Host Access Solutions: Terminal Emulation Software and Host Integration

Migrating to Web to Host Terminal Emulation

There are many issues to consider when migrating from a traditional desktop emulator to browser-based terminal emulation for access to IBM mainframe (3270), IBM AS/400 (5250) and UNIX (VT) host applications. Here we discuss much of what you need to know to successfully use Zephyr’s PASSPORT WEB TO HOST (PASSPORT) terminal emulation software for host connectivity and integration.

Topics include:

• Using a portal to launch host sessions
• Web integration
• Single sign on
• Supported hardware and software platforms
• Failover and disaster recovery
• End user and connection profiles
• Reporting, auditing and centralized administration
• Infrastructure and security
• Local and host printing
• Integrating with the host application using host screens
• Macros
• Transitioning from a desktop emulator
• Managing licenses and cost comparison

Overview

PASSPORT features the most comprehensive web to host thin client emulation for Microsoft Windows and Internet Explorer and was the first to be integrated within the framework of IE and offer centralized administration from a Microsoft IIS web server. The Zephyr C++ application showcases browser-based connectivity to IBM mainframe, AS/400 and UNIX host applications using TN3270E, TN5250E, VT100, VT220, VT420, SCO ANSI, Wyse 60 and FTP clients, which are included in the host access suite.

Almost all users of PASSPORT are located within a secure organizational network. Many incorporate the use of organizational portals to launch pre-configured PASSPORT host sessions that include PASSPORT macros to access and navigate specific host applications or that work cooperatively with screen-scraping API applications to read and write information to and from the host session.

PASSPORT is a Microsoft certified application for Windows and Internet Explorer and includes the PASSPORT WEB TO HOST Administrator, a web interface that allows network administrators to manage the terminal emulation suite from a centralized web server. Portal integration and centralized administration and deployment collectively translate into lower total cost of ownership, and are primary reasons for considering web to host terminal emulation.

Portal and web integration

It is common for PASSPORT WEB TO HOST users to create HTML links from an organizational portal which will launch sessions, navigate to specific host applications, many of which are located behind menus of host session managers, and more. This is particularly helpful if you have applications located on various platforms or have an extensive list of host applications on a mainframe system. You can also launch a browser session directly from a host session by associating a specific host field, text on the host screen or host screen location with a desired URL. Customers who favor portal integration make extensive use of PASSPORT macros and the PASSPORT Object API, which are outlined more in this presentation.

Single sign-on

PASSPORT has been certified by Passlogix, developers of one of the most popular single sign-on solutions, making it an ideal connectivity tool for either the Passlogix V-GO Single Sign-on solution (which ships pre-configured for the PASSPORT terminal emulation), or the IBM Tivoli Access Manager Enterprise Single Sign-On Solution.

Supported hardware and software platforms

Minimum hardware and software requirements for PASSPORT WEB TO HOST Client:

• Microsoft Windows XP, 2000 or Tablet PC
• Internet Explorer version 5.0 or higher
• Minimum of 32 MB memory, 8 MB disk space
• Windows Sockets version 1.1 or higher
• TCP/IP connection to a TN3270, TN5250, Telnet server and web server

Supported web servers for PASSPORT WEB TO HOST Server and Administrator:

• Microsoft Windows 2003 or 2000 Server with IIS (Recommended)
• IBM WebSphere Application Server version 1.1 and higher, with JSP 1.1 and higher (Not Recommended)
• Apache/Tomcat
• BEA Weblogix

Failover and disaster recovery

Installing an identical PASSPORT back up server(s) provides for redundancy in the event of a failure of the initial connection to the web server. There is no charge for the backup server(s). In the event the primary server fails, simply change the DNS record to point to the back up server for disaster recovery.

User and connection profiles

User profiles and connection profiles are administered by way of the PASSPORT WEB TO HOST Server from a central location and can be accessed via Internet Explorer. If allowed by the administrator, each user can have the option to customize their local profile, making changes to the session (colors, keyboard, hotspots, etc.), which would be saved as they exit their session(s). The user and connection information is stored on both the PASSPORT WEB TO HOST Server and the user's home directory.

For organizations with a large number of users that prefer not to create separate session profiles for each user, a standard session profile can be created and assigned a custom attribute profile that includes configuration information such as toolbar and keyboard map. A link to the standard session profile can then be distributed to all users.

Management and administration: Reporting, auditing and managing licenses

PASSPORT has an Action log, Session Usage log, View Session List log and View User/Group List log, which the administrator can use to review user information and also manage the application. The PASSPORT WEB TO HOST Administrator program, where all configuration data is stored, can be password protected or the web server can be setup to authenticate access to this management resource.

The Action log will generate a file displaying all activity through the PASSPORT WEB TO HOST Server, including the connection dates and times of all users, descriptive connection messages and the total number of users in HTML format. This log is typically used to track all changes that were made to the PASSPORT Administrator program, including when a session is acquired or released.

The Session Usage log will generate a file in HTML format that displays session usage information, whether a Per Seat license or a Concurrent Use license, and includes the minimum and maximum number of sessions in use. If you have a Per Seat license, the log lists the machine name and IP address of each user that has downloaded the PASSPORT WEB TO HOST ActiveX control (which is equal to one per seat license). The log also shows the date and time of each user's most recent connection to the PASSPORT WEB TO HOST Server. This information is not recorded for Concurrent Use licenses since each unit is acquired and released once the emulator is closed.

The View Session List log will generate a list of all host Display or Printer sessions and their assigned attributes and keyboard profiles in HTML format.

The View User/Group List log will generate an HTML list of all Users, Groups and all of the sessions assigned to them.

Infrastructure and security

As a Microsoft certified application, PASSPORT WEB TO HOST has been designed specifically for Microsoft Windows and Internet Explorer and most use the Microsoft IIS web server to deploy and manage the application.

PASSPORT creates a PEC and PECADMIN virtual directory at installation.

PASSPORT will run with default Internet guest accounts with permission needed as described below:

File/Folder
Permissions
\Program Files\PASSPORT eClient Admin\Eclient\Ecomes.zwh
Read
\Program Files\PASSPORT eClient Admin\Eclient\Passman.zwm
Read, Write
\Program Files\PASSPORT eClient Admin\Eclient\
Read, Write
\Program Files\PASSPORT eClient Admin\
Full Control

Zephyr tests all certified Microsoft patches as received. Once tested, maintenance releases incorporating such patches are supplied to the Licensee by Zephyr, who encourages its customers to test the new releases extensively prior to a production deployment.

The first time a user launches a PASSPORT host session, an ActiveX Document is downloaded from the PASSPORT WEB TO HOST Server to the client workstation and expanded. The following message will appear during the download process:

Security Warning - Do you want to install and run PASSPORT WEB TO HOST signed and distributed by Zephyr Corporation?

This authentication features the PASSPORT digital signature obtained from VeriSign Commercial Software Publishers, whose purpose is to ensure that the software is valid and has not been tampered with or corrupted during the download process. There will be no additional downloads in subsequent connections unless there is a new version of PASSPORT WEB TO HOST detected on the web server. If a new version is detected, a new client download occurs.

The default ports and protocols used by PASSPORT are: http (80), https (443), telnet (23), telnet SSL (9923) and FTP (21). These can be reconfigured on the web server or the TN3270 server.

PASSPORT does not use Sun Java, nor is JRE required. The PASSPORT WEB TO HOST Server does use the Microsoft Java Virtual Machine (version 5.0 or higher).

For Windows XP and 2000 operating systems, the user will need permission to download and install the ActiveX Document onto the desktop. PASSPORT oversees the installation of all necessary files on the local PC by way of the automatic download.

Local and host printing

For local or network printing, PASSPORT uses the standard Windows printer defined on the local Windows workstation. For mainframe or AS/400 host printing, you need to configure a separate host printer session that includes the LU name of the host printer session defined on the TN3270E or TN5250E host server. VT pass-through printing is also supported.

Integrating with the host application using host screens

There are 3 documented APIs that developers can use to integrate ActiveX, .NET and other applications with a mainframe, AS/400 or UNIX host application via PASSPORT: HLLAPI, an Object API and a Macro API. Using the host screen as a method for legacy application integration is common because of its low cost, low risk appeal.

For new host integration projects, we recommend using the Object API, which is based on the proposed IETF OHIO (Open Host Interface Objects) standard, and the PASSPORT Object Toolkit can be used to assist with development. PASSPORT also supports the older HLLAPI (High Level Language Application Programming Interface) for the many existing applications that have been written to this IBM standard. For lightweight integration projects, the Macro API can be used for simple automation.

Macros

PASSPORT offers extensive macro support for Visual Basic Script macros. Macros can be used to record keystrokes to automate routine functions such as launching a host session, navigating through the host session and more.

To ease the transition from Attachmate EXTRA!® to PASSPORT, Zephyr created an Attachmate Macro Conversion Tool that automatically converts the proprietary Attachmate macros, developed using EXTRA! Objects, into standard Visual Basic (for use with PASSPORT).

The Attachmate EXTRA!® Macro Conversion Tool is not sold, but is offered as a free service for Zephyr clients that have at least 500 units of software licensed under an annual Subscription License Plan (SLP).

Transitioning from a desktop emulator

Zephyr has extensive experience in transitioning customers from various desktop-based emulators to PASSPORT. We’ve spent years making minor code changes to 'emulate' the incumbent solutions we displace and are the market’s number one displacement vendor.

There are 3 specific areas to pay careful attention to for a successful migration: Screen-scraping applications, macros and end user configuration of the emulator. Our APIs emulate APIs found in common terminal emulators, including Attachmate EXTRA!, IBM Personal Communications (PCOMM) and NetManage Rumba. In 80% or more of the cases, we can use applications written for these emulators as-is.

Zephyr has also developed a macro conversion utility that allows us to convert macros in-house as part of our support services and we have converted thousands of Attachmate EXTRA! macros into VB or VBScript for use with PASSPORT. There is no additional charge for the macro conversion for Zephyr clients with 500 or more licensed units under an annual subscription license. In some cases, macros can be easily re-recorded, where in other cases the macros may need to be re-developed. Zephyr can evaluate your macros and make this determination.

License and Maintenance Costs

PASSPORT includes built-in metering and can be licensed on a per-seat or concurrent use basis. There are currently 2 components to license: the PASSPORT WEB TO HOST Server and the PASSPORT WEB TO HOST Client Licenses. There is no initial license cost plus yearly maintenance. Rather, there is an all-inclusive annual fee that covers the software licenses, technical support, maintenance and product upgrades, including major releases.

Compare Costs

The ability to deploy and manage host access from a centralized web server and the option of launching host sessions from an organizational portal, are the driving forces behind the market transition to browser based terminal emulation. Should you wish to replace or upgrade your traditional desktop emulator, PASSPORT can save you money and help migrate you to a web-based environment.

Listed below is annual pricing for PASSPORT WEB TO HOST. Compare our pricing with your current emulator:

About Zephyr

Zephyr was founded in 1985 as a consultancy that specialized in advanced PC-to-host integration solutions. Early clients included such notable firms as Shell Oil, Boeing, Exxon, IBM, Phillips Petroleum, Upjohn, CDC, Martin Marietta, UPS and many others. The company also developed and licensed source and object code for a long list of networking vendors, including Memorex Telex, Olivetti, ICOT, ICOM and Ericom, developing a reputation as a knowledgeable resource in SNA-based host communication.

When the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) TN3270E and TN5250E standards were being drafted, IBM and Novell approached Zephyr to participate in the creation of key client components and to help co-author advanced requirements of these standards, including SSL security, auto reconnect, load balancing and more. Through this process, PASSPORT as a TN3270E client was born.

Zephyr was invited to join IBM and Novell® on a 13-city tour through the U.S. and Canada to promote this new host access standard. The inclusion of Zephyr in the tour helped Zephyr become a Cisco Enterprise Associate for TN3270E services, paving the way for PASSPORT to become the standard TN3270 client for early TN3270 adopters.

Insurance, banking and financial services, state government and healthcare organizations comprise our largest base of users.

Trademarks

Zephyr, PASSPORT PC TO HOST, PASSPORT WEB TO HOST and PASSPORT Host Integration Objects are trademarks of Zephyr Development Corporation. PASSPORT PC TO HOST® and PASSPORT WEB TO HOST® are registered trademarks of Zephyr Development Corporation. Passlogix and v-GO SSO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Passlogix. BEA and WebLogic are trademarks or registered trademarks of BEA Systems, Inc. WRQ, Reflection, Attachmate, EXTRA! and Attachmate EXTRA!® Objects are registered trademarks of Attachmate-WRQ, Inc. Zephyr is in no way affiliated with Attachmate-WRQ, Inc. Attachmate-WRQ, Inc. has not approved nor authorized the use of the their name, nor their trademarks. Netmanage and RUMBA are trademarks or registered trademarks of Netmanage Software. IBM, Host on Demand, Client Access, Client Access Express, Personal Communications, PCOMM and AIX are trademarks of IBM Corporation. All other trademarks, trade names, or company names referenced herein are used for identification only and are the property of their respective owners.