If you’re a user of IBM Connect:Direct you know you can count on it for high-volume, secure, reliable delivery of files between systems. You also know that while it supports a broad set of platforms including – Windows, Unix, Linux and z/OS – it hasn’t been as easy to interact within a mixed environment as you might like.
Connect:Direct V6.0 changes this and more, to bring more value to your organization. I want to make sure you know about the key enhancements in this major, new release so that you can take advantage of them and get the most from your investment in Connect:Direct.
Key Capabilities of IBM Connect:Direct V6.0 and Why They Matter
Here are some of the highlights in V6.0 that will make your life easier as an experienced user and help new users as well.
Modern web console simplifies interaction across platforms. Connect:Direct is often deployed in a mixed environment. In V6.0 we’ve improved interaction for system administrators with a new, modern web console across Windows, Unix and Linux, with expanded support for z/OS planned for the future. This makes it much simpler to manage Connect:Direct nodes in your business network. Regardless of the operating system you are using or what action you are trying to take, the common graphical interface will make your experience extremely similar as you move from platform to platform.
Intuitive UI enables business users. The web console also makes it easier for less technical users to interact with Connect:Direct. The intuitive UI allows business users to transfer files, check on file transfer status and run diagnostics themselves. They won’t have to rely on you or IT support for basic day-to-day requests, freeing you up for higher-value tasks. V6.0 is designed for easy, self-navigation, but guided help is also available.
Building a transfer is as easy as pointing and clicking in the new Connect:Direct Web Console.
Partner Details Cards accelerate onboarding. Reduce the time it takes to onboard new trading partners from hours or days to minutes by eliminating the back and forth exchanging technical information over emails and phone calls. New Partner Details Cards simplify, speed and fully automate the process through the web console. As a Connect:Direct administrator, you can automatically export all the information the trading partner needs to establish communications via an encrypted file sent over email. Once you call the trading partner and provide the pass phrase for the file, they can automatically import the information and the onboarding process is complete.
RESTful API support simplifies integration. We have expanded our RESTful API support from Unix to include Windows, Linux and z/OS. RESTful APIs support common administration tasks like node management, triggering file transmissions and checking file transmission status. Here are two common use cases.
Use case #1:
If you have a custom-built, central management interface to bring different systems together in your environment, the ability to manage and make changes to applications can still be time consuming. For example, your security group may need to verify each system to ensure strong encryption cyphers are being used. Instead of doing this manually, you can use RESTful APIs to verify configurations and make changes programmatically.
Use case #2:
Offloading managed file transfer activities when a system can’t handle the load adds a layer of complexity for users. Typically, users are bounced around from system to system and may have to FTP a file or log into a file sharing system and upload the file. Using RESTful APIs you can automatically offload the file to Connect:Direct so that it is seamless to the user – eliminating the complexity and streamlining their experience.
Ease of installation and security. For Windows and Unix, we have moved from a 32- to a 64-bit architecture which makes the installation experience easier. We have also consolidated the Secure+ Admin Tool functionality into the new web console, making it easier to create and maintain encryption settings for node connections.
z/OS enhancements. While the new web console and Partner Details Cards are not available for z/OS as part of V6.0, support for both is planned in the future. In the meantime, enhancements to z/OS within V6.0, in addition to RESTful API support, include:
- Easier management and maintenance: For example, you can now search log files in a more granular way. Instead of having to dig through when looking for one specific entry you can search more accurately, narrowing down to 10 lines of code to look at versus parsing through 100s.
- Simplified security: You have the option to use a default security certificate that z/OS maintains rather than having to use a certificate specifically for Connect:Direct. This makes it easier and quicker to deploy encryption and decryption and ensures consistency across your broader z/OS configurations.
How to Get Started
If you are current on Service & Support you can download the new Connect:Direct 6.0 for Windows, Unix or Linux through Passport Advantage. For z/OS visit shopZ. Installation upgrade guides are available on the Knowledge Center for Unix, Windows and z/OS.
If you are new to Connect:Direct contact your IBM sales rep or business partner and they will help you get started.
Check out the Software Product Compatibility Reports (SPCR) Tool to ensure compatibility with Connect:Direct V6.0. This is a quick way to check the prerequisites and operating system certifications.
If you have questions about Connect:Direct V6.0 please post them in the discussion forums.
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