Host Integration for IBM Mainframe and AS400

PASSPORT Host Integration Objects

Legacy Integration for 3270 and 5250 Application Integration

PASSPORT Host Integration Objects (HIO) is a Microsoft-based legacy application integration solution that offers a programmatic method of integrating IBM host based applications that use 3270 or 5250 protocols with other ActiveX or .NET applications using standard 3270 and 5250 screen information.

PASSPORT HIO is a non-intrusive host integration solution that offers a fast and low-risk approach by reusing valuable business processes that have been adapted and perfected over many years. Unlike other screen-scraping solutions, PASSPORT HIO eliminates the need for terminal emulation to be running on an end-user's PC.

Developers can communicate with the IBM 3270/5250 application via a well-defined, object-oriented API. You can download PASSPORT Host Integration Objects which includes sample programming source code and projects to get you started. Prior to downloading, you can view the Programming Documentation.

PASSPORT HIO can be deployed on a server or client basis. With either method, you can use a Windows desktop as the development platform. Once ready, the developed application can be published to a Microsoft Windows 200X Server, or to Windows Vista, XP or 2000 desktops.

PASSPORT Host Integration Objects (Server Based)

PASSPORT HIO offers a path to host information at the screen buffer level, allowing you to read and write data to the host presentation space and input fields, open and close sessions, get specific text strings from the screen, create string values, send function keys to the host, switch to other tasks and much more. In doing so, customers can reuse critical legacy applications and proven business logic without making any changes to host code.

PASSPORT HIO and your developed application can reside on a server minimizing the host connections required, easing deployment of the application and increasing flexibility for program output and display.

PASSPORT Host Integration Objects (Client Based)

PASSPORT HIO also includes a Terminal Control Object, which lets developers embed a fully functioning PASSPORT TN3270 or TN5250 client emulator inside another client based application. Through use of the PASSPORT HIO Terminal Control, 3270 or 5250 host "green" screens can be exposed to the end user, similar to an IBM terminal, and full use of the PC keyboard is available to interact with the 3270 or 5250 host application. PASSPORT HIO Terminal Control is ideal for advanced Windows client-based host integration projects.

How PASSPORT HIO Works

Using Microsoft's Visual Studio (VB, VC++, C# .NET, ASP .NET, etc.), you can create composite integration applications that require fast, reliable access to existing IBM 3270 or 5250 applications.

PASSPORT Host Integration Objects, based on the Internet Engineering Task Force OHIO draft, includes direct TN3270 and TN5250 connectivity to critical legacy applications using IP. Separate terminal emulation is not required for host access. Sample programs, documentation and a test program that demonstrates the use of each object Method, Property and Event are included in the Zephyr development solution.

How PASSPORT HIO is Licensed

Available via an annual subscription-based license that includes the cost of the software, access to technical support and all product upgrades, PASSPORT Host Integration Objects offers one of the most inexpensive approaches to dependable host integration.

PASSPORT HIO is licensed either via server volume and numbers of concurrent sessions or for the terminal control deployment on the number of client machines.

The Server version has a minimum of 1 Server with 10 Concurrent Sessions, while a minimum of 500 Client licenses is required for the PASSPORT HIO Terminal Control.

More Information

Primary Features of PASSPORT HIO

• Non-intrusive host integration with existing 3270 and 5250 applications
• Direct access to host screen buffers (screen scraping)
• Object-oriented API based on Internet Engineering Task Force OHIO draft
• Does not require terminal emulation software
• Proven TN3270 and TN5250 communications module
• SSL Security
• Designed for a Microsoft Windows environment
• Offset addressing for host screen presentation space
• Simplified model for presentation space
• Automatic generation of presentation space field list and attributes
• Keyword-based function text strings
• Event notification for host communication status and screen updates
• International Support
• Diagnostic tracing capabilities

Performs the Following Host Functions

• Open a host session
• Hide host screens from the user
• Read and write information to the host presentation space
• Retrieve text strings from host input fields
• Retrieve text strings from screen
• Determine new string values
• Get associated attributes of text strings and fields
• Copy information into host input fields
• Simulate use of function keys with host application
• Read the operator information area (OIA) for status updates
• Receive notification of events (receipt of new screen, etc.)
• Close the host session

Download PASSPORT Host Integration Objects for Legacy Integration