Java users to get seamless servers from Big Blue SNA

IBM is developing a version of SNA for Java that will enable users to link Java applets to mainframe systems over SNA networks without the need for the expensive TCP/IP gateways that are currently required.

The product consists of two extensions to SNA: a Java class loader, which enables Java applets to be transferred over SNA's LU6.2 protocol without a gateway, and a Java binder, which allows Java programmers to write to SNA's common programming interface.

This enables the applets to connect seamlessly to Net and mainframe servers.

The software will run on W95 and OS/2, and will be released mid-1997.