Connectivity; Security - IBM i series Handbook

Connectivity

The Express client supports TCP/IP connectivity and uses the standard TCP/IP program
shipped with the Microsoft 32-bit operating systems (other Winsock-compatible stacks can
also be used). Communications program improvements (significant streamlining and more
efficient use of buffers) result in increased stability and better performance. Additionally, the
Express client provides:
• Easier communications setup since configuration of your communications link is no
longer required. Simply select the Express client application you want to run and then
enter the iSeries server name you want to connect to and your user ID and password.
The Express client then initiates a TCP/IP session, and the application is connected to
the system.
• Multiple user ID support using a single copy of Client Access. This is valuable when
using the Windows NT 4.0 server in a multiuser environment, where each is using a
different application.
• The following environments, which do not actually need Client Access installed on the
user desktop, are also supported:
– Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Server Edition (TSE) : This environment enables
the Windows NT server to be used as a gateway between end users and the system.
This capability is particularly advantageous to Network Station users who want to use
Client Access functions such as PC5250 and ODBC. For detailed information on
environments and functions supported, refer to Information APAR II11373 on the
Client Access Web page.
– Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Server with Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) and
Microsoft NT 4.0 Workstation with a version of IIS called Peer Web Services : This
support provides iSeries database access from Web pages. Refer to "Web Publishing
with the Client Access ODBC Driver and IIS" in the Developers Corner of the Client
Access Web page for examples on how to access an iSeries database using the
Internet Data Connection (IDC) component of IIS or by using Active Server Pages
(ASP) scripts.

Security

The iSeries servers are designed to protect their resources and data by requiring users to
provide a valid user ID and password. The Express client uses TCP/IP Secure Sockets Layer
(SSL) Version 3.0 to encrypt information sent between the system and the desktop. It also
uses iSeries Server Authentication to assure connection to the intended iSeries server,
therefore, diminishing the risk of unauthorized access in an Internet environment. SSL
encrypts the user ID and password plus any other information sent between the iSeries
desktop. The Express client offers the flexibility to choose what is encrypted. For example,
you may want to encrypt data transmitted via Data Transfer but find it unnecessary to encrypt
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