04
Mon, Nov
5 New Articles

A Sneak Preview of the Next iSeries Access Release

Analysis of News Events
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

If you've been wondering when IBM is going to enhance its iSeries Client Access Family, here's the good news. When IBM ships OS/400 V5R2 this August, it will also issue a new release of the iSeries Client Access Family that will bear a different name and contain additional products. What's more, the computer giant plans to post a second beta version of selected V5R2 components on the iSeries Access Web site in several weeks.

With the upcoming release, IBM is dropping the word "client" from all product names and creating a new brand--the iSeries Access Family. This reflects the fact that many products in the suite don't reside on clients, as they are server-based tools that let an increasingly wider variety of thin clients connect to the iSeries. This includes wireless devices, which gain their own access product in this release. Let's walk through the enhancements that IBM is delivering with each product in the iSeries Access Family V5R2.

iSeries Access for Windows

Formerly known as iSeries Client Access Express for Windows, the V5R2 release of this product will contain significant enhancements. Among them is Kerberos authentication, a feature that will allow Windows 2000 servers to pass Kerberos tickets to an iSeries server for authentication. From an ease-of-use perspective, this means that users won't have to log in to the iSeries if a Windows server has already authenticated them. Note, however, that this feature will require OS/400 V5R2 and that IBM has only tested it on Windows 2000 servers. Earlier Windows releases may not support Kerberos ticket passing.

If you have power users that need more data transfer functionality, you can let them know that the new release will let them upload more than the current limit of 128 columns to spreadsheets and databases. While I'm still working to get details, it appears likely that V5R2 will allow database uploads of up to 8,000 columns. In addition, both the ODBC and OLE DB drivers will support ROWID, a function that lets users work with tables on a row basis. By the way, both drivers will run on Intel's 64-bit (IA-64) platform, allowing users of IA-64 clients to query iSeries databases. Moreover, both the data transfer and OLE DB facilities will let users access multiple databases in the independent ASPs that OS/400 V5R2 supports.

For added usability, iSeries Access for Windows will include the PC5250 5.5 emulator, a new release that provides further options for working with green screens. For instance, when you're cutting and pasting data between 5250 and Windows screens, you'll be able to choose whether to place plus and minus signs before or after numbers, a feature that could make many screens more readable.

The new release also contains features that could make the lives of PC administrators a little easier. Among them is an indicator that lets users know when an installation is taking place on their desktop system. This reminds users not to shut down their system during the installation. In addition, administrators will be able to create their own custom installation CDs that include software that users currently have to download from the server, such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). This should simplify the install process at many sites.

While IBM is adding many features to iSeries Access for Windows V5R2, there is one feature it is taking away: support for Windows 95 clients. Fortunately, the computer giant will continue to support Windows 95 via previous releases of iSeries Client Access Express for Windows. Customers can get IBM support for two of these releases--V4R5 and V5R1--through December 31, 2002, and May 31, 2003, respectively. Beyond that point, customers with Windows 95 clients will be on their own.

iSeries Access for Web

As those of you who read my previous article about iSeries Access for Web know, IBM has already posted a beta release of the V5R2 product on its Web site. In late June or early July, however, IBM intends to post a second beta of this product at the same location. This beta will include many new features, including a 5250 interface for browsers that will run on both the WebSphere Application Server 4.0 (WAS 4.0) and the Tomcat server. The 5250 browser interface will offer many enhancements, including screens that support 132 columns instead of the restrictive 80 columns of the V5R1 release. Internet Explorer users will gain the ability to use their keyboard's function keys just as they would in a PC5250 session, and all users will be able to record keystrokes and assign them to keys. In addition, the new beta will let users assign workstation IDs to browser clients.

WebSphere Host Publisher 4.0

Both the upcoming beta release and iSeries Access Family V5R2 will include WebSphere Host Publisher 4.0, the new version of the Web enablement tool that IBM announced a little over a month ago. As anticipated, WebSphere Host Publisher 4.0 supports WAS 4.0 but not the Tomcat server. However, it does support Enterprise JavaBeans (EJBs) and XML, features that allow developers to integrate 5250 applications with Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) applications and Web services. This significantly broadens the capabilities of the iSeries Access Family as an e-business development tool.

While we're on the subject of WAS support, remember that IBM intends to ship WAS 5.0 later this summer and intends to provide an iSeries version that costs less on a per-CPU basis than WAS 4.0. Sources within IBM tell me they should be able to release PTFs that will enable iSeries Access for Web V5R2 to support WAS 5.0 within 90 days after the new application server ships. Corrective service diskettes that add WAS 5.0 support to WebSphere Host Publisher 4.0 will likely appear in the same time frame.

iSeries Access for Wireless

Though this product is new to the iSeries Access Family, its capabilities are already part of other products. Essentially, iSeries Access for Wireless takes the existing Management Central - Pervasive product and packages it with two new products--the IBM Toolbox for Java Micro Edition (for developing programs that access the iSeries from wireless and remote devices) and a driver for wireless JDBC data access. By packaging all three products into the iSeries Access Family, IBM is making it easier for developers to start working with wireless technologies.

As you can see from the list of enhancements I've reeled off, the next release of iSeries Access Family offers something for everyone, from users to administrators and developers. It also signals IBM's intent to open the iSeries to access from a new generation of clients and, just as importantly, from applications that want to access the iSeries across the Internet. In a world where the entities that need such access will increasingly be applications rather than people, offering such capabilities will be critical for the iSeries and its customers.

Lee Kroon is a Senior Industry Analyst for Andrews Consulting Group, a firm that helps mid-sized companies manage business transformation through technology. You can reach him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

LEE KROON
Lee Kroon is a Senior Industry Analyst for Andrews Consulting Group, a firm that helps mid-sized companies manage business transformation through technology.
BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: