Network failure was in SNA.. so obviously our problem at IBM. Was working to get an expert to fly out from our comm services in Raleigh. He called me.. root cause was partner company had tried to reverse engineer what they needed. Fixed and the company had to admit they caused m/f outage.

[@tpcdude]

SNA was a nightmare for a non IBM supplier to implement. we continued to sell HASP bisync solutions for DEC tp IBM connectivity.

[@ignaciomenendez8672]

The cartoon figure for the TP controller looks like an IBM-3705

[@JacoBecker]

Excellent - very informative !

[@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject]

Jaco, thank you for the feedback. Glad you enjoyed it! ~ Victor

[@PatrickRosenbalm]

Very interesting video as always. Give one an idea of how far things have come. I remember using an IBM ATM similar to what is being used at 2:02. The keypad is identical but the CRT display isn't. It used a a orange single line dot matrix neon display. The keypad was a membrane type under a plastic frame. It made a buzz like sound with about a quarter of a second duration when you pressed the keypad numbers and functions. I think they (Bank of Maryville in TN) installed them in 1978 or 1979. I think they were in use until 1983 or 1984.

[@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject]

Hi Patrick, very interesting "behind the scenes" info. Thanks! ~ Victor, at CHAP

[@deepsleep7822]

Good ol’ SNA.

[@circuitboardsushi]

The ambient music is fire

[@dalecomer5951]

I would have liked the film a lot better if it had used actual IBM hardware with model numbers, etc., for illustration. Although SNA was much criticized as a closed network architecture, it added a lot of flexibility for operators of IBM systems.

[@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject]

Dale, I agree. It would have been more helpful to see physical devices and model numbers to help understand the range of connectivity that the SNA protocol provided. This film was done by a third-party for IBM, and they took a simpler (less costly) approach. : )

[@ronaldlee3537]

Is TCP/IP the successor to SNA?

[@jimmypk1353]

Does anyone know what sort of film did they use? Its so rich in color.

[@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject]

Great observation and great question. We do know that the film was produced by Aerolog Productions, a company founded in 1963 by William Franklin Joyce, a filmmaker and pioneer in the field of aviation photography. He wrote, directed and produced commercial and educational films for Grumman Aerospace, the Navy, IBM and the Smithsonian, and founded a company called “Motion Picture Techniques,” which I cannot find any info on. He obviously had some expertise in photography and film techniques, it would be great to learn more about them. He was also a photographic tests officer at the Air Force Proving Ground Command in Florida, and traveled to the Bikini Islands in the Pacific to photograph the first postwar atomic bomb tests. ~~ thanks again for the great question~ ~ Victor

[@JohnAdorjan]

This is how now began.

[@JohnAdorjan]

Next, I’m gonna watch TRON. ( seriously )

[@norcal715]

First! Yes