PC host connectivity

A PC- host coupling is a coupling between a personal computer (PC) and a host. Such a coupling can be implemented in the form of a client- server architecture or as a peer-to-peer network between a local area network( LAN) and a large system environment.

The application scenario allows application programs on the host to be used as if the local personal computer (PC) were a terminal and the PC LAN server were a cluster controller, e.g. with NetWare as the system application architecture( SAA). Programs on the host can communicate with programs on the personal computer as if both were equal, e.g., with Advanced Program to Program Communication( APPC). On the other hand, multiple computers can interact on an equal basis, which can be especially advantageous with Unix systems.

Finally, one can make the host a "server server", which in turn offers background performance to the connected LAN servers, e.g. a file system. Everything related to the connection between host systems and PC LANs is also called host connectivity.