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  • 1.  Connecting to AS400

    Posted 05/09/22 09:15 AM
    Hello devs,
    I will be using AS400 for the first time. But before getting into the project, I want to understand how I can connect to the iseries.
    I referred to few of the articles there I leant about the itoolkit which we can use to establish a connection and executing the programs.
    So, could you please tell me whether itoolkit would for automation purpose or is there any alternate/easy way to communicate with iseries from local host.

    Your help will be really appreciated.
    Thanks.

    ------------------------------
    Saloni Choudhary
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Connecting to AS400

    Posted 05/09/22 11:53 AM
    When you say connecting
    Do you mean for terminal emulation (5250), or server to server comm?






  • 3.  RE: Connecting to AS400

    Posted 05/10/22 11:00 AM
    Edited by System Admin 07/21/22 11:16 AM
    Hi Tom,

    I want to have terminal emulation. I will explain you my requirements:-
    Basically I have to compare the data from the excel sheet with the data stored in the DB through screen scraping and my automation tool will be taking the screenshots of the activity which it will be performing. So, in short I want to perform the GUI automation & need to store those screenshots in some folder and send it in a mail to the outlook. My priority is to use python for it, but I don't have any idea how to do it.

    It would be really great if you could tell me how to do it.

    Thanks

    ------------------------------
    Saloni Choudhary
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Connecting to AS400

    Posted 07/15/26 07:19 AM
    Edited by Marius le Roux 07/15/26 07:59 AM

    Hi Saloni, 

    Welcome to the "IBM i" world, AS400. It's an outdated term for what we now call an actual modern platform :). 

    (yes, google still indexes it quite difficultly, so AS/400 , AS400 and iSeries are still valid search terms to use for the deep internet). 

    For your use case, which I am assuming (please , you are welcome to correct me if I am wrong), is quite simple from my understanding of what you are explaining: 

    1. You would like to show the green screen 5250 screens, take data off those screens and enter it into a python program for futher processing  , correct ?
    2. These screens are most likely old screens that require some sort of sequence to navigate , but the data is valuable none the least of what you are trying to capture? 

    If that is the case, have a look at this repository: 

    • https://github.com/simonfaltum/p5250

    and this thread on Reddit:

    • https://www.reddit.com/r/IBMi/comments/1qnhu75/automation_via_tn5250_data_stream/

    (Disclaimer : SCAN and make sure your security posture is ALWAYS good for ANYTHING you are downloading of the internet, even something as simple as Python). 

    As others recommended, on IBM Access Client Solutions, if you do get into the thing called "Personal Communications EHLLAPI Bridge" you will need to also install on Windows a EHLLAPI DDL to interface that emulator programmatically. Herein lies a great challenge to make that work in a specific way. If you do happen to come across that though, you will need to navigate those screens with HAScripts in a Java-type environment. Following my own experience here, I have suggested commercial products that will greatly assist in easing this burden. 

    Here are a few references for what I am mentioning here:

    I can recommend a few if you need others than what Tom already mentioned in this thread.

    (Just message me privately, and I will assist you in that regard). 

    Marius



    ------------------------------
    Marius le Roux theIBMiGuy
    Owner , IBM i Modernization and Integration Consultant
    MLR Consulting
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Connecting to AS400

    Posted 07/15/26 09:15 AM

    There's also a company called Nutech which sells a product for this.  We use them for a scanner interface into our ERP package.  https://www.nutechsystems.com/

    It can be quite onerous to determine what files are open and updated by a set of screens.  For example, while doing the data entry, using a Sys-Req, 3 (display job), 14 (Open files) and you'll get a screen like this:



    ------------------------------
    Robert Berendt IBMChampion
    Business Systems Analyst, Lead
    Dekko
    Fort Wayne
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Connecting to AS400

    Posted 07/13/26 04:03 AM
    Edited by Alice Gray 07/16/26 02:35 AM

    When connecting to an AS400 system, the first step is to verify the network connection, server name/IP, and that the required host servers are active. Also confirm that your user profile has the necessary authority and that the client software (such as IBM i Access Client Solutions or ODBC/JDBC drivers) is configured correctly. Firewall rules and port settings can also prevent successful connections. If the issue persists, reviewing the job logs and system logs usually provides useful error details. Many organizations also rely on IBI I Modernization Services to troubleshoot complex connectivity issues, optimize configurations, and ensure secure, reliable access across environments.

    Thanks
    ------------------------------
    Alice Gray
    ------------------------------



    ------------------------------
    Alice Gray
    Damco Solutions
    Plainsboro, NJ
    06096320350
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: Connecting to AS400

    Posted 07/14/26 02:58 AM
    Edited by Anas AlSaleh 07/14/26 03:00 AM

    Hi,

    I'm not an IBM i expert, but based on my experience, I always recommend referring to the official IBM documentation for the most accurate and up-to-date guidance.

    To get started, install IBM i Access Client Solutions (ACS) on your Windows, Linux, or macOS system. ACS provides a 5250 terminal emulator, allowing you to connect to IBM i and work with the traditional command interface. It also includes utilities for data transfer and other system access functions.

    Typically, you'll need:

    • IBM i hostname or IP address
    • IBM i user profile and password

    For more information, refer to the official IBM documentation:

    I hope this helps point you in the right direction.

    Thanks



    ------------------------------
    Anas AlSaleh
    IBM Power Systems Software Specialist
    Saudi Business Machines ( SBM )
    Riyadh
    ------------------------------



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