Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

AS400 Client Access Clone for Linux?

Posted by Cliff on from the searching-for-that-last-piece dept.

KingM asks: "I have for the past few months searched the web for a "Client Access" (terminal type interface to AS400) type application which was either natively created or ported in Linux. I work for an insurance company and we are willing to move a total of 16 workstations to a Linux based solution to lower costs and enhance stability and security. However, thusfar the only thing keeping us from doing this is the Client Access application which interfaces with an AS400 server at a remote location. Does anybody know how I could switch this system over to Linux?"

6 of 24 comments (clear)

  1. HOB by ka9dgx · · Score: 2
    I don't know anything about AS/400, but I assume that you need something like a 3270 emulator or the like... HOB in Germany has software emulators for a lot of that type of thing (as well as WinFrame and Terminal Server clients) that are built on Java. It's not open source freeware, but it will get you over the hump.

    Their agent in the US is Hobsoft, and should be able to help get you set up.

    We've been using their JWT program to do Citrix Winframe on web browsers.

    --Mike--

    1. Re:HOB by Mr.Phil · · Score: 2

      AS/400 uses 5250 emulation, and there is a package called tn5250 that works for me on the AS/400 at work. I've not seen any type of GUI interface for the 400 on linux, and I've not heard a peep from IBM on anything on that front.

  2. Depends... by Usquebaugh · · Score: 2, Informative

    You can use a standard telnet to connect, although it loses a lot of the 5250 functionality.

    There is an open source 5250 telnet client

    X3270 is a telnet client for mainframes but some people use it for AS/400

    Try some of the java telnet packages. Search on www.google.com for +java +telnet +5250.

    As a last resort Wine might be able to run your current software, but I doubt it.

    Of course, it would be cool to port the AS/400 apps to Linux :-)

  3. 5250-HTML WorkStation Gateway by beavis_kc · · Score: 2, Informative
    OS/400 provides an integrated 5250 to HTML converter. There is some information provided at: Redbooks. This utility has some security issues for internet usage, but works well on an internal network. Once enabled, it converts any 5250 program to HTML on the fly, complete with a row of Function key buttons.

    Other than that, the AS/400 functions as an FTP server, and uses 5250 terminal emulation. The previous links to the tn5250 application should work fine.

    --
    Liberty is an inherently offensive lifestyle. Living in a free society guarantees that each one of us will see our most
  4. tn5250 is what you need. by ScottG · · Score: 2

    tn5250 is what you need. It's been a couple years since I've used it, and back then it was functional, but a little quirky. I assume it is no worse now, and probably much better. At that time, at least, there were a several developers who were very active on the mailing list, often providing bug fixes the same day.

    It provides only 5250 terminal emulation, but not all the other stuff (file xfer, etc) that Client Access does.

    They have a mailing list archive here. I suggest you browse through it to get an idea of how suitable it is for your needs. Of course, since its open source, you can always just download it and try it out. :)

    (I've seen some suggestions to use 3270 emulators. While an AS/400 will grudgingly talk to a 3270, you loose a lot of the functionality that you are accustomed to from a 5250. Not a solution I reccommend)

    --
    Hey, who else could go for some flapjacks right now?
  5. Some possible problems by jmaslak · · Score: 2

    Lots of people have mentioned terminal emulators, which is definately a start.

    However, there are several problems:

    1) The AS/400 might not have TCP. Thus, you might not be able to telnet to it *EVEN WITH THE PROPER TERMINAL EMULATOR*! Talk to your AS/400 administrator about this and see if you can get TCP set up on the AS/400. Of course, make sure you have a good firewall before you do that.

    2) PRINTING. Many shops use Client Access to allow a local workstation printer to be attached to the AS/400. There is no solution for this problem that I know of, although maybe an AS/400 can print to an LPD server (once again, use a firewall!). Talk to your AS/400 admin and ask if people use this feature right now. People will be rightfully pissed if they can't print.

    3) No IBM support. I don't know if this will be a problem or not for your environment.