Changes Have Recently Been Made to Dialup Hardware

Several changes have recently been made to the hardware used for dialup access to CIT computer facilities. The new hardware replaces some outdated equipment and consolidates a number of phone lines to provide more reliable, efficient access. Virtually no disruption to users occurred in early December when changes were made to the hardware that supports dialup WYLBUR and TSO services on the MVS South system.

More recently, changes were made to the hardware that supports access to the MVS South protocol converter facility, the MVS North Renex and BTAM facilities, and dialup RJE and SNA facilities for both MVS North and South systems. During the hardware upgrade, it became apparent that several current facilities are underused and obsolete, and so we will remove them. Please read the following to learn what you need to do to if you currently use them.

• Renex Facility to Be Removed April 17

  The North MVS Renex facility, accessed at 443-3960 and 443-5500 with RLINK, is rarely used. Because providing support for this facility has become impractical and uneconomical, CIT will remove the Renex facility from the MVS North system on Monday, April 17, 2000. If you are using Renex, please call TASC to determine what you should use as a replacement.

• Bell 208B Modems to Be Phased Out Soon

  In the near future, CIT will phase out support for RJE terminals using the older, obsolete Bell 208B modems to access NIH facilities—both North and South. RJE terminals should be using Hayes-compatible V.32 modems. If you are using Bell 208B modems, please call TASC for information on replacing these obsolete modems.

• North BTAM Facilities to Be Phased Out April 17

  Access to North MVS North system services via dialup BTAM—for example, North MVS WYLBUR or Model 204 via 443-5550—will no longer be available as of April 17. BTAM is an obsolete facility that is no longer supported. If this presents problems, please call TASC.

Interface 213 (March 15, 2000)