Host Access Solutions: Terminal Emulation Software and Host Integration

Mainframe Data Access with PASSPORT

Reliable, Cost-Effective Mainframe Data Access

PASSPORT Mainframe Data Access Trial Download

PASSPORT provides powerful 3270 mainframe data access that is fully compatible with Windows Vista®.

PASSPORT is also extremely cost effective. Zephyr provides a subscription based licensing program that reduces your acquisition cost and maintenance cost significantly. This makes upgrading from older mainframe data access programs a very attractive proposition.

As one of the market's very first IP-based connectivity solutions, the mature, feature-rich package is an ideal replacement for older desktop-based emulators, including Attachmate EXTRA!®, IBM Personal Communications®, NetManage Rumba® and WRQ Reflection®. With its competitive pricing and licensing options, you can save 50% to 75% on the amount of money you would normally spend for a mainframe emulator.

Mainframe Data Access Options

There are actually two versions of PASSPORT for mainframe data access. Each product uses a different method of deployment.

PASSPORT PC TO HOST® is desktop-based mainframe data access. This product is similar to other desktop Windows programs. PASSPORT is installed with a Windows setup program. It can also be deployed using SMS, MSI or deployed from a Citrix terminal server.

PASSPORT WEB TO HOST® is web-based mainframe data access that is deployed from a web server. The 3270 client is installed on a web server and provides an administrator program for centralized configuration and administration. All software and configuration files reside on the web server. When the mainframe emulator is run, an ActiveX applet is downloaded from the web server to the client desktop and run inside of Internet Explorer. The ActiveX component is only downloaded the first time a session is launched, or whenever the server version of the ActiveX component changes to a newer version. The ActiveX 3270 terminal emulator running inside Internet Explorer makes a direct connection to the mainframe.

PASSPORT Major Features

• Provides access to IBM mainframe, AS/400 and UNIX host applications
• TN3270, TN3270E, TN5250, TN5250E, VT420, VT220, VT100, SCO ANSI and Wyse 60 terminal emulation
• Standalone FTP client and integrated FTP file transfer within terminal emulation session
• PASSPORT PC TO HOST® is certified for Windows Vista®
• Supports Windows XP and 2000
• Advanced SSL security available for each host session
• Advanced SSH security available for each UNIX host session
• Secure FTP file transfer using SSL and SSH security
• IND$FILE file transfer to IBM mainframe
• Supports Citrix Password Manager
• HLLAPI available to reuse existing screen scraping applications
• Attachmate-compatible EXTRA! Objects API to reuse existing EXTRA! screen scraping applications
• VBScript to record, edit and run productivity enhancing macros
• Host printing supported through the TN3270E or TN5250E client
• Pass-through printing available for VT or SCO ANSI client
• Ability to open multiple host sessions, uniquely configure each session
• Customizable keyboard layout, mouse buttons, keypads, toolbars, hotspots, colors, fonts, cursor and more

TN3270 Host Connection Support

PASSPORT supports all telnet features defined in the IETF 1576 (TN3270 Current Practices) and IETF 2355 (TN3270 Enhancements) specifications. Telnet is basically terminal emulation that uses the TCP/IP Internet protocol for communication between a telnet client and server. PASSPORT is compatible with all TN3270 and TN3270E servers that support these IETF specifications.

These TN3270 telnet servers include the IBM Communication Server that is provided with IBM zOS, OS/390, MVS TCP/IP and VM TCP/IP. For IBM VSE, the Telnet TN3270 servers from Connectivity Systems and Barnard Systems are supported. The Cisco CIP and CPA TN3270 servers, Microsoft SNA server and Microsoft Host Integration Server are also supported.

PASSPORT provides connection to generic, dedicated and specific LU pools. Full support for NVT, SSCP-LU and LU-LU sessions is provided. Auto-reconnect is configured to automatically re-establish the session after a logoff is performed. Hot back up for connection to alternate IP host names is also provided.

FTP File Transfer for Mainframe Data

In addition to the standard IND$FILE (Send and Receive) file transfer, FTP (File Transfer Protocol) can also be used to transfer files between a PC and a mainframe. This protocol does not use the terminal emulation session. An FTP server must be present on the host system. The FTP file transfer is actually a separate PC program and can be launched from the terminal emulator menu command or from the Windows Start->Programs menu. Transferring of files can be initiated in multiple ways, including drag and drop and cut/copy/paste. The FTP file transfer client has the look and feel of Windows Explorer with a menu bar, toolbar, status bar, three window panes (PC directory structure and file list, host directory structure and file list, connection log and error messages) that can be interactively resized and displayed as icons, details or list. The PASSPORT FTP client program adheres to full compliance with the IETF RFC 959 (File Transfer Protocol) specifications. FTP is a standard Internet protocol, just like the telnet protocol is.

Quicktrial or Download Options

There are two ways to evaluate PASSPORT for mainframe data access: either download a copy of the software or do a QuickTrial of the PASSPORT WEB TO HOST® application. With QuickTrial, there is no server installation, you simply download the client from our web server. This is a fast and easy way to look at the PASSPORT WEB TO HOST® software. For those that want to install the PASSPORT WEB TO HOST® software on their own web server, you can download the full working copy of the software and complete a full evaluation.

Zephyr has a long history of developing its mainframe data access solutions. Founded in 1985, Zephyr is a Microsoft Certified Solution Partner, Citrix Premier Alliance Partner, a member of IBM PartnerWorld for Developers, Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN), Cisco Enterprise Associates Program (EAP), and the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) TN3270E/TN5250E Working Group.