Super SNA World
Super SNA World is a network project run by the Crusty Computer Club, which aims to build a network of IBM midrange and mainframe systems across the world. Any system supporting SNA and SDLC is welcome to join, so bring your System/36s, AS/400s, and Multiprise S/390s!
Host Requirements
Your host system must have a capable V.24 or V.35 SDLC communications line. You must also have communications support and, if applicable, ICF installed on your host system. For AS/400 or System/36 cable part numbers, see Part Numbers/Cables
For hardware System/36 operators, you will typically be limited to V.24 connectivity at a maximum of 19,200 BPS. V.35 cards were an option, but we do not know of a System/36 that was equipped with one.
For AS/400 operators, or those joining an Advanced/36 VM, you will generally have the choice of V.24 at 19,200 BPS or V.35 at up to 1 Mbps.
Network Requirements
You must have a router capable of supporting DLSW communications and a synchronous serial adapter. Your router must also support IPsec-PSK tunnelling, AES-128 and SHA256 encryption.
To the best of our knowledge, only Cisco routers are supported. We recommend the following Cisco routers for an all-in-one Super SNA World router:
- Cisco 819 (small, compact LTE-integrated router, also has an SDLC-capable serial port built in)
- Cisco 1800 series? (untested)
- Cisco 1900 series
- Cisco 2800 series (AIM-VPN card required)
- Cisco 2900 series
- Cisco 3800 series (AIM-VPN card required)
- Cisco 3900 series
You can also use a newer Cisco router to handle the VPN connectivity while an older Cisco router handles the DLSW and serial connectivity.
For newer Cisco routers that are not the 819, you should be running the latest UNIVERSALK9 IOS image available to you with the SECURITYK9 and DATAK9 packages activated. For older Cisco routers, you will need to find an image with Ethernet and DLSW support.
If you are using a Cisco 1x00, 2x00 or 3x00 router, one of the following cards is required:
| Cisco Card | Description | Compatible With |
|---|---|---|
| WIC-1T | One-port non-Smart Serial | 2600, 2700, 3600, 3700 |
| WIC-2A/S | Two-port Smart Serial | 2600, 2700, 3600, 3700 |
| NM-4A/S | Four-port non-Smart Serial | 2600, 2700, 3600, 3700 |
| NM-8A/S | Eight-port non-Smart Serial | 2600, 2700, 3600, 3700 |
| HWIC-1T | One-port Smart Serial | 1800, 1900, 2800, 2900, 3800, 3900 |
| HWIC-2T | Two-port Smart Serial | 1800, 1900, 2800, 2900, 3800, 3900 |
| HWIC-4T | Four-port Smart Serial | 1800, 1900, 2800, 2900, 3800, 3900 |
If you would like to use a Cisco 819 on LTE, we have a compatibility table. Cisco has several variants of the 819 router ranging from "Standard" (C819G), Security Hardened (C819HG), Standard with Wi-Fi (C819GW), and Security Hardened with Wi-Fi (C819HGW). All variants will work for Super SNA World. Be advised that Cisco sold these routers in both 3G and 4G LTE varieties as well and as of 2025 most carriers have either shut down 3G networks or are no longer allowing new 3G devices to be activated. The 4G-ST-K9 is a Sprint router and following T-Mobile's acquisition of Sprint in 2020, Sprint devices are no longer permitted to be activated. All 3G routers and the 4G-ST-K9 can be used as compact Ethernet-only routers, however.
| Submodel | Bands Supported | Carrier/Country Support |
|---|---|---|
| 4G-NA-K9 | LTE Band 2, 4, 5, 17 | AT&T (USA) |
| 4G-VZ-K9 | LTE Band 4, 13 | Verizon (USA) |
| LTE-MNA-K9 | LTE Band 2, 4, 5, 17, 13, 25 | AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile (USA), all Canadian carriers |
| 4G-GA-K9 | LTE Band 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | All EMEA carriers |
For the serial link, you will need one of the following cables:
V.24
- CAB-232FC (non-Smart Serial)
- CAB-SS-232FC (Smart Serial)
V.35
- CAB-V35FC (non-Smart Serial)
- CAB-SS-V35FC (Smart Serial)
Configuration
To configure your host system, please read the following guide for your OS:
Super SNA World - OS/400 Configuration
Super SNA World - SSP Configuration
To configure your router, please contact Your Next Level of Support so that we can negotiate PSKs and IP space.
