Platforms that Automation Point can connect with.

Products

• Automation Point

Issue/Introduction

 What platforms can Automation Point connect to, monitor, and/or automate?

Resolution

Automation Point can connect to a variety of mainframe, midrange, and microcomputer platforms. Console drivers have been provided for automating many types of consoles using Automation Point Rules. The mainframe console types that are supported include z/OS master consoles, Remote Console, SYSPLEX, JES3, VM, and VSE. Automation Point is capable of emulating a wide range of IBM terminals such as 3278, 3279, 3190, and supports models 2, 3, 4, and 5 terminals.

In addition, Automation Point Rules can be used to automate processor consoles during the IPL process on IBM, using the appropriate scan code files that are provided with the Automation Point software. REXX, along with an API supplied by the mainframe manufacturer, can be used to manage CMOS hardware processor consoles for IBM. Other mainframe sessions that Automation Point can connect to include TSO and VTAM sessions. Through use of the REXX programming language, information from these sessions can be monitored by Automation Point.

Other systems that Automation Point can connect to and monitor include Tandem, VAX, and RS6000 systems. REXX programs included with Automation Point can be used to connect to AS400 systems using TN5250 emulation running under Automation Point's embedded TN5250 connectivity.

UNIX platforms, including DEC, AIX, SCO, Sun, etc., can be monitored using the REXX language. Connections to these platforms can be made by using either telnet or RS232 connections. Different terminal emulations are supported, including DEC, VT52, VT100, VT320, as well as ASYNC. Automation Point can also connect to other asynchronous devices that are text based. Using Automation Point's built-in functions, you can send information to and receive it from the Unicenter TNG Event Manager console. Additionally, you can use Automation Point's Address TNG environment in conjunction with REXX programs to update events on the Unicenter TNG 2-D Map. Automation Point also has the ability to monitor Windows systems, application, and security logs on any Windows NT PC that is connected to the network.

Also, the functionality of Transport Layer Security (TLS) to connect to a host. TLS is a protocol for securing data transfer by applying cryptographic techniques for data authentication and encryption. Unicenter Automation Point installs and uses an internal product called Socket Adapter, an OpenSSL application, to implement support for TLS. Under Unicenter Automation Point, Socket Adapter is configured to use the Anonymous Diffie-Hellman (ADH) key exchange. The base Diffie-Hellman algorithm for key exchange is used without authenticating the remote TN3270 server. Therefore, certificates are not required to establish a secure connection. Data exchange is still encrypted according to cipher specifications negotiated between remote TN3270 server and Socket Adapter. Unicenter Automation Point desktop sessions with a connection type of TN3270E may be configured to run using TLS. To configure, use Configuration Manager to "Enable Secure Connection" when specifying connection settings for a TN3270E session definition. You may also configure your TN3270E session to "allow compromised protocols" such as SSLv3 or SSLv2, which are known to have been compromised. You should only select this option if your TN3270 server requires such protocols to successfully form a connection.