23
Sat, Nov
1 New Articles

Go Mobile with IBM i Access for Web

Development Tools / Utilities
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

IBM i Access for Web is the newest weapon in the IBM i admin's mobile arsenal.

I've been a fan of IBM i Access for Web for a long time. About five years ago, my company started giving tablets to our sales team in the field, and IBM i Access for Web quickly became an invaluable tool for securely accessing green-screen applications.

It was a first for us in terms of stepping into the mobile world outside of email. While not exactly the most elegant experience because of the reduced tablet screen size, it functioned well and our users loved it. It worked pretty well on a tablet, but forget about using it on a phone.

In the second half of 2012, I wrote two TechTips (1 and 2) about IBM i Access for Web. Those two articles have been read a combined 15,000 times and are ranked five and six on my most-read articles in the last three years and in the top 10 overall. Clearly, people wanted to start working with IBM i Access for Web.

But it never had a truly mobile-friendly option...until now.

IBM announced this feature about a year ago as part of IBM i 7.1 Technology Refresh 10 and 7.2 Technology Refresh 2. Sadly, I think it got buried a little, with news about Java 8, Python, JSON, and native flash storage being the headline grabbers. But for me, making the IBM i administrator mobile is the hidden gem in that announcement.

How do you get it?

Good news for you! It's at no cost to the customer as it's covered under the IBM i Access Family licensing. This is just one of those things that your software maintenance pays for.

You need to download the IBM i 7.2 version of IBM i Access for Web (5770-XH2) from the IBM Entitled Software Support (ESS) website. That's right...make sure you grab the 7.2 version. Don't be alarmed; the 7.2 version will work fine on 7.2, 7.1, or 6.1. Since the ESS website is about as user-friendly as Passport Advantage, I'll walk you through the steps of downloading it.

On the ESS website, click on My Entitled Software and then Software Downloads. For operating system, select IBM I, and for version, select V7R2. Now, it asks you to select the software you wish to download. Put a check in the box next to 5770-XW1 IBM i Access Family and hit the Continue button. Choose your language on the next screen and hit Continue again.

On the next screen, you'll have to hit the hide/show link a couple of times to expand all options. Then you can download the IBM i Access for Web product by clicking the checkbox next to the option that's 112 MB. Unfortunately, the name is so long that the name IBM i Access for Web doesn't show up on the screen. You have to put your mouse over it to get the tooltip text.

Once you've downloaded via Download Director or HTTP, you'll have a zip file called 5770_XH2_IBM_i_720_GROUP1_Access_for_Web_LCD8_2164_00.zip. Unzip the file and you'll have a file called 5770_XH2_IBM_i_720_GROUP1_Access_for_Web_LCD8_2164_00.udf. For ease of operation and for this example, I've renamed my file 5770_XH2.udf.

Next, you'll need to install the product on top of the current 5770-XH2 install. You'll need to FTP the 5770_XH2.udf file to the Integrated File System (IFS) of your IBM i partition. I just put mine on the root since it's only going to be there for a few minutes.

I have an image catalog ready to go for installing software. If you don't have an image catalog, here are the instructions on how to set one up:

CRTIMGCLG IMGCLG(SWLOADER) DIR('/SWLOADER') CRTDIR(*YES)

Now, you need to add the udf file to the image catalog as an image catalog entry.

ADDIMGCLGE IMGCLG(SWLOADER) FROMFILE('/5770_XH2.udf')

Next step would be to load your image catalog with your virtual optical device. If you don't have one, you can create one easily with the following statement:

CRTDEVOPT DEVD(OPTVRT01) RSRCNAME(*VRT) ONLINE(*YES)

Now, load the image catalog to the virtual optical device.

LODIMGCLG IMGCLG(SWLOADER) DEV(OPTVRT01)

Now, you just need to install the product. I would stop the *ADMIN HTTP server before doing this next step.

RSTLICPGM LICPGM(5770XH2) DEV(OPTVRT01)

Now that the program has been restored, you need to download and apply PTF SI56123.

SNDPTFORD PTFID((SI56123))

LODPTF LICPGM(5770XH2) SELECT(SI56123)

APYPTF LICPGM(5770XH2) SELECT(SI56123)

Also, you need to be at the following IBM HTTP Group PTF levels:

7.2SF99713 (level 1 or later) 

7.1SF99368 (level 27 or later)

6.1SF99115 (level 38 or later)

Almost done!

The next step is to run the following command, which will configure the mobile interface for IBM i Access for Web:

CFGACCWEB APPSVRTYPE(*INTAPPSVR) INSTANCE(*MOBILE)

The command will open up a shell window and will display status or any errors during the configuration. Ideally, you'll get a successful completion message and you just press Enter to continue.

At this point, you'll need to start your *ADMIN HTTP server again.

STRTCPSVR SERVER(*HTTP) HTTPSVR(*ADMIN)

Now you'll be able to access the mobile interface for IBM i Access for Web via a web browser on the following address: http://yoursystem.yourdomain.com:2001/iamobile.

Of course, you'll need to have access to the same network that your IBM i is on by way of WiFi, VPN, or NAT rule through your firewall. Do yourself a favor and bookmark the address in Safari or whatever mobile web browser you use.

So what does it look like?

Here are screen shots from my phone of me accessing an IBM i partition. You'll notice it renders much nicer than the standard IBM i Access for Web interface.

021016PitcherFigure1

 

Figure 1: As you can see, the main menu looks like a proper mobile interface. It's responsive in that it will adjust properly to the screen size, whether it's a 24-inch monitor or a tablet or a phone.

 

021016PitcherFigure2

 

Figure 2: Working with active jobs is easier than expected. Take note of the handy filter field on the top right corner and the action link on the right side of every job. The action link gives you the ability to hold or end the job, view the job log or spooled files, plus view the job's properties.

 

021016PitcherFigure3

 

Figure 3: Need to view the contents of a DB2 table? Need to edit a file quickly? Add a record? You can!

 

021016PitcherFigure4

Figure 4: While I was taking screen shots for this article, I also checked out the IFS. I found the 5770-XH2 UDF file that I transferred to my system. From here, I was able to delete that IFS file. That's pretty slick.

 

021016PitcherFigure5

 

Figure 5: Of course, the real bread and butter: the 5250 session. You have the ability to log into a 5250 session just like in the standard IBM i Access for Web. I wouldn't expect you to key purchase orders, but it just might save you in a pinch.

 

021016PitcherFigure6

 

Figure 6: Again, another must-have feature. Having this feature in a mobile-friendly format gives you the ability to answer operator messages on the side of the highway when you don't have your laptop with you.

Are there other products out there that give you a better IBM i admin toolkit on your phone? To be honest, yes. There are a few ISV solutions that are really awesome and feature-rich. Are there better free solutions? Absolutely not.

IBM i Access for Web gives every administrator the ability to use their smartphone to jump on their systems and do the kind of rudimentary work that keeps the business going. This is what this tool is made for, in my humble opinion. I'm stuck in traffic and need to end a job that's killing the system? I've got a mobile interface. I'm on the morning train? I've got a mobile interface. I'm out for lunch? I've got a mobile interface.

Every IBM i administrator has now been empowered to pivot and execute on the fly.

Steve Pitcher
Steve Pitcher works with iTech Solutions, an IBM Premier Business Partner. He is a specialist in IBM i and IBM Power Systems solutions since 2001. Feel free to contact him directly This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: