Virtel is a versatile host-based protocol converter between the mainframe and the web

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Virtel runs on the host under z/VSE or z/OS as a started task (optionally in batch) in a partition next to the application (CICS, IMS, Natural, TSO, Ideal, etc) that it web-enables.

At the core of Virtel is a dynamic protocol converter between 3270 applications and the web, which uses:

• A VTAM relay to interface with 3270 applications
• An IP server to interface with the web
• An integrated XML parser

… to dynamically converts 3270 data streams into:

• XML/HTML web services
• HTML/JavaScript web pages

Virtel runtime is developed in Assembler to maximize performances and minimize MIPS consumption.

Unlike most connectors on the market, Virtel doesn't use Java or C++ because those languages run slower and consume more MIPS than Assembler on IBM z series hosts.

Virtel exchanges 3270 data streams with the host applications (CICS, IMS, TSO, Natural, etc) through a pool of VTAM Logical Units (LU 6.2).

A native VTAM relay integrated to Virtel handles the connection with VTAM in synchronous connected mode: the communication mode of the mainframe.

From VTAM (and from the 3270 applications) Virtel looks and behaves like a regular 3270 terminal.

Virtel supports data exchanges with 3270 applications through maps, structure fields, or COMMAREA.

This provides valuable flexibility when the legacy screen-based presentation layer is eliminated while the underlying business logic is retained.

An integrated HTTP, HTTP/S, SMTP or custom IP server handles the TCP/IP connection with the web, which is in asynchronous disconnected mode: the communication mode of the web.

Virtel doesn't use any middleware, middle-tier server, or client software/API.

3270 data streams can be served as:

• XML/HTML web services to applications running outside the host
• HTML/JavaScript web pages to thin-client web browsers

Installation options (together with REXX-like scenarios and scripts, and HTML/JavaScript presentation templates) allow configuring Virtel to serve diverse web-enablement needs from 3270 emulation replacement to the development of modern GUIs and web services.

Presentation templates coded in HTML and JavaScript guide the generation of web pages and services at runtime:

• HTML/JavaScript code defines the layout and format of the web pages and services
• Virtel tags guide the insertion of 3270 data into the web pages and services
• JavaScript widgets from Open Source libraries (Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Dojo, JQuery, etc) add GUI features such as dropdown lists and graphical calendars to the web pages
• Ajax code creates new functionality by combining components of the web-enabled application with other application components

REXX-like scenarios and scripts guide the host-to-web transformation process at runtime to:

• Identify web client types (PC, smartphone, PDA, tablet, etc) to serve device-specific web pages
• Analyze incoming calls to activate appropriate host transactions
• Skip over useless screens to reach useful screens faster
• Consolidate multiple screens into a single web page or service
• Select presentation templates to generate layout and format of requested web pages or services
• Call Virtel’s PDF document generator
• Call VIRSV (Virtel Services) to start an asynchronous task on main or specialty (zIIP) processor
• Call custom-developed LE-compatible (COBOL, etc) program

At logon, Virtel:

• Collects userids and passwords from a logon menu
• Passes them to RACF, ACF2, or TSS for authentication before authorizing access to the host
• Serves dynamically-built welcome menus that list only the authorized applications

Combined with the multi-window capability of web browsers, this provides a simple session manager functionality.

Virtel Screen-Redesigner is a PC-based development tool to generate Virtel presentation templates from maps (BMS, MFS) or live screen shots (Natural, Ideal, etc).

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