[ Previous | Next | Contents | Search ]
3270 Host Connection Program 2.1 and 1.3.3 for AIX: Guide and Reference

Chapter 1. Host Connection Program Overview

The Host Connection Program is a 3270 connectivity application for the AIX environment. The Host Connection Program (HCON) emulates a subset of 327X functions and features, and it allows end users at AIX terminals to connect to an IBM System/370 host and appear to the host as an attached IBM 3270 Display Terminal or printer. HCON facilitates file transfers between the workstation and the IBM System/370 host, allows printer emulation, and provides High-Level Language Application Programming Interface (HLLAPI) support for user-provided workstation applications to communicate with 3270 sessions.

HCON connectivity can be:

The SNA Node T2.1 and TCP/IP capability can operate over a wide area network (WAN), allowing users at a remote work group location access to the services and facilities of an IBM System/370 or System/390 Host. This protocol also supports the IBM Token-Ring or Ethernet network, which allows users to access these same services and facilities over a local area network (LAN). The coax DFT attachment uses the 3274/3174 in both SNA and non-SNA mode and supports up to five sessions per IBM 3270 Connection Adapter.

The HCON Connectivity figure illustrates the connectivity capability of HCON.

HCON Capabilities

The HCON 3270 emulation program:

HCON's features and connectivity capabilities are detailed in Chapter 2 "Using Host Connection Program".

National Language Support

This program includes National Language Support (NLS) for both single-byte character set (SBCS) and double-byte character set (DBCS). Actual SBCS character presentation on ASCII display terminals may be limited by a particular display terminal's capability, and the use of international names can be restricted in the customization of color and keyboard mapping.

NLS overall characteristics include:

The Japanese Language Support program characteristics includes support for the:

The High-Level Language Application Program Interface (HLLAPI) does have DBCS language support.

Machine Requirements

The following are fixed-disk storage requirements for the AIX 3270 Host Connection Program licensed program:

3270 Host Connection Program 4.10 MB
Messages/Help Text 0.30 MB (per language)

Memory and fixed-disk requirements for other licensed programs, user applications, and data are not included in the above. Carefully review all system, memory, and fixed-disk requirements with your marketing representative.

HCON also runs on the following ASCII terminals using 3278/79 Model 2 emulation or Model 5 on IBM 3151 using the expansion cartridge (these terminals cannot be used for DBCS language support):

HCON provides National Language Support for 3151 and 3164 terminals using ISO8859-1.2 code set. The support can be provided using the appropriate NLS cartridge.

HCON supports IBM 3286/87 printer emulation with printers that use PC-ASCII data stream. HCON also supports IBM 3270 DBCS printer emulation for the following printers with the capability to handle DBCS character and field outlining:

Connection Requirements

Interfaces for connection to a System/390 can be one or more of the following network communication adapters:

Both SNA and non-SNA are supported.

Users at a remote location may access the services and facilities of a System/390 host. Depending on the network topology and controller requirements, the connection to the System/390 host may be as follows:

Programming Requirements

HCON requires AIX (5756-030) and runs on the POWERstations. HCON requires one of the following System/390 operating system environments:

For SNA T2.1 connection to the host, VTAM Version 3.2 or above is recommended.

HCON requires one of the following programs be installed on the System/370 or System/390 host to support file transfer:

At least one of the following programs must be installed on the System/370 or System/390 host to support file transfer for files that consist of SBCS or DBCS text:

Limitations

HCON does not support the following 3270 functions:


[ Previous | Next | Contents | Search ]