Quick Beginnings

Welcome to Personal Communications

Personal Communications brings the power of personal networking to your workstation by exploiting networking capabilities to provide a variety of connectivity options supporting local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN) environments. Whether it is for host terminal emulation, client/server applications, or connectivity, Personal Communications offers a robust set of communication, networking, and administrative features.

Personal Communications is a full-function emulator. In addition to host terminal emulation, it provides these useful features:

• File transfer
• Dynamic configuration
• An easy-to-use graphical interface
• Emulator APIs such as Emulator High-Level Language Programming Interface (EHLLAPI), Host Access Class Library (HACL), and PCSAPI. For example, EHLLAPI is often used for automated operator applications which read host screens and enter keystrokes without direct user intervention. Refer to Emulator Programming and Host Access Class Library for details.

A variety of SNA-based client application programming interfaces (APIs) are supported by Personal Communications. You can create applications that use the peer-to-peer client APIs, which are based on LU 6.2 and provided by Personal Communications. These APIs let you simultaneously access and process information on peer workstations.

Personal Communications supports Advanced Peer-to-Peer Networking^(R) (APPN^(R)) as an end node, and uses the advanced network features: high-performance routing (HPR) and dependent LU requester (DLUR).

AnyNet^(R) SNA over TCP/IP is a feature of Personal Communications which allows emulator and client/server SNA applications to communicate over a TCP/IP network.

Enterprise Extender allows you to extend the reach of SNA applications and data to include IP networks and IP-attached clients with similar levels of reliability, scalability, and control as SNA users. Personal Communications supports the Enterprise Extender (EE) DLC.

What's New in Personal Communications Version 5.9

Personal Communications Version 5.9 is based on the popular Personal Communications Version 5.8. If you are familiar with Personal Communications Version 5.8, you might want to review the following new functions and enhancements.

Emulator session enhancements

The following functions and enhancements have been added for Personal Communications Version 5.9.

TN5250 Associated Printer support

This feature enables the dynamic association of a 5250 printer session or printer device to a 5250 display session. It is similar to the existing TN3270E Associated Printer support.

IPv6 support for EEDLC

Personal Communications includes IPv6 host name support for the EEDLC attachment. The enhanced support allows you to specify a host name when using either IPv4 or IPv6 addressing. This support is only available on Windows XP (SP1 or later) and Windows Server 2003.

TN3270E Contention Resolution

Personal Communications supports the TN3270E contention state resolution function described in the IETF TN3270E Functional Extensions Internet-Draft document. This feature allows the 3270 host to indicate to the client that the host has finished updating the application screen.

Customize Print Session window appearance

For 3270 and 5250 printer sessions, you can customize the appearance of the session window to display printer session status and configuration information such as host connection status, printer setup, and page setup details. You can also specify a wallpaper image for the session window.

Refer to Emulator User's Reference for more information on this feature.

iSeries Data Transfer long password support

The Personal Communications Data Transfer utility supports 128-character, case-sensitive profile passwords. Support for all four QPWDLVL password levels is provided.

Refer to Emulator User's Reference for more information on this feature.

Enhanced history logging for VT

When the host application sends the Erase in Display command sequence to erase a portion of the emulator's screen contents, the History Logging - Enhanced option allows the contents can be logged into the VT history window before being erased.

VT Move Cursor on Mouse Click option

This option enables you control the behavior of the cursor when you click the mouse in the presentation space.

Security enhancements

MSCAPI support

Microsoft CryptoAPI (MSCAPI) support enables the use of the MSCAPI security package for secure Telnet sessions.

Certificate Migration

The Certificate Migration utility enables you to migrate certificates stored in the Certificate Management utility, for use with the MSCAPI support.

Client Certificate Key Usage

This feature allows you to specify which Key Usage and Extended Key Usage values are required for a client certificate in a Client Authentication session.

Server Authentication

This feature provides the ability for the session to authenticate the server by matching the server name to the host or server certificate name.

Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) Mode

For secure Telnet sessions, FIPS mode ensures that only FIPS-approved cipher suites are used in the secure connection.

Programming enhancements

Primary Interop Assemblies for .NET

Automation objects exposed by Personal Communications can be used by applications written in any language that targets the .NET framework. Managed .NET applications can program Personal Communications by using the Primary Interop Assemblies (PIAs) that wrap the automation objects.

The installation program has a feature for installing the .NET Interops support. Refer to CD-ROM Guide to Installation for more information.

Refer to Host Access Class Library for information about this new support.

PCSAPI functions, HACL classes, and automation objects support to control page and printer settings

The following items have been added to the emulator programming APIs to allow control of the Page Setup and Printer Setup configuration settings.

PCSAPI Functions

• pcsRestorePageDefaults
• pcsSetPageSettings
• pcsGetPageSettings
• pcsSetPrinterSettings
• pcsGetPrinterSettings

Refer to Emulator Programming for more information about using PCSAPI functions.

Host Access Class Library C++ Classes

• ECLPageSettings
• ECLPrinterSettings
• ECLSession (new functionality added to existing class)

Refer to Host Access Class Library for more information about using HACL C++ classes.

Host Access Class Library Automation Objects

• autECLPageSettings class
• autECLPrinterSettings class
• autECLSession class (new functionality added to existing object)

Refer to Host Access Class Library for more information about using HACL Automation Objects.

Bidirectional enhancements

The following enhancements have been made for Arabic and Hebrew session and functions:

• The following parameters are set now by default, according to system locale:
  • National code page for a session
  • Keyboard settings
  • Code page setting for Data Transfer
• The Trace Facility can be used for bidirectional-specific components.
• All fonts installed on a system are available for printer sessions and the Print Screen function.
• Display mode in a VT session with Hebrew code page can be changed from Visual to Logical (and vice versa) without restarting the session.
• File Transfer is available in both Logical and Visual modes.

Personal Communications Program Icons

When you have installed Personal Communications, the main functions that you can use are displayed as icons. Icons are grouped in subfolders of the IBM Personal Communications program folder.

A brief explanation of each function follows:

Start or Configure Sessions

Use this icon to bring up the Session Manager. This dialog allows you to start or configure sessions. During configuration, you can specify the session type, screen size, LU number, graphics support, the type of communication link and its parameters, as well as other information. You can save all this information in a workstation profile. After saving, you can start the session by just clicking the session icon. Authorized users can also create new batch files from this dialog.

SNA Node Configuration

Use this icon to configure an SNA node and associated resources or to change advanced configuration parameters. Although most emulator sessions can be configured without the use of this utility, you will need to create an SNA node configuration to enable client/server and peer communication. This can also be run from an active session by selecting Actions -> Launch -> SNA Node Configuration.

Administrative and Problem Determination (PD) Aids

Certificate Migration

Use this icon to migrate security certificates from GSKit to Microsoft CryptoAPI (MSCAPI). Refer to Administrator's Guide and Reference for details about enabling and using session security.

Display SNA Sense Data

Use this icon to display SNA sense data and associated explanations. Sense data is SNA error information located in internal SNA flows, error logs, error messages, and traces. Some Personal Communications error messages include sense data.

Information Bundler

Use this icon to gather system files and specific trace and log files, as well as registry information, such as the software installed or running on a machine. This can also be run from an active session by clicking Actions -> Launch -> Information Bundler.

Internet Service

Use this icon to send system and diagnostic data collected by the Information Bundler to an FTP server. This can also be run from an active session by selecting Actions -> Launch -> Internet Service.

Log Viewer

Use this icon to view, merge, and sort the Personal Communications message and trace logs. Personal Communications logs errors and informational messages during initialization and operation. This can also be run from an active session by selecting Actions -> Launch -> Log Viewer.

Migration Utility

Use this icon to migrate your user-class and system-class files and desktop icons to Personal Communications Version 5.9.

Product Update Tool

Use this icon to access WebUpdate and check for Authorized Program Analysis Reports (APARs) and manufacturing refreshes.

SNA Node Configuration Verification

Use this icon to verify that the ASCII editing changes that you have manually made to the SNA node configuration data are valid.

SNA Node Operations

Use this icon to perform SNA node operations, such as starting or stopping resources or displaying resource information. This can also be run from an active session by selecting Actions -> Launch -> SNA Node Operations.

Trace Facility

Use this icon to turn trace functions on and off and to capture communication protocol information that passes between your workstation and other host systems. You can use traces to resolve communication problems. This can also be run from an active session by selecting Actions -> Launch -> Trace Facility.

Utilities

The APING and AFTP utilities are available in U.S. English only.

iSeries Connection Configuration

Use this icon if you want to define connections to each iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5 host that will use the data transfer function.

Certificate Management

Use this icon to enable Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) communication between your communication server and client. Refer to Administrator's Guide and Reference for details on how to use this utility.

Check Connection APING

Use this sample CPI-C program to verify network connections. You can use APING to establish network connections, diagnose problems, and take simple performance measurements. APING exchanges data packets with a partner computer and measures how long the data transfer takes.

CM Mouse

Use this icon to define mouse buttons to perform any sequence of host keystrokes, including PF keys and special emulator control keys. You can also build popup menus to control host applications without making any changes to those host programs.

Note:

CM Mouse is a sample application that has been provided for use as a utility. It is only available in English and only runs on SBCS systems.

This utility can only be installed using the Custom Installation option. Refer to CD-ROM Guide to Installation for more information.

CM Mouse Configuration

Use this icon to configure the CM Mouse Scripting utility.

Convert Macro

Use this icon to convert an existing Personal Communications macro to an XML or VBScript file.

Data Transfer (iSeries only)

Use this icon to transfer data between a workstation and an iSeries, eServer i5, or System i5 database.

Database Access

Use this icon to start the Database Access utility that lets you retrieve data from a database, such as an SQL server, Microsoft Excel, Lotus^(R) 1-2-3^(R), or dBASE database (that complies with Microsoft ODBC standards, Level 1). You can then pass the retrieved data directly to Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, and other applications.

DOS EHLLAPI

Use this icon to enable or disable DOS-based EHLLAPI programs that communicate with the 32-bit Personal Communications emulator.

Menu Bar Customization

Use this icon to customize the menu bar in the session window.

Multiple Sessions

Use this icon to create batch files (.BCH), which can specify multiple emulator sessions (workstation profiles) or other supported Windows programs that you want to start concurrently. You can create an icon for each batch file and start the programs just by clicking the icon.

Transfer File AFTP

Use this program to provide a fast and efficient transfer of text and binary files.

User Preferences

Use this icon if you want to set up or change the user preferences, such as changing the user interface language.

ZipPrint (3270 only)

Use this icon to start the ZipPrint program, which allows you to print host system files or screens, PROFS^(R) or OfficeVision^(R) notes, calendars, and documents, CMS files, and XEDIT workspaces. When started, ZipPrint adds an item to the menu bar of the session window.

Personal Communications Sessions

The sessions that Personal Communications provides are logical connections enabling communication between your workstation and a host system. The following session types are available:

Display session

Use your workstation as a display terminal connected to the host system.

Printer session

Use your workstation printer as a host system printer.

Client/server session

Establish connections that allow peer communications using CPI-C and APPC (LU 6.2).

Personal Communications Connections

Personal Communications supports a variety of connections to the following host systems. Following are the icons you will encounter when you begin to configure an emulator session:

zSeries

iSeries

ASCII

S/3X

zSeries Emulator Connections

Table 1. zSeries Emulator Connection Icons

iSeries Emulator Connections

Table 2. iSeries Emulator Connection Icons

ASCII Emulator Connections (SBCS only)

Table 3. ASCII Emulator Connection Icons

S/3X Emulator Connections

Table 4. S/3X Emulator Connection Icons

Client/Server (Peer) Connections

Personal Communications provides APPN end node support for workstations, allowing them to communicate more flexibly with other systems in the network.

When your workstation is defined as an APPN end node, an APPN network node server provides the following directory and routing services for your workstation:

• Intermediate session routing
• Directory services
• Topology and route selection services

Using Personal Communications, you can establish client/server connections to a variety of computers and to workstations running Windows 2000 or Windows XP. Another option is to connect the computers to a workstation running Communications Server. Available SNA client/server connection types are:

• LAN via IEEE 802.2
• Synchronous Data Link Control
• SNA-over-Async
• AnyNet SNA over TCP/IP
• Hayes AutoSync
• IBM Global Network - SNA over Async
• Twinaxial Data Link Control (APPC)
• X.25
• OEM Deep adapter
• WAC
• Enterprise Extender

APPN Networking

Advanced Peer-to-Peer Networking (APPN) is the underlying networking protocol that routes APPC traffic through intermediate nodes in the network. For instance, when Program A uses APPC to talk to Program B, APPN finds the node where Program B is located and directs the APPC traffic through the network.

APPN includes several features that help reduce the amount of configuration required to set up and maintain a network. These features automate many tasks that are time consuming, complicated, and error prone. For example, if you're installing a new workstation that uses APPN, you don't have to set up configuration information for every workstation you want to communicate with. You simply provide the name of the computer and the address of the intermediate node that handles your traffic. APPN takes care of the rest of the information needed to route APPC traffic to and from your workstation.

If you connect to an APPN network, you simplify your own configuration and make it easier for other computers in the network to find you.

For more information about SNA Client/Server concepts, refer to Administrator's Guide and Reference.

APPC

Advanced program-to-program communication (APPC), also known as LU 6.2, is software that enables high-speed communications between programs on different computers, from portables and workstations to midrange and host computers. APPC software is available for many different operating systems, either as part of the operating system or as a separate software package.

APPC is a communications protocol that enables programs on different computers to "talk to" each other. APPC provides the interface between the programs and the networking hardware and software and defines the rules that programs use to exchange information.

APPC serves as an interface between application programs and the network. When the communications application on your workstation passes information to the APPC software, APPC takes the information and sends it on to a network interface, such as a Token-Ring adapter card. The information travels across the network to another computer, where the APPC software receives the information from the network interface. APPC puts the information back into its original format and passes it to the corresponding communications application.

Refer to Emulator User's Reference for more information.

APPN Network

By participating in an APPN network, Personal Communications workstations can also take advantage of two additional functions:

• High-performance routing
• Dependent LU requester

High-Performance Routing (HPR)

Personal Communications supports high-performance routing (HPR) over token-ring and Ethernet connections, which increases data routing performance and reliability. HPR supports the rapid transport protocol to provide nondisruptive rerouting around network outages, efficient selective retransmission, and end-to-end data integrity and congestion control.

Dependent LU Requester (DLUR)

DLUR allows dependent LUs (LU 0, 1, 2, 3, and dependent LU 6.2) to benefit from an APPN network. It supports dynamic and multiple paths through the network and eliminates the need for dependent LUs (or their gateway) to be adjacent to the VTAM^(R) host.

A DLUR is an APPN end node or network node that owns dependent LUs, but requests that a dependent LU server (DLUS) provide the system services control point (SSCP) for those dependent LUs. A DLUS controls conversion from a subarea environment to an APPN environment, allowing you to maintain central management of remote dependent LUs while benefiting from an APPN network.

Personal Communications uses the support in VTAM V4R2 for dependent LUs through APPN networks and combined subarea and APPN networks. The dependent LU server function (in VTAM) provides dependent secondary logical unit (SLU) support by establishing an LU 6.2 session between a dependent LU requester node (DLUR), and a dependent LU server node (DLUS).

Refer to the information about SNA Client/Server concepts in Emulator User's Reference for more information.

AnyNet

Personal Communications includes AnyNet SNA over TCP/IP support, which allows SNA emulator and client/server applications to communicate over a TCP/IP network. Using the AnyNet function, you can reduce the number of installed network protocols and reduce operational complexity without modifying your existing applications or hardware.

Refer to Emulator User's Reference for more basic information about AnyNet.

Refer to Administrator's Guide and Reference for examples of how to set up AnyNet connections.

Enterprise Extender (HPR over IP)

Enterprise Extender allows you to extend the reach of SNA applications and data to include IP networks and IP-attached clients with similar levels of reliability, scalability, and control as SNA users. Enterprise Extender integration uses standard IP technology and does not require new hardware or software in the IP backbone.

Enterprise Extender is a simple set of extensions to the existing HPR technology, and provides the following:

• Nondisruptive backup from desktop to host
• SNA transport over native IP network
• End-to-end failure protection
• End-to-end data prioritization
• Scalable and cost-effective connectivity

ActiveX/OLE 2.0 Support

Personal Communications sessions can be included as part of a compound document. A compound document is a document that appears to be a single unit, but which is in fact made up of information from more than one program. For example, a compound document could include data that allows Personal Communications to execute within the context of the spreadsheet program.

When included as part of another program, Personal Communications is known as an embedded or linked object and the program is known as a container. Personal Communications supports ActiveX/OLE 2.0-compliant containers such as Lotus Notes^(R), Lotus WordPro, and Microsoft Word. For most containers you can embed an object by using a menu sequence (for example, in Microsoft Word, use Insert, then Object), or by dragging and dropping a workstation profile into the document.

As an embedded object, Personal Communications can change its appearance to be part of the container program, providing the container program allows this change to occur. Or, Personal Communications can be started so that it runs in its own separate window utilizing its own profile and screen displays.

There is a variety of ways that Personal Communications can be activated as an embedded object. For example, Personal Communications can be shown as an icon within another program, and be activated by double-clicking. Another way Personal Communications can be activated is through a script; Visual Basic or LotusScript are examples of scripting languages supported by Personal Communications, but any ActiveX/OLE automation scripting language can be used.

The use of scripts allows Personal Communications to be activated as a part of an automation request. For example, a script can be written to automatically start Personal Communications every time the container object is started, or a script can be used to automatically put data on host entry screens.

The Personal Communications session ends when the container is closed or when you close the Personal Communications window. If Personal Communications was actuated as a linked object, it must be closed separately.

Object-Oriented API

Personal Communications provides a new language-independent object-oriented API. There are seven objects that can be used in conjunction with Visual Basic, Lotus Script, or any ActiveX/OLE automation scripting language to produce compound documents where Personal Communications is an embedded object within another program.

If you are interested in writing an application that includes Personal Communications as an object within your ActiveX/OLE 2.0 compliant program, refer to the Host Access Class Library (HACL) programming manual. This manual describes the objects that Personal Communications provides and describes what you need to do to access the Personal Communications data. Information is provided for programmers using Visual Basic scripts, Lotus scripts, and the C++ programming language. Samples of Visual Basic and Lotus scripts are provided on the Personal Communications CD-ROM.