Connecting to the Host System - iSeries

TN5250E Configuration

The RTN5250E.DLL file provides complete TN5250E connectivity for BlueZone allowing connection to hosts, servers, and gateways that are TN5250E compliant.  TN5250E is the enhanced version of TN5250, providing more SNA information to the client for improved operation.  Optionally, Secure Sockets Layer security is available to insure privacy, message integrity and provide authentication.

TN5250E configuration consists of: Connections, Display, (Printer), Security, Keep Alive, Trace and Firewall setup.  To quickly "jump" to anyone of these subjects, click the desired link.

NOTE  The TN5250E settings for the BlueZone Display emulator are identical to the BlueZone Printer emulator with the exception that the BlueZone Display has a Display Tab, and the BlueZone Printer emulator has a Printer Tab.

Connections Tab

This dialog displays your Host Connection list and contains buttons for creating new connections as well as editing, removing and sorting them.

TN5250/TN5250E Connections ----

• Connection List: This is a list of your configured hosts (if any).  A total of 32 connections may be specified.

• New: Used to create new host sessions.  When clicked, the Define New Connection dialog box will appear.

• Connection Name: A unique name used to identify the collection of Connection settings.

• Host Address: Specifies the computer name (in Internet format, known as DNS Name) or the IP address (in dotted decimal format) of the TN5250E server.  An IP address is the preferred format, eliminating the requirement for domain name resolution, resulting in a faster connection time and recovery if the name cannot be resolved.

• Device Name: Specifies the name of the device to which to connect.

SEE  Automatically Generating Device Names

• TCP Port: Specifies the TCP port number to which to connect. The default is 23.

• Backup Host: Specifies a second host connection if the first connection attempt fails.

• Enable TN5250E: Enables the TN5250E extensions. The default is enabled. This option should not be changed due to the fact that all iSeries printing must be TN5250E.

• Connection Timer: Specifies the maximum amount of time (in seconds) to wait for the TN connection to complete.

• Edit: Used to edit existing host connections.

• Remove: Used to remove existing host connections.

• Sort: Used to sort existing host connections.

• Use Connection Name as Session Description: Check or un-check accordingly.

Display Tab - Display Emulator Only

TN5250E Display Properties ----

This feature allows you to override the following host properties in effect making a custom terminal definition from the client side of the connection:

• Keyboard Type: Enter the desired Keyboard Type.

• Code Page: Enter the desired Code Page.

• Character Set: Enter the desired Character Set.

TN5250E Signon Information ----

This feature is called Encrypted Substitute Password.  This feature is enabled on the iSeries (by the iSeries Administrator) by setting QRMTSGN to *Verify.  It is used when you want to make the sign on process easier or to provide public access to an iSeries host where it is not desirable or necessary to have end users enter a User Name and Password to gain access.  Also, you can call a specific Program, Menu and Library if desired.  This is optional.

• Force Encrypted Signon: As an option, you can "force" an encrypted sign on by presenting end users with a User Name and Password Dialog Box.

CAUTION!  If the sign on bypass fails or the end user signs off, the main iSeries log on screen will be presented.  This will defeat the purpose of Encrypted Substitute Password because the end user will be able to sign on and send their password in the clear.  To prevent this, an "exit" program should be used so that if an end user signs off, the iSeries will automatically force BlueZone to disconnect from the host.

• User Name: Enter the desired User Name.

• Password: Enter the desired Password.

• Program to Call: Enter the desired program to call. (Optional)

• Initial Menu: Enter the desired Initial Menu to display. (Optional)

• Current Library: Enter the desired Library to use. (Optional)

Printer Tab - Printer Emulator Only

TN5250E Printer Properties ----

These fields are used when Auto-Creating printer devices on the iSeries.  The required fields to Auto-Create a device will be noted in the following text:

• *MSGQ Name: Used to specify the host *MSGQ name. (QSYSOPR is the default)

• *MSGQ Library: Used to specify the host *MSGQ library. (*LIBL is the default)

• Font: Used to specify the host font value. (011 is the default)

• Host Print Transform: If checked Host Print Transform will be enabled.

CAUTION!  This field may override the setting on the host system.

NOTE  The following options are only active when the Host Print Transform box is checked.

• Mfg. Type & Model: Used to specify the printer manufacturer, type and model for host print transform.

• Custom Name: Used to specify the Custom Name.  (QWPDEFAULT is the default)

• Custom Library: Used to specify the Custom Library. (*LIBL is the default)

Formfeed ----

Choose the desired formfeed setting, Default, Continuous, Cut or Autocut.

• Default: If selected, specifies the default formfeed setting should be used

• Continuous: If selected, specifies the continuous forms setting should be used

• Cut: If selected, specifies the cut forms setting should be used

• Autocut: If selected, specifies the autocut forms setting should be used

NOTE  The Formfeed field is not a required value for Auto-Creation. It is used to specify the host formfeed value.

Paper ----

Choose the desired Paper Sources from the three drop down lists.

• Source 1: Choose the desired paper tray from the "drop down" box.

• Source 2: Choose the desired paper tray from the "drop down" box.

• Source 3: Choose the desired paper tray from the "drop down" box.

Security Tab

All BlueZone emulator clients support the SSL protocol through the SEAGULL Security Server or any SSL enabled telnet connection including IBM Communications Server for NT (SSL v3 only), OS/390, and the iSeries V4R4. BlueZone clients may be pre-configured for distribution with SSL enabled eliminating the need for any end-user intervention in the installation or configuration process.

Security Options ----

• Enable Secure Sockets Layer: Specifies whether the TCP connection to the host should be encrypted using SSL.

• Preferred Cipher Suite: If you have a preference, choose a Cipher Suite from the "drop down" box.  Otherwise leave it set to none.

Invalid Certificates ----

Specifies how to handle an invalid server certificate. Options include:

• Always Reject: Specifies that an invalid server certificate should always be rejected.

• Ask Before Accepting: Specifies that the user should be asked whether to accept an invalid server certificate.

• Always Accept: Specifies that an invalid server certificate should always be accepted.

SSL Version ----

Specifies which version of the SSL protocol should be used. Options include:

• SSL v3: (Default)- Specifies that SSL version 3 should be used.

• TLS v1: Specifies that TLS version 1 should be used.

NOTE  SSL v3 and TLS v1 are nearly identical.  TLS v1 is preferred.

Client Certificates ----

Specifies how to handle a client certificate.

• Use Client Certificate: Specifies whether a client certificate should be presented.

• Certificate File: Specifies the file containing the Client Certificate.

• View: Allows you to view the Client Certificate.

• Browse: Brings up the Common File dialog to browse for the certificate file.

• Private Key File: Specifies the file containing the client certificate's private key.

• Browse: Brings up the Common File dialog to browse for the key file.

Keep Alive Tab

These parameters specify whether the client should send keep-alive messages to the server to keep the TN3270E session active.

Timer Options ----

• Disabled: Disables keep-alive messages. (Default)

• Use TCP: Uses built-in TCP keep-alive mechanisms.

• Use NOP: Uses the Telnet NOP for keep-alive messages.

• Use Timing Mark: Uses the Telnet Timing Mark (TM) for keep-alive messages.

• Timer Value (Minutes): Specifies the time interval (in minutes) for sending keep-alive messages.

Trace Tab

These parameters specify the interfaces to be traced and the file name to which the trace file will be written. The trace files are in ASCII text format and may be viewed with Note Pad or Word Pad.

STEP-BY-STEP  How to Run a BlueZone Trace

Trace Options ----

• Trace Sockets Interface: Traces the data as it passes through the Winsock interface from the network connection.

• Trace RUI Interface: Traces the data as it passes between the TN3270E driver and the BlueZone terminal session.

• Trace SSL Connection: Traces the data as it passes through the Secure Sockets Layer component of the TN3270E driver.

• Trace File: Specifies the file name to which the trace file will be written.

• Browse: Displays a dialog used to select the directory and file name.  BlueZone provides a Traces directory in the BlueZone installation directory.

CAUTION!  This must be a valid path or the trace feature will not work.

• Trace Viewer: Specifies the program that will be used to read the trace file after it has been captured and written.

• Browse: Displays a dialog used to select the directory and file name.

• Start Trace: Used to manually start the trace.

• Stop Trace: Used to stop the trace.

• View Trace: Used to view the trace.  BlueZone will automatically use the Trace Viewer program specified above.

Firewall Tab

The Firewall tab allows the configuration of Firewall and Proxy Server sign on systems.

Firewall Options ----

• Connect Through Firewall or Proxy Server: Check to enable this feature.

• Firewall Type: Choose the Firewall Type from the "drop down" list.
  SOCKS4 Proxy
  SOCKS4A Proxy
  SOCKS5 Proxy
  NVT Proxy or Firewall

• Firewall Address: Enter the IP address of the Firewall.

• Port: Enter the Port number used by the Firewall.

• Timeout: Enter the appropriate Time out value.

• User Name: Enter the appropriate User Name.

• Password: Enter the appropriate Password.

NOTE  If you have chosen NVT Proxy or Firewall, then you will need to provide the following additional information:

• Host Name Prompt: Enter Firewall of network prompts BlueZone should look for.

• User Name Prompt: Enter the User Name that the Firewall is expecting.

• Password Prompt: Enter the Password that the Firewall is expecting.

• Connected Prompt: Enter the appropriate Connected message that the Firewall transmits.

Related Topics: Establishing a Host Session