# Open Systems Adapter

> interface which connects IBM mainframe to networks, including Ethernet, Token Ring and FDDI

**Wikidata**: [Q7096247](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7096247)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Systems_Adapter)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/open-systems-adapter

## Summary
Open Systems Adapter (OSA) is a network interface that connects an IBM mainframe to computer networks. It supports network types including Ethernet, Token Ring, and FDDI. OSA is a hardware network card manufactured by IBM for the IBM mainframe platform.

## Key Facts
- Open Systems Adapter is also known by the alias **OSA**.
- It is an **interface that connects an IBM mainframe to networks**, including **Ethernet**, **Token Ring**, and **FDDI**.
- Open Systems Adapter is an **instance of: network card** (a hardware component that connects a computer to a computer network).
- The **platform** for Open Systems Adapter is **IBM mainframe**.
- The **manufacturer** of Open Systems Adapter is **IBM**.
- It has a **Freebase ID** of **/m/03clxft**.
- The Wikidata description states it connects IBM mainframes to networks including Ethernet, Token Ring, and FDDI.
- Wikipedia metadata in the source indicates the English title **“Open Systems Adapter”**.

## FAQs
### Q: What is an Open Systems Adapter (OSA)?
A: Open Systems Adapter (OSA) is a network interface card used to connect an IBM mainframe to computer networks. It supports network types including Ethernet, Token Ring, and FDDI.

### Q: What systems is OSA used with?
A: OSA is used on the **IBM mainframe** platform. It is designed as a network card interface for IBM mainframe connectivity.

### Q: What network technologies does OSA support?
A: The provided source material lists **Ethernet**, **Token Ring**, and **FDDI** as supported network types. These are the networks OSA connects IBM mainframes to.

### Q: Who makes the Open Systems Adapter?
A: The manufacturer of Open Systems Adapter is **IBM**. IBM is identified in the source material as the producing organization.

## Why It Matters
Open Systems Adapter matters because it provides a hardware interface for connecting IBM mainframes to external computer networks. Mainframes are often deployed in environments where reliable network connectivity is essential, and OSA fills the role of a network card for the IBM mainframe platform. By supporting multiple network types—specifically Ethernet, Token Ring, and FDDI—OSA enables IBM mainframes to interface with different networking infrastructures. This is significant in organizations that may operate heterogeneous networks or have legacy network technologies alongside more common ones. In practical terms, OSA is the component that allows a mainframe to participate in network communication, making it possible to integrate mainframe computing into broader networked systems. Its classification as a network card and its association with IBM position it as a key piece of hardware for mainframe networking.

## Notable For
- Being a **network card interface specifically for IBM mainframes**.
- Connecting IBM mainframes to networks including **Ethernet**, **Token Ring**, and **FDDI**.
- Being **manufactured by IBM**.
- Being explicitly classified as an **instance of “network card”** in the provided structured properties.

## Body
### Overview
- **Name:** Open Systems Adapter  
- **Alias:** OSA  
- **Type:** Network interface / network card  
- **Purpose:** Connects an **IBM mainframe** to computer networks.

### Classification and Manufacturer
- **Instance of:** network card (hardware component that connects a computer to a computer network).
- **Manufacturer:** IBM.
- **Platform:** IBM mainframe.

### Network Connectivity Supported
Open Systems Adapter is described as an interface connecting IBM mainframes to networks, including:
- **Ethernet**
- **Token Ring**
- **FDDI**

### Identifiers and Reference Metadata
- **Freebase ID:** /m/03clxft
- **Wikipedia title (en):** Open Systems Adapter
- **Wikidata description (as provided):** interface which connects IBM mainframe to networks, including Ethernet, Token Ring and FDDI