Quick Beginnings

About This Book

This book describes how to install, configure, and start IBM^(R) Personal Communications. After you get Personal Communications up and running and begin to perform various tasks, use the online help whenever you need additional information. See Where to Find More Information for information about online help, the Personal Communications library, and related publications. Refer to the IBM Glossary of Computing Terms at the following URL for definitions of technical terms used throughout this book:
http://www.networking.ibm.com/nsg/nsgmain.htm

This book is for users of:

• IBM Personal Communications for Windows, Version 5.9
• IBM Personal Communications iSeries for Windows, Version 5.9

See What's in the Package for information regarding what is in the product package.

In this book, Windows^(R) refers to Microsoft^(R) Windows 2000, Windows 2003, and Windows XP. When information is applicable only to a specific operating system, this will be indicated in the text.

What's in the Package

The Personal Communications Version 5.9 package contains IBM Personal Communications for Windows, Version 5.9, which provides 5250, 3270, and VT emulation and connections to z/OS^(TM), z/VM^(TM), eServer^(TM) i5, System i5^(TM), iSeries^(TM), zSeries^(TM), ASCII, and System/36^(TM) or System/38^(TM) (S/3X) host systems.

In addition to the products previously mentioned, the Personal Communications CD-ROM contains the following:

• Adobe Acrobat Reader, to enable you to read softcopy books available on the CD-ROM
• Book files in PDF format

Notes:

1. For each of the two basic packaging options, there are also separate CD-ROMs, depending on:

   National Languages

   There is a multiple-language version that supports up to nineteen languages at the same time. There are also single language versions for

   • Traditional Chinese
   • Simplified Chinese
   • Korean

   Security Levels

   Personal Communications is shipped at the 168-bit encryption level.

2. The DB2 Connect^(TM) product is packaged on a separate CD-ROM.

Where to Find More Information

The following sections discuss getting help when you are installing, configuring, or using Personal Communications.

Information Center

You can find documentation and links to other resources at the Personal Communications Information Center, at the following address:
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/pcomhelp

The Information Center contains reference material that is not found in this book, such as keyboard layouts and host code page tables. The Japanese Information Center also contains FAQs and troubleshooting tips.

The Personal Communications Information Center provides information in English and Japanese.

Online Help

The help facility describes how to install, configure, and use Personal Communications. Online help is very extensive and includes information about every aspect of configuring and using Personal Communications. You can use Personal Communications online help just as you use the online help for Windows.

Use help to obtain information about:

• Menu choices
• Operation procedures
• Operations in windows
• Meanings of the terms displayed in windows
• Causes of errors and the corresponding actions to take
• Mouse-based operations
• Operation without a mouse
• Detailed explanations of specific terms
• Further technical information about Personal Communications
• Detailed explanations of operator information area (OIA) messages

The Quick Beginnings book is also available online, in HTML form. You can access the book from the Help menu in the Session Manager.

Personal Communications Library

The Personal Communications library includes the following publications:

• CD-ROM Guide to Installation
• Quick Beginnings (this document)
• Emulator User's Reference
• Administrator's Guide and Reference
• Emulator Programming
• Client/Server Communications Programming
• System Management Programming
• CM Mouse Support User's Guide and Reference
• Host Access Class Library
• Configuration File Reference

In addition to the PDF documents, there are HTML documents provided with Personal Communications:

Quick Beginnings

The HTML form of Quick Beginnings contains the same information as the PDF version. The HTML files are installed automatically and can be accessed from the Help menus in the Session Manager and .WS session panels.

Host Access Class Library for Java

This HTML document describes how to write an ActiveX/OLE 2.0-compliant application to use Personal Communications as an embedded object.

Host Access Beans for Java

This HTML document describes Personal Communications emulator functions delivered as a set of JavaBeans^(TM).

Related Publications

For information about local area networks (LANs), refer to the following publications:

• IBM Local Area Network Technical Reference
• AS/400 Communications: Local Area Network (LAN) Guide Version 2

Contacting IBM

This section lists ways you can reach IBM in case you encounter a problem or concern with Personal Communications. Depending on the nature of your problem or concern, we ask that you be prepared to provide the following information to allow us to serve you better.

• The environment in which the problem occurs:
  • Personal Communications configuration
    • Personal Communications version and manufacturing refresh level
    • The name of the workstation profile
    • The name of the SNA Node Configuration file
  • Workstation configuration
    • The machine type and model, the system memory, the video adapter
    • The communication adapter you are using
    • Other adapters (especially communication adapters) installed
    • The printer type and model
    • Other devices installed, such as sound cards, modems, or fax machines
  • Software configuration
    • Windows version and level
    • Communication and device-driver version and level
    • Other communication programs (such as Microsoft SNA Server or Microsoft Data Link Control) that are running and using resources
    • Printer driver version and level
  • Host configuration
    • The upstream host connection and configuration
• Problem analysis information
  • Symptoms
  • Type of problem
  • OIA messages or error messages (if any)
  • Key factors related to the problem

If you have a technical problem, take the time to review and carry out the actions suggested here. Use your local support personnel before contacting IBM. You can also check the Hints and Tips at the Personal Communications support Web page for more information. Only persons with in-depth knowledge of the problem should contact IBM; therefore, support personnel should act as the interface with IBM.

For information about problem analysis tools, refer to Emulators User's Reference for Personal Communications Version 5.9. This reference also provides detailed, specific emulator information about printing, file and data transfer, node operations, and other topics.

Support Options

To receive Personal Communications support news flashes, do the following:

1. Go to the Personal Communications support Web site at the following address:
   http://www.ibm.com/software/network/pcomm/support
   
2. Under Personal Support, click My Support.

   If you are already have an IBM Registration ID, you can sign in. If not, you must register.

3. After you have signed in, select Networking from the product family list.
4. Select the products for which you would like to receive news flashes. Click Save and Return.

   Your support profile is listed on the next screen.

5. For your mail preference, you can choose to receive email flashes, downloadable files, or both. Click Submit.

   You will receive a message indicating that your profile has been updated.

6. Click Sign out to end the session.

You can also subscribe to the IBM Network Software Support Bulletin, at the following address:
http://www.ibm.com/software/network/support/alert/bulletin.html

Enter the required information and select the products for which you would like to receive emails. If you have previously registered for the Bulletin, you can modify your profile at the same site.

Contacting IBM for Support

If you determine that you need to contact IBM, you can do any of the following:

• Access the Personal Communications Web page at the following URL:
  http://www.ibm.com/software/network/pcomm
  
• To find the phone number for IBM Software Support, U.S. customers can call 1-800-IBM-4YOU. International customers that have access to the U.S. "800" toll free numbers can reach the International Support Center by calling 1-800-IBM-4YOU and asking to speak with the International Support Center (ISC) in Atlanta. International customers without access to the U.S. toll free numbers can call the ISC directly at 770-863-1234. The ISC's FAX number is 770-863-3030 and is available 24 hours a day.