Zend Server for IBM i - 5250 Bridge

Overview

The 5250 Bridge is a PHP solution that  provides access to interactive applications in the IBM i environment. Now PHP applications can access 5250 data streams which allows Web front ends to be created for existing applications.  All this can be accomplished without rewriting the original interactive applications.  The key benefits are:

• Web-based interfaces for traditional "green screen" applications for a wider range of functionality and display options
• Provide access to existing applications for user communities who are not familiar with the IBM i environment
  
• Providing System Integrators with tools to enable true integration with data and applications located on IBM i servers

"Green Screen" Application

Web Interface using 5250 Bridge and PHP

View 5250 Bridge Demo

Learn how to use the Zend 5250 Bridge, provided with Zend Server for IBM i, in order to utilize your back-end business logic while web-enabling your 5250 applications. The video demonstrates how to use the demo applications provided with the 5250 Bridge in order to write code which emulates an IBM i application in PHP and HTML. Click here to view the demo or click here to download the software used in this demo.

How the Zend 5250 Bridge Works

This diagram shows how the 5250 Bridge can be used to access information from a 5250 program and leverage it to either be displayed in a browser-based environment or to populate screen values:

• PHP sends a 'start session' request to the 5250 Program using the 5250 Bridge.
• The 5250 Bridge returns a confirmation to PHP that the session has started.
• The 5250 Bridge sends current screen information in XML format to PHP (e.g. format name, input and output fields and current cursor position).
• The input values can be automatically entered into the program or sent on in HTML format for user input.
  

Zend 5250 Bridge Advantages

The following list describes a few key advantages to implementing the 5250 Bridge:

• Extend your existing applications using rich text, sounds, images, AJAX, mash-ups and other features only available to Web based applications
• Encapsulate 5250 programs as Web Services to grant access from any client without limitations
• Access a variety of i5/OS resources that do not currently have an interactive option
• Reduce network traffic by transferring only screen presentation data to the Web
  
• No display file source required – works on objects.
• No 5250 workload – Use batch processes for green screen programs instead of interactive processes.