Using VT100 Emulation to Access a IBM Mainframe via a 3708 Protocol Conv. I. Introduction For people who don't have access to a coaxially connected IBM mainframe terminal, an IBM compatible PC with a modem and the Packet/PC software program makes an excellent substitute for an IBM terminal. However, Packet/PC only works with IBM compatible PCs. For non-IBM personal computers and IBM compatible computers without Packet/PC, VT100 terminal emulation is a good alternative. To use modem dial-up to the mainframe, you must have special authorization to access the IBM computer through a modem. Contact your RACF Administrator to have them send in a request form for you. II. Set-up Several parameters must be properly set in order to communicate with the IBM mainframe. All ASCII terminals and terminal emulation programs can change these parameters. Baud Rate: 1200 or 2400 It depends on the speed of the modem you are using. Duplex: Full Parity: Even Data Bits: 7 Stop Bits: 1 III. Logon Procedure 1. Start your equipment and software. 2. Make the connection between your equipment and the IBM mainframe. The process to do this is dependent upon your equipment and software. The instruction manual for your software and modem should explain this process. 3. After the modem has made connection, you must hit RETURN once. The screen will print a header followed by a prompt line: ======IBM 3708===EC A58809======RID 3708-001 88-0008771========PORT 03====== C2: Type the number of your terminal: ===> __ 4. The number to type is 5 and press RETURN, for VT100 emulation. Another prompt line appears: ======IBM 3708===EC A58809======RID 3708-001 88-0008771========PORT 03====== C2: Type the number of your terminal: ===> 5_ ==> _________ 5. This is the place to type CICS, MAIL, TSO2,or any other application name; and press RETURN. ======IBM 3708===EC A58809======RID 3708-001 88-0008771========PORT 03====== C2: Type the number of your terminal: ===> 5___ ==> SCICS____ 6. The signon screen for that application will appear. Sign on to this application just like you would on a regular IBM terminal. 7. The application will appear. Only applications and functions in Mod 2 format work in VT100 emulation. 8. From now on, the PC will emulate an IBM terminal. Use the keyboard conversion chart to locate the keys on your PC that perform the IBM terminal functions. 9. To log-off, exit from the application in the ususal manner and hang-up the modem phone line on your computer. IV. Troubleshooting Procedures If your keyboard appears to be locked, hit CTRL-R (Push down and hold the CTRL key and push the R key). This will send a reset signal to the mainframe. The modems attached to the mainframe have been instructed to hang up after 5 minutes of inactivity. This may cause some inconvenience, but it was done to free up the dial-up ports as soon as possible when they are finished being used. Remember to save any work if you are called away from your terminal. THE VT100 EMULATION TO IBM MAINFRAME KEY CONVERSION CHART To perform this function: Type: --------------------------------------- ATTN-------------CTRL A BACKTAB----------BACKSPACE OR ESC TAB CLEAR------------CTRL C CURSOR SELECT----ESC k DELETE-----------DELETE DEV CNCL---------CTRL X DOWN ARROW-------"THE DOWN ARROW" DUP--------------CTRL D ENTER------------RETURN OR NUMERIC ENTER ERASE EOF--------CTRL E ERASE INPUT------ESC f FIELD MARK-------CTRL F HOME-------------ESC H IDENT------------ESC z INSERT MODE------ESC DELETE LEFT ARROW-------"THE LEFT ARROW" NEW LINE---------LINE FEED NULL/BLANK-------ESC n PA1--------------ESC , PA2--------------ESC . PA3--------------ESC / PF1--------------NUMERIC 1 or ESC 1 PF2--------------NUMERIC 2 or ESC 2 PF3--------------NUMERIC 3 OR ESC 3 PF4--------------NUMERIC 4 OR ESC 4 PF5--------------NUMERIC 5 OR ESC 5 PF6--------------NUMERIC 6 OR ESC 6 PF7--------------NUMERIC 7 OR ESC 7 PF8--------------NUMERIC 8 OR ESC 8 PF9--------------NUMERIC 9 OR ESC 9 PF10-------------PF1 OR ESC 0 PF11-------------PF2 OR ESC - PF12-------------PF3 OR ESC = PF13-------------ESC ! PF14-------------ESC @ PF15-------------ESC # PF16-------------ESC $ PF17-------------ESC % PF18-------------ESC ^ PF19-------------ESC & PF20-------------ESC * PF21-------------ESC ( PF22-------------ESC ) PF23-------------ESC _ PF24-------------ESC + PRINT------------CTRL P REFRESH----------CTRL U RESET------------CTRL R RESUME DISPLAY---CTRL Y RESUME PRINTER---CTRL p RIGHT ARROW------"THE RIGHT ARROW" STATUS ON/OFF----CTRL W SUSPEND DISPLAY--CTRL T SUSPEND PRINTER--CTRL o SYS REQ----------ESC S TAB--------------TAB TYPE AHEAD-------ESC a UP ARROW---------"THE UP ARROW" For key sequences that begin with ESC, press and release ESC and then press the other key. For key sequences that begin with CTRL, press and hold CTRL while pressing the other key. For key sequences that contain NUMERIC, press the appropriate key on the numeric key pad.