# Using the Smart NETB interface

Most 3270 software packages allow you to use NETBIOS protocols for communication between the gateway and 3270 workstations. This configuration is popular amongst users of IBM LAN Server and Microsoft LAN Manager. If you are using the Smart NETB module on 3270 gateways, you may need to increase some NETB parameters from their defaults (This will depend upon the 3270 application you are using).

The NETB parameters you may need to alter on your gateway computer are as follows:

SESSIONS
We recommend you set this parameter to the maximum number of 3270 sessions that the amount of memory in your workstations permits them to use.
Range: 1-254 Default: 24
Abbreviation: S

NAMES
We recommend you increase this to the maximum number of 3270 workstations that you are intending to have connected to your gateway + 2.
Range: 2-254 Default: 12
Abbreviation: N

COMMANDS
You may need to increase this parameter if the network traffic on your gateway is particularly heavy. Increase the parameter if you find that 3270 sessions fail at busy times of the day.
Range: 1 - 255 Default: 24
Abbreviation: C