• Internet / Security
• Internet - Dial-out Connection
• Internet - Using a Third-party Router
• IPDS Printing
• Configuration and Maintenance
• Compatibility Issues

How is host data protected when being sent through the Internet?

5250 traffic between "legacy" Twinax printers/terminals and the AS/400 is encrypted via industry-standard algorithms and flows from the controller (and back) via the Internet to the Java-based SECURIT-e ServerTM, located "near" the AS/400. Then the data is deciphered and sent to the AS/400.
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Do I need a firewall?

Exposing your entire network to the Internet can be dangerous, although having a firewall is not a mandatory requirement for our solution. We use ports, which are user-definable, and the data is encrypted. Most routers can be purchased with some kind of firewall software. This software can block in and out going TCP/IP ports. TCP/IP ports dictate which application will respond, i.e. Port 23 is Telnet, Browsers use port 80, etc. Therefore, any company that leaves port 23 open to the Internet can be hacked with ease. Encryption provides protection from Sniffers, i.e. it is impossible to monitor or listen to the information flow between terminals/printers and the AS/400.
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Which computer should be used for SECURIT-e Server?

The SECURIT-e Server is written in Java, so any computer which supports Java Virtual Machine v 1.1 or above may be used. BOS supplies software for installing the SECURIT-e Server on the AS/400 (OS/400 V4R2 or above) and Windows NT 4.0 or above. It is also possible to install the SECURIT-e Server on a LINUX-based computer - see the Support General Knowledge Base "Install SECURIT-e server on LINUX."
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Internet - Dial-out Connection

What is the performance like?

We tested a 56K dial-up connection with two active display users and six printers - all with 255 page reports printing. The result was an average of 12 pages per minute on the printers. Fixed connections are faster, although since 5250 displays do not use much bandwidth, when no one is pressing Enter or a function key there is no traffic! A good rule of thumb is that up to 10 users should be fine with dial-up. For more than 10 users, use ISDN, DSL, Frame Relay, Cable Modem or T1.
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What if connection to the Internet is lost?

The e-Twin@x Controller allows two concurrent connections to the Internet; if one fails the other takes over. The traffic is sent over both modems at the same time, whichever message reaches the server first will be used, the other discarded. Should one connection be lost, the controller will automatically try to re-establish connection using the failed modem. As the same information is transmitted over two separate links, the failure of one will go unnoticed by the user.
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Can the e-Twin@x Controller work as an Internet router when it has a dial-out connection to the ISP?

Yes. Basic Internet access may be shared by all PCs that are on the same IP LAN (Ethernet or Twinax) as the controller. This type of access allows Web browsing, Internet e-Mail support and other passive TCPIP applications (including emulation software such as BOS?NOVA TCP/IP, Jadvantage and AS4SAA clients).
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Internet - Using a Third-party Router

Can my Ethernet PCs run AS/400 software and access the Internet, NT etc?

Yes, the e-Twin@x Controller attaches via an Ethernet hub to the router. PC's can also connect to the same hub and are completely independent of the controller.
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Do my routers need to support SNA?

No, the e-Twin@x Controller does not use any special protocols aside from TCP/IP, and does not require special timing (as with Anynet). In basic terms, if you can run ping from a PC on the remote site to the AS/400, you can connect and run the e-Twin@x Controller.
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Will my Twinax-attached PCs be able to access e-Mail, Internet, etc.?

Yes, the e-Twin@x Controller supports the TCP/IP over Twinax protocol that enables you to run any TCP/IP application (such us Jadvantage, BOS?NOVA TCP/IP, Client Access Express) in addition to Internet browsing and e-Mail.
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IPDS Printing

Can I continue to use my Twinax IPDS printers?

Yes, the e-Twin@x Controller supports all IPDS printers. There is a restriction (which is due to the OS version) which requires V3R7 or above to use IPDS. It also requires that PSF/400 software be installed on the AS/400. In OS/400 V4R4 this software must be licensed. For more information, click here.
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Configuration and Maintenance

Do I need to define the e-Twin@x Controller on my AS/400?

No, all devices appear on the Ethernet or Token ring TCP/IP line. Most users can configure the controller (which in turn configures devices on the AS/400) and be working within 10 minutes.
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Can I continue to use my Twinax IPDS printers?

Yes, the e-Twin@x Controller supports all IPDS printers. There is a restriction (which is due to the OS version) which requires V3R7 or above to use IPDS. It also requires that PSF/400 software be installed on the AS/400. In OS/400 V4R4 this software must be licensed. For more information, click here.
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Can I maintain device names for displays and printers with this new controller?

Yes, the e-Twin@x Controller uses TN5250E, which allows each device to be specifically named.
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If there are several e-Twin@x Controllers connected to my AS/400, is it possible to check on the AS/400 status of the devices that are connected to one specific controller?

Yes, it's possible to define the specific name of the virtual controller that will be created on AS/400 for each e-Twin@x Controller, and all e-Twin@x Controller devices will be automatically configured "under" the specific relevant virtual controller.
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Do I have to install any software on my PC in order to configure and monitor the e-Twin@x Controller?

No, there is no need to install any software. As long as your PC (with Windows or MacOS or Linux OS) has an Internet Browser, configuration and monitoring of the e-Twin@x Controller and its devices may be done using the browser.
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What if I don't have any available PC to access the controller for configuration purposes?

It is possible to get access to the controller configuration and statuses from any Twinax-attached terminal (using special hot keys and the appropriate password).
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Do I have to update the e-Twin@x Controller hardware if I want to increase the number of supported devices?

Increasing of the quantity of the supported devices from 8 to 16, 28 or 56 requires only a software license modification, which can be ordered from BOS or your local distributor. This licensing update may be done using a browser (HTTP configurator) or even a Twinax-attached terminal (Twinax configurator). Upgrading to 112 devices requires installation of additional hardware, and may be done on-site.
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What is the difference between dial-in and dial-out connection in the dial up networking?

Dial-up networking is a component/feature that enables your computer to use your modem to attach to a network (LAN or Internet) remotely. For such purposes, the e-Twin@x Controller may function as RAS (Remote Access Server), allowing remote PC users to "dial-in" to the Controller and log-in to the LAN-connected e-Twin@x Controller. Another option is that Controller be attached to a modem to "dial-out" to the ISP and thus get connection to the Internet. In this case, the e-Twin@x Controller actually works as PC with modem(s) to access the Internet using (the same) dial-up networking.
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I have a PC on a remote site that is equipped with Client Access and a Twinax SNA Router, connected through my old SNA controller. How can I continue use Client Access, since the e-Twin@x Controller doesn't support SNA?

Install BOS?NOVA TCP/IP with TCP/IP over Twinax driver on your remote PCs. It will connect these PCs to the AS/400 via TCP/IP. Then you can use Client Access Express, which uses this TCP/IP connection to AS/400.
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What about warranty and support?

At present, if a Controller goes down we will advance replace the unit by Fed Ex P1 next day. We offer 24 hrs 7 days a week tech support. In the longer term we anticipate offering on-site support.
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Compatibility Issues

Does the e-Twin@x Controller support OfficeVision?

When IBM decided to discontinue support for OfficeVision in their remote controller a few years back, we at BOS decided to follow suit. As a result, our e-Twin@x Controller does not support OfficeVision. We do, however, have a number of suggestions for any customer who wants to work with this product:

1. Use BOSâNOVA TCP/IP, e-Twin@x version. This software installs on a PC connected to the Twinax network, and does support OfficeVision.
2. Use Advanced Server for SAA. The Advanced Server for SAA client, connected to the AS/400 via the Internet, supports OfficeVision. It is a very secure connectivity solution.
3. Purchase "DTM for AS/400e Servers", a tool from the developers of EverGreen software (Inventive Designers). More information about this product can be found on their Web site: www.inventivedesigners.com.