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Open access to Unisys Data

       Questions and Answers

1.      Can Internet users access my mainframe legacy data?

2.      How can I ensure my mainframe data is safe and secure?

3.      Can you assist in determining if legacy data access will work for us?

4.      What are the hardware & software requirements to run InterPlex SQL?

5.      What type of hardware & software is required to run the InterPlex Enterprise Gateways? 

6.      What “Data Servers” are supported?

7.      How can my mainframe applications access foreign databases in my LAN or WAN?

8.      Which InterPlex components do I need for my environment? 

9.      What Unisys data sources are supported in InterPlex SQL?

10.  Will I need McConnell & Associates to install my InterPlex Product?

11.  What about support and training?

1. Can Internet users access my mainframe legacy data?

Yes.  InterPlex supports Web enablement of your Unisys data sources.  Implementing one of our partners’ data servers or using our InterPlex ODBC or new JDBC driver supports access via an Internet browser. In fact, your company’s mainframe data can be available to Internet users quickly, efficiently, and securely using InterPlex.  Whether for a Web applications for an e-Business solution or ad hoc query capabilities for corporate management and analysts, InterPlex supports all of your accesses quickly and without mainframe programming. 

2. How can I ensure my mainframe data is safe and secure?

InterPlex SQL builds internal tables that control DMS and other Unisys ClearPath IX/2200 data store accesses.  Multiple levels of mainframe security are provided including User Identification, Application Groups, Data Access Groups, and record and data field availability.  To insure data integrity, InterPlex SQL processes all queries through the Unisys Database Executive (DMR).  There are also options to allow/disallow insert, update, and delete capabilities to any InterPlex SQL table.

3. Can you assist in determining if legacy data access will work for us?

Our technical staff at McConnell & Associates is all senior level software engineers who are proficient in the Unisys mainframe environment, communications, transaction processing and database products.  We can come into your company and assist management in determining if InterPlex is a viable fit for your business, which gateway servers to use, various difficulty factors, and Web enablement decisions.

4. What are the hardware & software requirements to run InterPlex SQL?

This product will run on the older Unisys 2200s or the newest Unisys ClearPath mainframe hardware.  As for disk space, approximately 23,000 tracks (150MB) are required to use InterPlex SQL effectively.  Of this amount approximately 15,000 tracks are used for the InterPlex SQL Internal Data Base and 7,500 tracks are used for InterPlex Support files (Program and Run files).

 InterPlex SQL is operational under level 37 or greater of the EXEC and can be installed on the latest IX version of the ClearPath operating system.  McConnell & Associates will endeavor to provide operation under earlier versions, if the Customer so requires.  Next are the minimum requirements to run InterPlex SQL.

 GENERAL SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS 

5. What type of hardware & software is required to run the InterPlex Enterprise Gateways?

InterPlex gateways are operational on many different hardware platforms, from Intel based computers to SUN, HP, and Compaq servers.  Virtually any Microsoft or UNIX platform is supported when using the InterPlex Enterprise gateways.

 All of the current Microsoft operating systems are supported; Windows 98, NT, 2000 client and servers.  The UNIX operating systems supported are based on the data server in selected.  Most of the popular UNIX systems are fully supported.  Please contact us for specifics.

 6. What “Data Servers” are supported?

Data Servers is a generic term for any tool or set of processes that run on a computer remote to the Unisys ClearPath IX or 2200 mainframe.  Data Servers can run on SUN, HP, Compaq, Intel, and other vender’s hardware including the Intel portion of the Unisys mainframe that runs Microsoft or UNIX systems.  The currently supported data servers are Iway EDA server, Oracle Servers, Enterworks’ product suite among others.  Our ODBC and JDBC drivers enable many other “Data Servers” such as MS Access, MS Query, and Excel.  For more information please contact us.

 7. How can my mainframe applications access foreign databases in my LAN or WAN?

InterPlex Remote Access Module (InterPlex RAM) is a set of processes and objects used to access remote network databases.  It is employed in your application programs as calls to functions such as logon, parse, and fetch.  There are three components included in the InterPlex RAM product.  The first is the application program “calls” object library.  The second is a mainframe server program, which handles all of the communication protocols between the Unisys application program and the network database.  There is no need for any network programming on the Unisys mainframe or coding on the remote computer. Last, there is a “Driver Manager” module that resides on a network computer and invokes the targeted database and processes each “Call” from the requesting mainframe process.  All requests are translated into the local database’s native language and then performed.  For a detailed discussion, contact us today.

 8. Which InterPlex components do I need for my environment?

InterPlex SQL is the core component for the entire InterPlex product suite with the exception of the InterPlex PC, which is a stand-alone native UTS terminal emulator.  InterPlex SQL is the only product that is installed on the Unisys mainframe and manages access to the DMS databases and data files.  The other component(s) needed is determined by what type of hardware/software is in place and what type of solution your company is trying to achieve.  For instance, if your network were full of Oracle servers you would want the InterPlex Oracle gateway.  But if you had many differing databases within your network, the iWay EDA server would be your best bet.  And finally, if you simply wanted to supply access to your Unisys information via an Internet Browser, then the InterPlex ODBC or JDBC would be the product of choice.

 9. What Unisys data sources are supported in InterPlex SQL?

The data sources supported for inclusion into the InterPlex SQL server are all DMS databases; PCIOS files (these are files created by common programming languages), TIP files, and coming soon will be RDMS databases.  Mapper access is another data source being analyzed for addition into InterPlex SQL.  Please contact us for a current update on specific data source availability. 

10. Will I need McConnell & Associates to install my InterPlex Product?

 We supply installation services for all of our InterPlex products at the time of purchase.  Normally, the only product that requires us to install on your computer is the InterPlex SQL and InterPlex RAM products, which are loaded onto your Unisys ClearPath IX or 2200 mainframe.  The customer on the various networked computers can install the remaining InterPlex products.

11. What about support and training?

McConnell & Associates supply maintenance agreements with all of our InterPlex products.  There is also an option to purchase extended maintenance on any or all of the products.  The extended agreement not only covers questions and bug fixes but also entitles you to upgrades and new releases, as they are available.  We also offer training on all of the InterPlex products from an informal environment to a classroom like sessions. 

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