PC*MILER|AS/400 MVS User’s Guide 5
PC*MILER for the AS/400 works by connecting a 32-bit Windows PC to
your AS/400. The PC provides mileage lookups to the AS/400 via data
queues. Generally, there is one common input or request queue that all
users write to, with each user having their own output queue. The PC
listens to the input queue for mileage request packets. Within each
mileage request packet is the name of the user’s output queue. The PC
does a destructive read of the request packet, processes the request, and
writes to the specified user’s output queue.
Multiple PC*MILER versions are made available via a bundling of one or
more instances of PC*MILER|TCP/IP Connect (pcmsock.exe). AS/400
users communicate only with the PC mileage server (as400.exe). The PC
mileage server handles the communication with the various instances of
PC*MILER|TCP/IP Connect. These instances can be run on a single PC
or a group of PC’s.
PC*MILER for the AS/400 was developed using the data queue facilities
of Netmanage’s NS Router and IBM’s Client Access Express. You must
have one of these two connectivity products installed and properly
configured on the mileage server PC. ALK Technologies recommends
you use Client Access Express.
If you want to use NS Router, it is bundled in many releases of Client
Access, or it can be purchased directly from Netmanage at
www.netmanage.com or 408-973-7171. The NS Router is no longer
being produced as a separate package, but is being sold under
Netmanage’s Legacy Program. Netmanage provides limited support for
their Legacy products. The NS Router is bundled in several Netmanage
packages. For your PC*MILER for the AS/400 installation, you need only
the NS Router. The NS Router must be configured to use the Anynet or
Twinax protocols. Connecting via Anynet requires the creation of an
Anynet Controller on the AS/400.
If you are using NS Router, you need the NS Router 3.0 or higher for
PC*MILER AS/400 Version 17. Client Access 3.2 has the 3.0 Router
bundled with it. Do not patch your router without talking to ALK first.
The PC*MILER for the AS/400 system was developed on a non-
patched Router, and installing any patch may cause unpredictable
behavior.