Using the browser to provide access to host applications through a traditional 3270 or 5250 terminal interface is a simple and effective way of providing terminal access to your users. This web-to-host solution is ideal if your users are already familiar with the character-based terminal interface and is adept at using existing host applications. In most environments in which this solution is deployed, existing host access technology is already in place, either through dumb terminals or software-based emulators.
SNA Server provides browser-based terminal emulation through the deployment of the SNA Server Web Client. The Web Client provides terminal emulation features through an ActiveX control that is part of a package downloaded to a user’s browser from a web server. Once downloaded and invoked, the control establishes a connection with the sponsor SNA Server computer that provides a connection to the host system.
Figure 13.1 Deploying SNA Server web clients.
Using this method requires no configuration on the client workstation, because the administrator specifies all connection information before the Web Client is downloaded into the browser. When a user downloads the ActiveX package, the connection information is contained in the download, allowing the Web Client to automatically establish a connection to the host system.
Once the Web Client software is downloaded to the client workstation, it does not need to be downloaded again unless the browser detects a newer version of the software on the web server; this can speed up the client startup time and minimize the load on your server. Because the Web Client software is distributed from a central location, updates and changes to host configurations are easily propagated to your users the next time they start the Web Client application.
The SNA Server Web Client is currently available for Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 clients running Internet Explorer 3.02 or later. Both 3270 and 5250 terminal emulation clients are provided.