Quick Beginnings


Utilities

Personal Communications provides various utilities, including the following:

32-bit ODBC Administrator
Allows you to add, configure, or delete an ODBC data source.

Database Access
Allows read-only access to data in the selected database after you have configured a data source.

CM Mouse
Provides intelligent and programmable mouse support for 3270 and 5250 emulation sessions.

Menu Bar Customization
Provides a means of changing the content of the menu bar of the Personal Communications session window.

Multiple Sessions
Provides the capability to run multiple host sessions using a single icon.

ZipPrint
Allows you to print PROFS or OfficeVision notes, calendars, OV documents, CMS files, XEDIT workspaces, and 3270 session screens.

Convert Macro
Allows an existing Personal Communications Macro file to be converted to an XML or VBScript file.

PC Organizer
Runs Windows applications from a 5250 display session.

Data Transfer
Transfers data from the iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5 to your workstation, or from your workstation to the iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5 (record-level data transfer).

Text Assist (SBCS only)
Allows you to create or edit a document or short messages.

iSeries Connection Configuration
Define connections to each iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5 host that will use the data transfer function.

User Preferences
Configuration of certain advanced parameters.

Product Update Tool
Allows testing and application of manufacturing refreshes and Authorized Program Analysis Reports.

32-Bit ODBC Administrator

ODBC is a programming interface that enables applications to access data in database management systems that use Structured Query Language (SQL) as a data access standard.

Use the following steps to set up the Personal Communications ODBC data source:

  1. Select the 32-bit ODBC Administrator icon from the Windows Control Panel. The Data Sources window appears.
  2. Select IBM DB2(R) ODBC Driver data source in the Data Sources (Drivers) list. Then click Finish.
  3. Click Add Database. The Personal Communications Add Database SmartGuide appears to prompt you through the set up.
  4. Select the Manually Configure a Connection to a DB2 Database radio button.
  5. Specify the information to set up the data source, by clicking Next.
  6. When you are finished specifying the information, click Done.
  7. You will be prompted to test the connection. To test the connection, click OK.

Notes:

  1. Personal Communications uses ODBC 32-bit drivers. Applications, such as Lotus 1-2-3 included in the Lotus SmartSuite(R) 96 package, require a 16-bit driver and will not work with Personal Communications. You should see your product vendor for a version that utilizes 32-bit ODBC drivers (Lotus 1-2-3 included in Lotus SmartSuite 97 for example).

  2. To successfully test the DB2 connection, you must start the Personal Communications SNA subsystem with the appropriate configuration data. This configuration data must include the following:

    You might also need to include a Local LU 6.2 definition.

    For more information on SNA Node operations, refer to Administrator's Guide and Reference.

Following is a sample .ACG file:

NODE=(
     ANYNET_SUPPORT=ANYNET_SUPPORTED
	  CP_ALIAS=YOURALIAS
     DEFAULT_PREFERENCE=NATIVE
     DISCOVERY_SUPPORT=DISCOVERY_CLIENT
     FQ_CP_NAME=YOUR.CPNAME              * <---- Modify w/ CP Name
     NODE_ID=05D00000
     NODE_TYPE=END_NODE
     REGISTER_WITH_CDS=1
     REGISTER_WITH_NN=1
)
PORT=(
     PORT_NAME=LAN0_04
     DLC_DATA=00000000000004
     DLC_NAME=LAN
     IMPLICIT_CP_CP_SESS_SUPPORT=1
     IMPLICIT_DEACT_TIMER=0
     IMPLICIT_DSPU_SERVICES=NONE
     IMPLICIT_HPR_SUPPORT=1
     IMPLICIT_LIMITED_RESOURCE=NO
     LINK_STATION_ROLE=NEGOTIABLE
     MAX_IFRM_RCVD=8
     MAX_RCV_BTU_SIZE=32767
     PORT_TYPE=SATF
     PORT_LAN_SPECIFIC_DATA=(
          ACK_DELAY=100
          ACK_TIMEOUT=3000
          ADAPTER_NUMBER=0
          BUSY_STATE_TIMEOUT=60
          IDLE_STATE_TIMEOUT=30
          LOCAL_SAP=04
          MAX_RETRY=10
          OUTSTANDING_TRANSMITS=16
          POLL_TIMEOUT=3000
          POOL_SIZE=16
          REJECT_RESPONSE_TIMEOUT=30
          TEST_RETRY_INTERVAL=8
          TEST_RETRY_LIMIT=5
          XID_RETRY_INTERVAL=8
          XID_RETRY_LIMIT=5
     )
)
LINK_STATION=(
     LS_NAME=LINKMVS
     ACTIVATE_AT_STARTUP=1
     ADJACENT_NODE_TYPE=APPN_NODE
     AUTO_ACTIVATE_SUPPORT=0
     CP_CP_SESS_SUPPORT=1
     DEFAULT_NN_SERVER=0
     DEST_ADDRESS=40000000000000      * <---- Modify w/ Dest
     DISABLE_REMOTE_ACT=0
     DSPU_SERVICES=NONE
     ETHERNET_FORMAT=0
     HPR_SUPPORT=0
     LIMITED_RESOURCE=NO
     LINK_DEACT_TIMER=0
     LINK_STATION_ROLE=USE_ADAPTER_DEFAULTS
     MAX_IFRM_RCVD=0
     MAX_SEND_BTU_SIZE=32767
     NODE_ID=05D00000
     PORT_NAME=LAN0_04
     SOLICIT_SSCP_SESSION=0
     TARGET_PACING_COUNT=1
     TG_NUMBER=0
     USE_DEFAULT_TG_CHARS=1
)
DLUR_DEFAULTS=(
     DEFAULT_PU_NAME=YOURALIAS    * <---- Modify w/ your name
     DLUS_RETRY_LIMIT=3
     DLUS_RETRY_TIMEOUT=5
)
LOCAL_LU=(
     LU_NAME=LUNAME               * <---- Modify w/ LU Name
     LU_ALIAS=LUALIAS             * <---- Modify w/ LU Alias
     LU_SESSION_LIMIT=0
     NAU_ADDRESS=0
     ROUTE_TO_CLIENT=0
     DEFAULT_POOL=0
)
.
.
.
PARTNER_LU=(
     FQ_PLU_NAME=PARTNER.LUNAME       * <---- Modify w/ Partner Info
     CONV_SECURITY_VERIFICATION=1
     MAX_MC_LL_SEND_SIZE=32767
     PARALLEL_SESSION_SUPPORT=1
     PARTNER_LU_ALIAS=RBNAME          * <---- Modify w/ Location/RDBNAME
     PREFERENCE=USE_DEFAULT_PREFERENCE
)
CPIC_SIDE_INFO=(
     SYM_DEST_NAME=DB2CPIC            * <----- Needed for ODBC configuration
     CONVERSATION_SECURITY_TYPE=NONE
     MODE_NAME=IBMRDB
     PARTNER_LU_NAME=USIBMNM.NM57DB21 * <---- Modify w/ Partner Info
     TP_NAME=DB2DRDA                  * <---- Modify w/TP Name (per DB2 help)
     TP_NAME_TYPE=APPLICATION_TP
)
VERIFY=(
     CFG_MODIFICATION_LEVEL=13
     CFG_VERSION_LEVEL=1
)

Database Access

Database Access lets you access host or PC databases and retrieve data, using ODBC drivers. If you specify the conditions for accessing data in each window, the desired query can be created automatically.

From Database Access, you can:

Before using Database Access, you should read Help information on:


CM Mouse

CM Mouse allows users of host applications to point and click to perform host functions. Clicking a CM Mouse on hot spots gives true context-sensitive function to each host application screen. Hot spots are not fixed function or fixed placement, but change dynamically as you move through a host application.

CM Mouse pop-up menus give you instant access to lists of options and functions with a simple point and click. Pop-up menus can simplify command selection, choose options, and automate repetitive tasks. The CM Mouse pop-up menu editor allows you to quickly and easily customize the menus for your own purposes or to create new menus.

The CM Mouse scripting language is powerful enough to automate complex host interactions, yet simple enough for novice users.

Refer to CM Mouse Support User's Guide and Reference for more information.


Menu Bar Customization

This utility enables you to remove items from the menu bar of the Personal Communications session window. The changes affect only the session that you customize, so you can make different changes to each session. You can remove three types of items:

The modifications to the menu bar are saved in the workstation profile that you choose and become active the next time you start the session.

Note:
If you created a customized menu in a previous version of Personal Communications, you may need to reconfigure the settings to account for the new menu structure in Version 5.9.

Multiple Sessions

The Personal Communications Multiple Sessions Batch Program enables you to start several host sessions by clicking a single icon; the necessary commands are specified in a batch file (.BCH). You can include in a batch file other programs, which may communicate with a host session using the DDE or EHLLAPI interface.


ZipPrint

ZipPrint is a 3270 utility that enables you to print PROFS or OfficeVision (OV) notes, calendars, OV documents, CMS files, XEDIT workspaces, and 3270 session screens. By default, it uses the Windows printer currently set up for the host session, but you can change it if you wish.

You do not have to install ZipPrint--you just start it. It adds itself to the menu bar of the sessions for which you define it, so you can use it in the same way as any other menu bar function. You must start ZipPrint before you start a session in which you want to use it.

ZipPrint needs the DDE/EHLLAPI, so you must make sure that this is enabled for the sessions for which you want to use ZipPrint. (It is enabled by default, but you should check that it has not been turned off.)

For more information about ZipPrint, see ZipPrint (3270 Only).

File Transfer Considerations

ZipPrint uses the Personal Communications file transfer function to print VM/CMS notes and files. In order for this function to work correctly, you should use the VM/CMS host type for 3270 file transfer.

In the emulator session window, click Edit -> Preferences -> Transfer. On the File Transfer Settings -> General tab, select VM/CMS from the Host Type drop-down list.

On slow communications lines, such as some IBM Global Network or Home3270 connections, or if you are using a large packet or block size, you may experience a file transfer timeout. If you do, you should increase the timeout delay. To change the timeout delay, do the following:

  1. From the session menu, click Edit -> Preferences -> Transfer.
  2. On the General tab, change the File Transfer Timeout to 150 seconds.

Convert Macro

The Convert Macro utility enables you to convert an existing Personal Communications Macro file to XML or a VBScript file.

Note:
Macros that are converted to XML are intended for use in Host On-Demand and will not function in Personal Communications emulation sessions. Use the HOD Macro Manager to import a converted Personal Communications macro into HOD. These converted macros will not appear in the list of available Personal Communications macros.

To use the conversion utility, click IBM Personal Communications -> Utilities -> Convert Macro.

To convert an existing macro to XML or a VBScript, do the following:

  1. Select the name of an existing macro to be converted.
    Note:
    The macro must exist in the application data directory specified during installation.
  2. Select VBScript or XML as the type of macro to which to convert.
  3. Click Convert.
  4. Enter a name for the new XML file or VBScript or accept the generated name. The extension will be added automatically.
    Note:
    When saving a converted XML macro you can choose where you would like to save it. You should not change the location of the converted VBScript macros.
  5. Click Save.
  6. Repeat the procedure to convert another macro, or click Close to end the application.

PC Organizer

You can use the PC Organizer to run DOS commands and applications or Windows applications from a 5250 display session.

iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5 Requirements

Before you can use the PC Organizer, one of the following programs must have been installed on the iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5:

  • i5/OS(TM) or OS/400(R) V3 or later
  • iSeries Access for Windows
  • PC Support/400 (5738-PC1)

Starting the PC Organizer

To start the PC Organizer:

  1. Start a 5250 display session.
  2. Sign on to the iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5.
  3. Enter the following command on the iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5 command line:
      STRPCO PCTA(*NO)
    
    Note:
    Personal Communications does not support the PC Text Assist (PCTA) function, so you should specify this parameter with *NO. Even if you specify *YES, you cannot use the PC Text Assist function provided by the PC Support/400 Workstation Feature.

You can now use the PC Organizer functions in a 5250 display session by using one of the following methods:

PCO.EXE Message

When you run a workstation command or program, you might receive a message that the PCO.EXE program is not active. You can ignore this message, because it is not necessary for PC400 to activate PCO.EXE.

STRPCCMD_PAUSE Keyword

You can use the .WS profile keyword STRPCCMD_PAUSE to control the pause behavior after a command is issued using STRPCCMD. The keyword can take values Y (Yes) or N (No).

If the STRPCCMD_PAUSE feature is not enabled (value is N), PC5250 processes the STRPCCMD command in the following manner. This is the default behavior.

If the STRPCCMD_PAUSE feature is enabled, PC5250 spawns the given STRPCCMD command (DOS command or Windows application). PC5250 waits for the command/application to complete before telling the iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5 host that it has finished.

Notes:

  1. For DOS commands, there is no way to have Press any key to continue... appear in the DOS box or have PC5250 wait for the user to press a key before it tells the iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5 host that it is finished.

  2. While waiting for the command/application to complete, the presentation space (display) is cleared to a blank state.

Getting Help

Refer to the online help for more information about using the PC Organizer.

  1. Select Procedures from the Help menu.
  2. When the help window appears, search for organizer or scroll down to PC Organizer (5250 Session).

    Select topics in the list to view information about starting and using the PC Organizer, using the PC Organizer menu, and the differences between the PC Organizer provided with PC400 and PC Support/400.


Data Transfer

Personal Communications Data Transfer enables you to transfer data between an iSeries system and your workstation. To use the Data Transfer function, select the Data Transfer icon.

Transferring data is quite different from transferring files, which is described in Transferring Files.

Requirements

Before you can transfer data with Personal Communications:

  • If you are using SNA connectivities, you must have an active iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5session.
  • IBM PC Support/400 (5738-PC1) must be installed on your iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5, unless OS/400 Version 3 (or later) or i5/OS is installed.

There are two types of data transfer, depending on the direction of the transfer.

Data sending
Data is transferred from your workstation to the iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5. You can transfer data to any of the following destinations:

Note:
You cannot transfer data from a workstation file to an iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5 logical file.

Data receiving
Data is transferred from the iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5 to your workstation.

While receiving data from the host, you can specify the data to be received and where the data is to be output.

Receivable data includes:

Specify the following output destinations:

Also, you can specify the numeric value format.

For more information about data transfer, refer to Emulator User's Reference.


Text Assist (SBCS only)

With Personal Communications, you can use the improved text editing capability of Text Assist provided by the OfficeVision/400(TM) word processing function to create a document or short messages, or to edit an existing document.

To start the text assist function, enter WRKDUC on the 5250 command line.

For more information about using Text Assist, refer to the documentation for the OfficeVision/400 program.

The Text Assist function in Personal Communications is a Controller Text Assist, not the PC Text Assist supported by PC Support/400 Workstation Feature.

Controller Text Assist in Personal Communications provides the following functions that are not included in PC Text Assist:

Controller Text Assist in Personal Communications does not, however, provide the multicolumn edit function that is included in PC Text Assist.

Note:
In the Text Assist environment, Alt key functions are assigned to the Ctrl key state to avoid conflicts with existing emulator functions. For example, the Word Underscore (WrdUnd) key is Ctrl+W rather than Alt+W. Many of these functions can be remapped to the Alt key state without conflicting with emulator functions.

When you draw a line using the cursor draw option of the OfficeVision/400 program, the insert mode is not available.

iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5 Software Requirements

The iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5 must have one of the following programs installed to support the Text Assist features:

  • OS/400 V2R2.0 with cumulative PTF C3285220 with PTF SF14687
  • OS/400 V2R3.0 with PTF SF14495
  • OS/400 V3R0.5
  • OS/400 V3R1.0, or later
  • i5/OS

Text Assist Key Functions

Following is a list of OfficeVision/400 Text Assist key functions:

Function Description
Begin of Line Moves the cursor to the beginning of the line
Begin Bold Begins bold highlighting
Bottom of Page Moves the cursor to the bottom of the page
Carrier Return Ends a line of text or a paragraph by inserting a carrier return
Center Text Centers a line of text
End of Line Moves the cursor to the end of the line
End of Page Inserts an end-of-page character at the cursor position
End Bold/Underscore Ends bold highlighting and underlining
Half Index Down Begin subscript or end superscript
Half Index Up Begin superscript or end subscript
Insert Symbol Displays a menu for special symbols
Display Text Codes Shows hidden text controls
Next Column Inserts a next column instruction at the cursor position
Next Stop Code Moves the cursor to the next stop code symbol
Required Backspace Moves the cursor one space to the left
Required Space Inserts a required space to keep words together on a line
Required Tab Indents a block of text
Stop Code Inserts a stop code at the cursor position
Top of Page Moves the cursor to the top of the page
Begin Underscore Begins underlining text
Word Underscore Underlines the word that starts at the cursor position

iSeries Connection Configuration Utility

The iSeries Connection Configuration Utility is used to define connections to each iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5 host that will use the data transfer function. The connection definitions are saved in an .NDC file in ASCII format.

You can use this utility for either SNA or TCP/IP connections.

For more information on Data Transfer see Data Transfer.

To use the utility, click Start -> Programs -> IBM Personal Communications -> Utilities -> iSeries Connection Configuration; the resulting iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5 configuration screen has the following options:

Show IP Host Connections
Click this button to display and configure IP connections to the iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5 host.

Show SNA Hosts
Click this button to display and configure SNA connections to the iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5 host.

Add
Click the type of connection (IP or SNA), and then click Add. Enter the Host name and Alias in the resulting dialog box.

Modify
Select a host name from the connection list, and then click Modify to edit the Host name and the Alias in the .NDC file.

Remove
Select a host name from the connection list, and click Remove to delete this connection definition from the .NDC file.
Note:
When disabling a connection, if you want to preserve the connection definition but disable the connection, clear the checkbox next to the name in the connection list.

Select ACG File
Click this button to select an associated SNA Node configuration file (.ACG).

Global Parameters
Click this button to edit the Extension list and Cache size.

Extension List

The extension list parameter specifies the extension of a file on an iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5. You can specify more than one extension parameter in the extension list. The code pages of files with the specified extensions are translated from the EBCDIC code page to the ASCII code page when the file is transferred between the iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5 and the client. Up to three characters are allowed. There are two special cases:

Cache Size

The cache size parameter specifies the number of kilobytes of iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5 data that is buffered in the read-ahead cache of the client. The default is 256 KB; the maximum is 4 MB. A value of zero requests that no cache be used. iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5 data can be retrieved in amounts that are first cached locally on the client. The client retrieves the data from the cache to populate the local device. This read-ahead caching reduces the number of times the client has to access the iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5 to retrieve the data.


User Preference Manager

The User Preference Manager (UPM) provides a method for changing configuration and setup items.

Notes:

  1. Preferences set with UPM pertain to you whenever you log on to the same user ID on the affected workstation; they apply to all of your sessions while you are logged on.

  2. Preferences set using the session Edit menu apply to all sessions controlled by the workstation profile created or changed while using a session--when that session profile is used again, the preferences are applicable, regardless of the user ID at the time.

  3. One of the capabilities of UPM is to allow specification of a directory to be used for storing your profiles; this allows full control of your environment.

To access UPM, click Programs -> IBM Personal Communications -> Utilities -> User Preferences from the Windows Start menu. The initial UPM screen displays basic information about your Personal Communications installation on the property page with the General tab. Select the Basic tab to change user preferences.

Emulator Profile File Location

If the Classic Private application data directory location was selected during installation of Personal Communications, you can specify the default location of workstation profiles.

Macro/Script Location

You can specify where emulator macro and script files are to be placed. This directory will be common to all sessions.

By default, macros are placed in the application data directory specified during the installation of Personal Communications, and the macro/script location field value is blank.

User Interface Language

If your system was installed with multiple-language support, the Basic property page shows a section labeled Select a default user interface language. If you click on the radio button for Personal Communications User Interface Language Preference, it also shows a drop-down list box, with the language selected that is currently being used; you can select any other language from the list, and that language will be used for the user interface when you subsequently restart Personal Communications. Or you can click the radio button User Default from Regional Settings if you want the language to be that specified in the Windows settings. You can also click the radio button Post a Language Selection Dialog for each process; this results in a pop-up dialog each time you start a new application from the Personal Communications group of programs.

Note:
You might receive a warning message, if the selected language is incompatible with your system's current code page. You can ignore this, if you are planning to reboot your computer to select a new system locale with a compatible code page.

Standby/Hibernate

Choose whether to prompt for acceptance when the system attempts to go to standby or hibernate (power saving) mode. If you select Standby/Hibernate without prompting, Personal Communications allows the system to standby or hibernate without prompting you, even if sessions are connected. By default, this option is clear.

See Power Management for more information.


Product Update Tool

IBM provides two forms of updates to the Personal Communications product: manufacturing refreshes and Authorized Program Analysis Reports (APARs). Manufacturing refreshes are full product updates and APARs are single module product fixes. You should not implement manufacturing refreshes or APARs without administrative approval.

You can use the Product Update Tool to check for manufacturing refreshes and APARs for Personal Communications, using the Internet. You must be authorized in the System Policy--if you are not authorized, then a System Policy restriction panel will open.

To check for manufacturing refreshes and APARs:

  1. From the Windows Start menu, click IBM Personal Communications-> Administrative and PD Aids.
  2. Select Product Update Tool.
  3. The configuration panel appears automatically if WebUpdate has not been run after the initial Personal Communications installation. Click Connection Configuration to select the following options:
  4. Click OK to close the configuration panel.
  5. Click Check for MRs to access WebUpdate and check for available manufacturing refreshes. If manufacturing refreshes are available, you will be prompted to go to the registration Web pages for the manufacturing refreshes. If you do not go to the registration Web page, then the date used for automatic checking is not updated in the registry. A pop-up panel will notify you if there are no manufacturing refreshes available for the current version.
  6. The APAR portion of the utility is intended primarily for Personal Communications administrators. Do not test, commit, or remove an APAR without administrative approval. You must be connected to the Internet in order to test or commit APARs.

Refer to Administrator's Guide and Reference for more information about APARs and manufacturing refreshes and using the Product Update Tool.


[ Top of Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Table of Contents | Index ]