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pcMAINFRAME - Release Notes
New Features - Mainframe
Transfer Performance Enhancements
Improved memory management - Above the Line processing
When running under CICS, the above the line release will run above the 16MB line to provide CICS DSA storage relief, especially when running multiple concurrent transfers. Intermediate storage is also allocated above the line whenever possible. A "below the line" version of release 5.20 is available for VSE customers who have not yet moved to CICS/VSE version 2.2 or above.
32K buffers for transfer data
For 3270 emulators that support structured field protocols, transfer buffers of up to 32K will be allocated and used. For CICS transfers, the buffer size is specified when the transfer is started.
Data Streaming
LU6.2 and direct TCP/IP connections utilize data streaming to reduce the number of turnarounds needed during transfers and maximize through-put.
Pooled PCID Facility
When authorized, one or more PCID's may be assigned to a PCID pool. As users start a transfer transaction, a unique PCID (as USER0001, USER0002, etc.) is developed and assigned to anyone with an "pooled ID" designation. This will allow a large pool of a given class of users to access pcMAINFRAME without the need to assign individual PCID.
Enhanced Multiple File Access Support
Alternate file access
An alternate file access can be specified when a direct read of a record on a secondary file returns ënot foundí. A read of the alternate file is then attempted using the KEY specified for the alternate read.
The alternate file does not have to be different from the original. Thus, you can look up a record with a specific key (e.g. PRODUCT-REGION), and if a record for the specified product-region cannot be found, use an alternate key, (e.g. PRODUCT-NULL), to obtain a default product record.
Generic access - Direct
A secondary record can now be accessed with a generic key. The read will obtain the first record on the file that has the same starting characters as the key data specified. One and only one record from the secondary file will be obtained for each record selected from the primary.
Generic Access - Sequential
One or more secondary records can now be accessed with a generic key. The request will obtain each record on the secondary file that has the same starting characters as the data specified as the generic key. A record will be extracted and downloaded for EACH matched record on the secondary file, as long as select/include/exclude rules are true.
Generic sequential access is similar to an SQL 'join' request.
Host Initiation Enhancements
LU6.2 support
LU6.2 support adds high speed data transfer to pcMAINFRAME host initiated transfers. By using the transaction support in LU6.2 stacks, pcMAINFRAME sessions will be automatically started on the PC, and no longer require that a pcMAINFRAME session be waiting for a request from the host.
32k buffer Support
Transfer buffers of up to 32K are also supported in host initiated transfers. During bulk transfers, 32K transmission blocks will be used whenever the link permits. For controlled CICS transfers, the buffer size specified in the derived setup file will be used.
New Features - PC
New - pcMAINFRAME for Windows 95/NT
pcMAINFRAME for Windows 95/NT runs only under Windows 95 or Windows NT. It provides support for Win32 functions, including long file and directory names as well as support for the newer 32-bit emulator products.
pcMAINFRAME for Windows will continue to run under Windows 3.1 with all of the new 5.20 features except long file name support.
Additional Device Support
New LU6.2 Support
- IBM Personal Communications for Win32
- Extra! Personal Client for Win32
- Rumba for Win32
- WinCPIC for Win32
New 3270 Device Support
- IBM Personal Communications for Win95/NT - Structured Field
- TCP Direct - cfPPP
New Support for Dial-Up TCP/IP
The cfPPP communications device driver (cfPPP) provides communications with an embedded TCP/IP and PPP protocol stack, allowing for controlled high speed dial-up access to host data. The cfPPP user can dial either an ISP or a modem pool at the host site, and use that link for host data transfer with pcMAINFRAME. Requires TCP/IP for MVS (with CICS component installed) or the APPX Router (either VSE or MVS).
cfPPP will often improve transfer rates an order of magnitude above protocol converter based communications.
APPX Router
pcMAINFRAME v5.20 supports the new APPX Router. pcMAINFRAME is built on cfSOFTWARE's premier middleware technology, Across the Boards. A new feature of Across the Boards, the APPX Router provides for a vastly simplified data transfer environment. Using only a single connection to the host (the APPX Router), all PCs on your LAN or Intranet can access host data with pcMAINFRAME over a high speed link, without any additional communications configuration.
All mainframe SNA communications issues are concentrated at one easy to manage (and secure) point. Only one set of mainframe VTAM and CICS definitions are required, no matter how many users need access to data, and the mainframe SNA network is only concerned with the connection to the APPX Router - the Router takes care of the connection to the user's PC.
The APPX Router is compatible with most Firewall and Virtual Private Networking (VPN) products. The first version of the APPX Router will be available 1/1/99, and will include support for TCP/IP connections only. Future versions will support IPX and NETBIOS (NetBEUI) connections as well.
The APPX Router, when combined with Windows NT Remote Access Services (RAS) and the cfPPP communications driver, provides high speed dial-up access for remote users. Direct access for Extranet users is provided as well.
Corrections:
- Corrected intermittent problem with Profile Directory display at the PC where not all detail lines were being displayed.
- Host Initiation for Windows
- Corrected failure of 'Wait for Host - Multiple' request after completion of a CICS transfer request. (MESSAGE=204: SEND-RECORD was issued while in NOT CONNECTED state)
- Corrected problem during second transfer of 'Wait for Host - Multiple' when advanced compression is used. (MESSAGE= 'Invalid response from PC')
- Corrected formatting of time-of-day field in Library Header records.
- All fixes to Windows 32-bit device drivers are included in this release.
- Corrected problem with User Profile Customization screen to properly deal with a Boolean 'AND' during record select specification.
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