IBM LU6.2

IBM LU6.2 (Logical Unit 6.2) is a communications protocol developed by IBM as part of its Systems Network Architecture (SNA). It is an advanced program-to-program communication (APPC) protocol, allowing distributed applications to communicate and exchange data with each other over a network.

LU6.2 provides a standardized interface and set of rules for inter-application communication. It is characterized by its peer-to-peer architecture, meaning any system implementing LU6.2 can initiate a conversation with any other LU6.2 system. This contrasts with earlier SNA protocols which were primarily host-centric.

Key features of LU6.2 include:

• Peer-to-Peer Communication: Applications can communicate directly without relying on a central host.
• Session Management: LU6.2 defines how sessions (logical connections) are established, maintained, and terminated between applications.
• Transaction Management: The protocol supports transaction processing, ensuring data consistency and reliability during communication.
• Error Recovery: LU6.2 incorporates mechanisms for error detection and recovery to ensure reliable data transfer.
• Data Conversion: The protocol provides facilities for data conversion between different data formats used by communicating applications.

LU6.2 was widely adopted in the 1980s and 1990s as a key enabling technology for distributed computing and client-server applications. While newer protocols like TCP/IP have become more prevalent, LU6.2 remains relevant in legacy systems and continues to be supported in some environments. Its influence can be seen in later distributed communication protocols. It provided a solid foundation for transaction processing and distributed data exchange.