TN BRIDGE features

TN BRIDGE Host Integration Pack has been created for maximum simplicity in handling data between legacy-systems and your Microsoft® Windows application. Access mainframe screens through a set of properties, methods and events, allowing easy integration with programming languages like Visual Basic, VB.NET, C#, Delphi, etc.

Architecture

The architecture can be separated into three (3) key areas, classified by their functionality:

1. Mainframe Access Layer

Mainframe Access Controls communicate with mainframe systems, and expose a set of properties, methods and events to handle the data interchange. The TNB3270 and TNB5250 controls fall into this category.

2. Emulation Layer

The Emulation Layer is made up of four (4) terminal emulation controls. These controls Emulation Screen, Emulation Status Bar, Keyboard Handling, Macro Sequences and Profiles implement the main features for a terminal emulator program.

Emulation Status Bar: TNBStatusBar Component

Implements an emulation status bar. It works together with the TNBEmulator.

Macro Sequences: Macro Component

Implements the recording and playing of mainframe navigation sequences.

Emulation Screen: TNBEmulator Component

Implements an emulation panel that shows the host data and accepts input data that is sent to the mainframe. The displayed data is formatted according to the data stream format (3270 or 5250).

Hotspots: HotSpots Component

Based on Regular Expressions, the HotSpots component is used to control mainframe applications with the mouse. Includes full customization for screen recognition areas and appearance, etc.

Keyboard Handling: AidHook Component

Processes keyboard events and maps them to Emulation Function Keys and Attention Identifier Keys. The Emulation Function Keys are processed locally to manage the emulator behavior for input data (i.e. tab, cursor movement keys, Home key, etc.). The Attention Identifier Keys initiate the transmission of data, along with the proper Attention Identifier Code (i.e. enter, PF01, Clear, etc.).

3. Helper Controls

Synchronization: Sync Component

Provide a simplified interface for handling telnet components in synchronous mode.

XMLBroker Component

Implements the XML interface in the TN3270 and TN5250 components.

XMLTemplate Class

Implements the run-time side of the XML Templates technology, for producing custom XML content.

Macro Sequences: Macro Component

Implements the recording and playing of mainframe navigation sequences.

XMLVirtual Component

Implements a simulated TN3270/5250 component by using screens saved as XML files.

XMLClient Component

Implements the XML interface to the Emulation layer.

Trace: TnbTrace Component

Implements an application-side trace service for use with TN BRIDGE Development Lab. Generates trace information to allow real-time monitoring of communication events, mainframe screens, and method calls.

System Requirements

Hardware

Pentium 2 or equivalent computer/processor. Recommended: Pentium 3 or superior.
256 Mb Memory (RAM).
50 Mb of free disk space

Software

Microsoft Windows Operating System:

Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2008
Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2016
Windows 11
Windows 10
Windows 8
Windows 7
Windows Vista
Windows XP and older (ME/2k/98SE/NT)
Microsoft® .Net Framework (only required for TN BRIDGE for .Net)
Embarcadero Delphi (only required for TN BRIDGE for Delphi)

Scenarios

Government

For citizens and businesses who require access to local government services, TN BRIDGE Host Integration Pack gathers the related data, which is stored on various hosts. It allows web access and ensures that transaction applications are developed reliably and securely. It does this by using the Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP). SOAP messages are independent of any operating system or protocol and may be processed using a variety of Internet protocols like SMTP, MIME, and HTTP. The government’s open integration capability allows it to deploy new services more rapidly.

Industrial

Replacing different applications and custom-built interfaces with one standard TN BRIDGE Host Integration Pack connects all independent applications and numerous applications interfaces. It improves efficiency, reliability, and decreases operating costs.

Healthcare

TN BRIDGE is ideal for introducing a paperless documentation system within a hospital to improve workflow, increase efficiency and balance costs with the business value. Using the TN BRIDGE Host Integration Pack’s .NET capabilities with XML generation enables documents to be written once and read anywhere. System integrators and developers alike have the possibility to create appropriate web services in their preferred development environment.

Financial Services

For institutions wanting to improve customer satisfaction, increase the customer base and sell more services, TN BRIDGE Host Integration Pack provides access to applications that can connect to several hosts and integrate data, aggregating customer information. By enhancing, and not replacing their existing technology, businesses can reduce IT costs.

Development Lab

Research, tracking and testing environment that helps reduce the time required for planning, design, development, and QA.

Develop your PC-mainframe applications

In planning/design time, because you will understand the screen/events sequences produced by your host application. Then you can plan and test your navigation strategy through the host screens.
During development time, using the remote tracking functionality where you can connect to your TN BRIDGE-based development, even running it on another computer. You can also work in interactive mode to create code snippets for pasting them into your application.
To keep your deployed application error-free. You can use Development Lab to connect and track a running application even from a remote workstation. You can also save the trace information to a local file for external analysis.