Host Access Solutions: Terminal Emulation Software and Host Integration

Replace RUMBA® Software with Zephyr's PASSPORT

With Extensive Visual Basic API and Macro Support, PASSPORT is an Ideal Replacement for RUMBA

Replace RUMBA Software: Free Trial Download

Wall Data® (acquired by NetManage®) was a visionary in creating RUMBA®, an early Windows-based SNA host access solution. Many organizations, particularly those with AS/400s, set the product as a corporate-wide standard for 5250 and 3270 emulation.

However, with increased competition from IBM® in the AS/400 connectivity market, and a massive shift in the industry from SNA to IP, the organization opted for an exit strategy that included a sale to NetManage. In recent years, Zephyr is frequently sought out to replace RUMBA with PASSPORT. Why?

In addition to offering rich APIs, macros and terminal emulation, PASSPORT is extremely cost effective. Zephyr provides a subscription based licensing program that reduces your acquisition cost and maintenance cost significantly. This makes upgrading from older terminal emulation software a very attractive proposition.

Two Terminal Emulation Options for RUMBA Users

There are actually two versions of the PASSPORT terminal emulation software. Each product uses a different method of deployment.

PASSPORT PC TO HOST® is desktop based terminal emulation software. 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, Citrix or Microsoft Terminal Server.

PASSPORT WEB TO HOST® is web based terminal emulation software that is deployed from a web server. The terminal emulation software 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 terminal emulation software is run, an ActiveX applet is downloaded from the web server to the client desktop and run inside Internet Explorer. The ActiveX 3270 terminal emulator running inside Internet Explorer makes a direct VT/100, TN3270, 5250, SCO ANSI or FTP connection to the host system.

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

To seamlessly switch from RUMBA to PASSPORT for TN3270, TN5250, VT100/VT220/VT420, SCO ANSI and Wyse 60 host access, focus must be placed on the following areas:

RUMBA Software User Preferences

PASSPORT offers flexible customization options, including a RUMBA keyboard layout, that can be configured and saved as part of a standard PASSPORT TN3270, TN5250, VT100/VT220/VT420 or SCO ANSI session profile for users. It’s very important to duplicate these user interfaces for a successful transition.

Visual Basic and C HLLAPI Applications

Many NetManage RUMBA clients have custom or third party applications that use the industry standard HLLAPI (High Level Language Application Programming Interface) to extract and pass data to and from the host session. Like RUMBA, PASSPORT offers extensive support for Visual Basic and C applications that interface with the TN3270, TN5250, VT100, VT220, VT420, SCO ANSI and Wyse 60 emulation session. If you’ve developed 32-bit HLLAPI code for RUMBA using Visual C or Visual Basic, it will likely work with PASSPORT without any modification.

Scripting and Macros

Many RUMBA users also have developed scripts to automate routine TN3270, TN5250 and VT emulation functions. Network administrators have recorded log-on macros to help users launch their terminal emulation session(s). Like RUMBA, PASSPORT also supports the use of VBScript to create productivity-enhancing macros.

Host Printing

For those users who use Netmanage RUMBA for TN3270E or TN5250E host printing, PASSPORT excels in this area. By simply configuring an LU as a 3287 LU 1 or 3 session, you can route host print data through PASSPORT.

Software for Windows XP and 2000

As a rich TN3270, TN5250, VT100/VT220/VT420, SCO ANSI and Wyse 60 terminal emulation suite, PASSPORT was designed for Microsoft Windows. As a result, the IP-based host connectivity package is ideal for Windows Vista®. If your organization requires an emulation upgrade to support the newest version of Windows, consider PASSPORT WEB TO HOST® or PASSPORT PC TO HOST® as a replacement for RUMBA.

Zephyr has a long history of developing terminal emulation software and innovative host 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.

Quicktrial or Download Options

There are two ways to evaluate the PASSPORT software: 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.

Replace your NetManage RUMBA Software

Trademarks

RUMBA® is a registered trademark of Netmanage. Zephyr is in no way affiliated with Netmange®. Zephyr, PASSPORT PC TO HOST, PASSPORT WEB TO HOST and PASSPORT Host Integration Objects are trademarks of Zephyr. PASSPORT PC TO HOST® and PASSPORT WEB TO HOST® are registered trademarks of Zephyr. All other trademarks, trade names, or company names referenced herein are used for identification only and are the property of their respective owners.