5250 Emulator Displays a Black Screen Then Disconnects

• Microsoft SNA Server for Windows NT, versions 2.0, 2.1, 2.11, and 2.11 Service Pack 1

SYMPTOMS

On connection activation the 5250 emulator will connect briefly, then disconnect. You will receive the AS/400 logon dialogue, but you will never receive a signon screen from the AS/400, only a black screen.

CAUSE

A possible cause of this behavior is the virtual device not having permission to enter the application subsystem. A similar problem was seen with the SNA Server 2.1 5250 applet when you connect to OS/400 V3R1, although in that case the client is not disconnected but hangs during logon.

The SNA Server 2.11 and later client resolves that issue.

RESOLUTION

If no workstation type entries exist, the AS/400 administrator needs to add one. The *ALL workstation type will allow any workstation type access to the subsystem, but the AS/400 administrator should be consulted before adding this entry. Also the AS/400 administrator will need to indicate which subsystem users will be accessing.

To add a workstation entry for the type *ALL

ADDWSE SBSD("subsystemname")WRKSTNTYPE(*ALL) e.g. ADDWSE SBSD(QINTER)WRKSTNTYPE(*ALL) This will allow all devices to have access to the QINTER subsystem.

If there is a workstation name entry, the emulator can be configured with a device name that conforms to the entry. For example, if the workstation name entry is PCS*, then the emulator should be configured with a device name starting with PCS (PCSWRK1). Alternately, by default, the AS/400 will create devices based on the local LU name if no device name is specified. To avoid configuring all the clients, local LUs should be created that conform to the workstation name entry.

NOTE: No changes should made to the AS/400 without consulting the AS/400 Administrator. This article is not intended as a guide for configuring an AS/400.

MORE INFORMATION

The AS/400 subsystems have workstation type entries and workstation name entries that indicate what virtual devices have rights to use the subsystem. If this is a new install of OS/400, no entries will exist. If this is an existing install there may be an entry for only *CONS or for a specific device name, PCS*.

To display the workstation type and name entries

1. DSPSBSD "subsystemname" e.g. DSPSBSD QINTER

>>                            Display Subsystem Description
>>                                                           System:

>> Subsystem description:   QINTER         Library:   QSYS
>>Status:   ACTIVE

>>      1. Operational attributes
>>      2. Pool definitions
>>      3. Autostart job entries
>>      4. Work station name entries
>>      5. Work station type entries
>>      6. Job queue entries
>>      7. Routing entries
>>      8. Communications entries
>>      9. Remote location name entries
>>     10. Prestart job entries

>> F3=Exit   F4=Prompt   F9=Retrieve   F12=Cancel

1. Select 4 for name entries

>>              Display Work Station Name Entries
>>                                                             System:

>> Subsystem description:   QINTER         Status:   ACTIVE

>>   5=Display work station name details

>> Opt  Name           Opt  Name           Opt  Name           Opt  Name

>>   (No work station name entries)

>> F3=Exit   F9=Display all detailed descriptions   F12=Cancel

1. Select 5 for type entries

>>              Display Work Station Type Entries
>>                                                             System:

>>Subsystem description:   QINTER         Status:   ACTIVE

>>   5=Display work station type details

>> Opt  Type           Opt  Type           Opt  Type           Opt  Type
>>      *CONS
>>      *ALL

>> F3=Exit   F9=Display all detailed descriptions   F12=Cancel

To display all the subsystems

   WRKSBSD *ALL  This will present a list of all the subsystems.