04
Mon, Nov
1 New Articles

Microsoft Releases Host Integration Server 2004

Commentary
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

Microsoft has just begun shipping its Host Integration Server (HIS) 2004 product. Companies that have Windows applications have reason to be excited. HIS 2004 provides a Microsoft-supported means of integrating IBM host applications, data, messaging, and security with the new solutions being developed on the Microsoft Windows Server platform. This includes support for XML Web services, the Visual Studio .NET 2003 integrated development environment (IDE), and the Microsoft .NET Framework. The cost of the Standard Edition is just under $2,500 per server processor, while the Enterprise Edition is just under $10,000 per processor.

Microsoft offers several good reasons to upgrade your Windows Servers platform to include HIS 2004. Here are the highlights:

Application Integration

Microsoft has re-engineered its COM Transaction Integrator for CICS and IMS and renamed it Transaction Integrator (TI). TI has been extended to offer support for the .NET Framework and Visual Studio .NET 2003. TI allows Windows developers to use the Windows-Initiated Processing (WIP) technology to transform existing line-of-business processes into XML Web Services or .NET server components.

The TI project type includes multiple views (host, COM, .NET) as well as import/export wizards for COBOL and RPG host source code. In addition to WIP, TI offers a new approach to integrating Windows applications across the network. Called Host-Initiated Processing (HIP), it enables developers to produce bi-directional and asynchronous enterprise integration solutions without using IBM MQSeries.

Network Consolidation

HIS 2004's core network integration software has also been extended. Its IP-DLC Link Service enables HIS to participate in IBM's Enterprise Extender environment. As a result, IT can deploy HIS 2004 in a branch office, in a central location, or even within the data center, directly connected to the mainframe across efficient Gigabyte Ethernet infrastructures.

Microsoft says that this IP-DLC Link Service will let organizations with SNA-enabled WANs reap significant cost savings. Organizations can retire expensive channel-attached 374x terminals, move toward a single physical media (Gigabyte Ethernet) within the mainframe data center, and replace expensive and complex Data-Link Switching (DLSw) routers, while simplifying their overall network infrastructure. While IP-DLC Link Service may not impact i5/iSeries customers directly, this can be a big benefit in larger organizations.

Host Data Access

HIS 2004 also provides an industry-standard ODBC Driver for DB2, Component Object Model (COM) OLE DB Providers for DB2 and host file systems (mainframe and AS/400), and a .NET Framework-enabled Managed Provider for DB2.

Microsoft says that it has also improved the DB2 network protocol client (DRDA AR) over which the ODBC, OLE DB, and Managed Provider communicate with remote DB2 database servers. It says this will enable these data providers to offer expanded functionality, including two-phase commit for DB2 Distributed Transactions over TCP/IP and connection pooling when using Enterprise SSO.

TN3270 Host Access

Microsoft has also enhanced the TN3270 Service, providing a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport-Level Services (TLS) support. IT administrators should be able to increase the overall security of their IP corporate networks when accessing mainframe terminal and printer resources, including authentication of access to mainframe sessions and encryption of host data between TN3270 clients and the TN3270 server.

Security Integration

Microsoft has also included Enterprise Single Sign-On (SSO) for efficiently mapping accounts across the Windows Active Directory service and IBM systems or applications. This included 1:1 and Group: 1 associations.

Also, using a secure ticketing mechanism, HIS 2004 technologies such as the application and data integration features will call into Enterprise SSO to obtain foreign credentials. Microsoft says, "The Enterprise SSO infrastructure completely replaces the previously available Host Security Integration feature set, allowing for more efficient and secure management of foreign credentials, SSO, and Password Synchronization."

Secure Product Configuration and Deployment

The server also provides new administration and runtime components that are "secure by default" when installed. The new Configuration Wizard and Secure Deployment Guide assist administrators in exposing and unlocking the portions of the product appropriate for their domains.

Asynchronous Messaging

Microsoft is also providing MSMQ-to-MQSeries Bridge so that administrators can rapidly link applications that use inter-platform message queuing. It says that MSMQ-to-MQSeries Bridge provides improvements of up to 20% in message transport and delivery times for multi-computer scenarios, integrated setup, encryption, and support for MSMQ 2.0 and MQSeries 5.1.

Network Administration

Microsoft says that it has also improved the centralized SNA diagnostics tool, allowing administrators to test and troubleshoot network connections and resources. The re-engineered management console "snap-in" for administering HIS computers offers better usability through refined wizards and dialogs.

Long Beta Cycle Delivers Long-Awaited Services

HIS 2004 marks the first new release of the server in four years, and a lot of technology has gone under the bridge since its last release. In the previous version, Visual Studio development tools and support for .NET were lacking from the HIS, which, with the 2004 release, is finally on the same ground as other members of the Microsoft server family. Part of the delay was Microsoft's long beta cycle, which put the HIS through some rigorous real-world testing. The added features are welcomed, and Host Integration Server 2004 refreshes a product that will get solid use from the i5 and mainframe communities.

Thomas M. Stockwell is Editor in Chief of MC Press Online, LP.

Thomas Stockwell

Thomas M. Stockwell is an independent IT analyst and writer. He is the former Editor in Chief of MC Press Online and Midrange Computing magazine and has over 20 years of experience as a programmer, systems engineer, IT director, industry analyst, author, speaker, consultant, and editor.  

 

Tom works from his home in the Napa Valley in California. He can be reached at ITincendiary.com.

 

 

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: