Chapter 9
Using IBM Host On-Demand

Netscape IBM Host On-Demand provides easy access to information and resources stored on an IBM 3270 host computer from within your Netscape Navigator browser. You use Host On-Demand to connect to a remote host computer so you can run software programs and access databases and public catalogs.

Note IBM Host On-Demand is only available with Communicator Professional Edition.

IBM Host On-Demand lets you:

launch a 3270 host session from within your Navigator browser window or in a new session window

create and switch between two simultaneous sessions with up to two host computers

work in a full-screen 3270 host emulation window

use mapped 3270 keyboard function keys

resize the session window and have fonts dynamically adjust to be proportional to the window

See Host-On Demand's online help for complete information.

Creating a new connection

To establish a new connection to a remote host computer, you can use the preset (default) Host On-Demand settings, or you can change the settings if necessary.

(Windows and Macintosh) From the Communicator menu, choose IBM Host On-Demand to display the connection settings page. (Unix) In Navigator's Location field, type the full pathname to access the IBM Host On-Demand connection settings page. For example, /home/user/ 3270/he3270en.htm.

For the setting labeled "Open separate window," click Yes to create the host connection in a separate (non-Navigator) window. Click No to create the session within your Navigator browser window. If you only plan to establish one session with a remote host, it's best to click No so that the session window appears within your Navigator browser window. (The session window replaces the connection settings page.)

If you want to establish two sessions, you must click Yes so that the first session appears in a separate window. See "Establishing a second session" for information on establishing another session and switching between sessions.

Verify that the address and port number listed in the TN3270E server and TN3270E server port fields are the correct settings for the remote host computer that you want to connect to. Check with your network administrator if you are not sure of the correct server address and port number. If necessary, type the correct settings for the server address and port number.

Click Connect to Host.

If necessary, log into the host computer to begin your Host On-Demand session.

Establishing a second session

After you've established your first connection with a remote host, you can create a second session with the same remote host, or establish a new connection to another remote host.

To create a second session, you must have created your first session in a separate session window instead of from within your Navigator browser window.

Creating a second session with the same remote host

To create a second session that's connected to the same remote host, click Copy Session in the first session window.

Creating a second session with a new remote host

Follow these steps to create a second session that's connected to a new remote host:

Switch to the Navigator browser's Host On-Demand connection settings page. (This is the same page where you established your first connection.)

Enter the settings for the new connection.

Click Connect to Host.

If necessary, log into the host computer to begin your Host On-Demand session.

Switching between sessions

In a session window, click Next Session, or, if the session is running within your Navigator browser window, click the Host On-Demand browser window.

Tip If both sessions are running in separate session windows, your Navigator browser Host On-Demand window lists the active connections. Click an active connection to switch to that connection's session window.

Ending a session

If the session is running in your Navigator browser, click Exit.

If the session is running in a separate session window, choose Exit from the Session menu.