IBM i 5250 Emulation (aka IBM® i Access for Web)
So what does IBM say about this?
IBM® i Access for Web provides a set of Java™ servlets to access IBM i resources through a browser interface. These servlets run in a Web application server environment on a system running IBM i. IBM WebSphere® Application Server and IBM integrated Web application server for i are supported.
The IBM i Access for Web 5250 user interface provides a Web interface for configuring, starting, and using 5250 sessions. Additional support includes macros for automating repetitive tasks, customized keypads for fast access to frequently used keys and macros, and Web and Traditional views.
A list of tasks that can be performed follows. Any of these tasks can be restricted using the customize function.
- Start session 5250 sessions can be started to any system running IBM i. The system to access is not required to have IBM i Access for Web installed, but the telnet server must be running and accessible.Macros can be recorded and played while a session is active. They can be shared with other users by creating shortcuts to them. You can modify, copy, delete, or rename a macro.
- Active sessions A list of active 5250 user interface sessions for the current user can be displayed. Once a session is started, it remains active until it is either stopped or it times out after a period of inactivity. From the session list, you can reconnect to a session which was suspended by viewing another page or by closing the browser window. Session settings can be edited for active sessions. Sessions can also be shared with other users. Sharing a session provides other users with a read-only view of the session. This can be helpful in situations such as demonstrations and debugging.
- Configured sessions Configured sessions can be created to save customized session settings. The list of configured sessions for the current user can be displayed. From the list, 5250 user interface sessions can be started using the settings in a configured session. Configured sessions can be shared with other users by creating shortcuts to them. Configured sessions can also be modified, copied, deleted, and renamed. Customized keypads can be configured for use with all sessions.
So what does IBM say about this?
The following topics provide information on configuring, customizing, utilizing, and saving the product in this environment.
- Configuring IBM i Access for Web in a Web application server environment
Installing IBM i Access for Web on the system running IBM i does not make it available for use. To use IBM i Access for Web, it must be configured in the Web application server environment. - Customizing IBM i Access for Web in a Web application server environment
You can customize IBM i Access for Web by controlling access to its functions and customizing how page content is presented. - IBM i Access for Web functions
These topics describe the supported functionality, usage considerations, and restrictions for the IBM i Access for Web servlets in a Web application server environment. - IBM i Access for Web URL interfaces
The functionality provided by IBM i Access for Web is available through a number of URL interfaces. These URL interfaces can be included as links on Web pages to provide direct access to IBM i Access for Web functions. These URLs can also be bookmarked for easy access to frequently used tasks. - Automating tasks
IBM i Access for Web provides a program to automate the running of tasks. By automating the running of tasks, those tasks can also be scheduled to run when you need them to run. This topic discusses how to automate and schedule IBM i Access for Web tasks. - NLS considerations
IBM i Access for Web displays information from a variety of sources. Some of these sources are able to provide information in more than one language, or format information in a language-specific manner. - Saving and restoring IBM i Access for Web in a Web application server environment
The commands SAVLICPGM and RSTLICPGM can be used to save and restore IBM i Access for Web from one system to another. Using these commands has the same effect as installing IBM i Access for Web using the install media (CD-ROM). However, the advantage of using the commands is that any IBM i Access for Web PTFs that have been applied are saved from the source system and restored to the target system.
What does the 5250 Emulation Screen look like in the Browser?
IMPORTANT NOTE — The browser handles many keystrokes differently to a regular 5250 Application. For example – if you are in a browser and press BACKSPACE or TAB what happens? This will still happen when you are using the IBM i 5250 Emulation webpage… it is after all, simply a webpage.
Smartphone? Tablet?
Yes, that’s right – the huge advantage of this technique is that you can sign on and do things direct from your mobile phone, or iPad or just about any device that can surf the web.
Function keys aka Command Keys will also work differently so IBM have provided nice buttons to handle any of these keys that might not be available for users on a smartphone or tablet.
Still interested?
Want to see how to install and setup this IBM i 5250 Emulation for the Web?
Free or Opensource 5250 Emulators
The TN5250J java application is an IBM i 5250 terminal emulator written in Java. Originally created because there was no AS4000/iSeries terminal emulator for Linux with features like continued edit fields, GUI windows, cursor progression fields etc.