iSeries Access for Web V5R2 and WebSphere Host Publisher V4.0

Chapter 8. A comparison of Web-to-host integration tools 253

8.2.2 WebSphere Host On-Demand Version 6.0

WebSphere Host On-Demand Version V6.0 gives Web users access to host programs

through a Web browser. Browser access to host systems is provided through the use of Java

applets downloaded into the client Web browsers, although the applets can also be installed

as stand-alone clients.

For 5250, 3270, and VT emulation, an applet running in the Web browser Java runtime

environment establishes a connection with a Telnet server that manages access to host

applications. The user interface is identical to the host terminal, so the traditional “green

screen” is displayed. In addition, icons for PF keys copy/paste, macro recording, file transfer,

and other basic operations are provided.

Through the use of componentization, Host On-Demand could implement

smart caching.

This is the ability to cache and upgrade individual components of the client, even components

that were not included in the initial loading of the client. A side benefit is the ability to create a

smaller client footprint for network distribution. This includes only basic functionality for

downloading to the workstation and incrementally adding only those functions that the user

actually uses rather than all the functions that the user may use.

Database On-Demand is a Java applet that allows users to perform Structured Query

Language (SQL) requests to the iSeries database through a JDBC driver. Database

On-Demand is shipped with a JDBC driver

Administration of a Host On-Demand server is done primarily through the administration

applet,

HODAdmin.html, which is loaded into your browser. The Service Manager

component of Host On-Demand controls the following Host On-Demand functions:

 User/Groups management (Configuration services)

 Services management

 Redirector Service management

 Directory Service management

 OS/400 Proxy Server management

 Licenses management

The Host Access Toolkit contains a set of Java libraries with which developers can create

applets and applications for host access. The set of application programming interfaces

(APIs) is a separate stand-alone product from Host On-Demand. It is bundled with Host

On-Demand and is part in the Host Access Client Package. It is shipped on its own CD and

can be installed and deployed independently of Host On-Demand.

IBM WebSphere Host On-Demand is multilingual and available in 21 languages, including

double-byte character set.

Using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Version 3.0, IBM WebSphere Host On-Demand extends

host data access across intranets, extranets, and the Internet with added security.

The enhancements in Host On-Demand Version 6.0 include:

 More flexibility and control over locally stored user preferences: You can define

centrally stored session-configuration preferences while allowing users to maintain

individual preferences. Users can run sessions using the default configuration you define,

and users can further modify sessions according to personal preference.

 Deployment Wizard enhancements: The Deployment Wizard helps you create HTML

pages more easily to give users better host access. This helps you determine a

deployment strategy for your users. In addition, new configuration models have been

added to specify how Host On-Demand sessions are defined and managed.