Apache Tomcat Web Server Deployment for PASSPORT Web Based Terminal Emulator.

Zephyr's PASSPORT WEB TO HOST, a web based terminal emulator program, can now be deployed using the popular Apache Tomcat Web Server. PASSPORT provides TN3270, TN5250 and VT100/VT220 host access to IBM zSeries (S/390), IBM iSeries (AS/400) and Unix host systems, as well as FTP file transfer. Apache is an open source HTTP server, whereas Tomcat is an open source Java servlet engine.

(PRWEB) September 5, 2003 -- Zephyr's PASSPORT WEB TO HOST, a web based terminal emulator program, can now be deployed using the popular Apache Tomcat Web Server. PASSPORT provides TN3270, TN5250 and VT100/VT220 host access to IBM zSeries (S/390), IBM iSeries (AS/400) and Unix host systems, as well as FTP file transfer. Apache is an open source HTTP server, whereas Tomcat is an open source Java servlet engine.

Benefits

The main benefit of using the Apache server and Tomcat servlet engine is that both of these products are open source. These products can be downloaded and installed for free, they run on a variety of computer server hardware platforms, are very reliable, scalable, and are supported and enhanced by developers throughout the world. Apache has been the most popular web server on the Internet since April of 1996. The July 2003 Netcraft Web Server Survey found that 63% of the web sites on the Internet are using Apache, thus making it more widely used than all other web servers combined.

PASSPORT Web Based Terminal Emulator

PASSPORT WEB TO HOST is a web based terminal emulation program. An administrator program is included with the product that provides centralized configuration and administration of host access session profiles. The host session profiles contain host connection information, keyboard mapping information and other attribute configuration information. All software and configuration files reside on the web server. When a terminal emulation session is started, an ActiveX applet is downloaded from the Web Server to the client desktop and runs inside the browser, making a direct connection to the host system. Using web-based deployment of terminal emulation software can lower the total cost of ownership (TCO) by up to 25%. For more information on PASSPORT WEB TO HOST visit http://www.zephyrcorp.com/web-terminal-emulator/index.htm .

The PASSPORT WEB TO HOST administrator program consists of an administration web site, a java servlet application, and an ActiveX component for remote configuration and administration. When the administrator program is started, the ActiveX component is downloaded to a Windows desktop and then communicates with the Java servlet application running on the Web Server. PASSPORT WEB TO HOST can be deployed to any Web Application Server that can display static web pages and also run Java servlets, including the Apache Tomcat Server. The Apache Tomcat Server includes a high performance web server for hosting static content and dynamic web applications. Web applications are a collection of HTML pages, Java servlet pages, servlets, Java classes, applets, images, multimedia files and other file types.

Deployment

Until recently, PASSPORT WEB TO HOST was commonly deployed from a Microsoft Windows NT or 2000 server with IIS (Internet Information Server), an IBM OS/390 or zOS system running Unix System Services and WebSphere Application Server, or any other platform running the BEA WebLogic Application Server. After many requests to deploy PASSPORT WEB TO HOST from other Web Server platforms, Zephyr has tested and certified the use of PASSPORT with the Apache Tomcat Web Server.

Deploying PASSPORT WEB TO HOST with the Apache Tomcat Application Server can be done using one of two different methods:

(1) Deploying PASSPORT with the Tomcat server standalone

(2) Deploying PASSPORT with the Tomcat server as a plugin to the Apache HTTP server

There are advantages and disadvantages for both of these methods. Please visit http://jakarta.apache.org/tomcat/faq/connectors.html#integrate for more detailed information on which is best for your specific requirements.

After determining which deployment method is best to use, you can then prepare your environment accordingly. The main installation difference between the two deployment methods will be how the Apache HTTP and Tomcat servers are configured to integrate if the second method is chosen.

Installation and configuration consists of three parts:

(1) The PASSPORT WEB TO HOST administrator and deployment web site files are transferred to the Tomcat directory where HTML pages are deployed.

(2) The PASSPORT WEB TO HOST Java servlet files are transferred to the Tomcat directory where Java servlets are deployed.

(3) The Apache, Tomcat and PASSPORT WEB TO HOST configuration files are edited to complete the installation.

After installation and configuration is complete, the PASSPORT WEB TO HOST administrator program can then be accessed through a web browser to configure host access session profiles. End users can then access a web site link to start the host sessions. If you need more detailed instructions, contact Zephyr Technical Support at 1-800-966-3270 or support@zephyrcorp.com.

About Zephyr Corporation

Zephyr Development Corporation is committed to delivering high-quality, affordable TN3270, TN5250, and VT100/VT220 terminal emulation software and host access solutions. Zephyr offers subscription based licensing that substantially reduces the cost of terminal emulation software. Founded in 1985, Zephyr is a member of IBM® PartnerWorld, Microsoft® MSDN, Cisco® EAP, and the IETF. Zephyr headquarters are located in Houston, TX and can be accessed on the web at http://www.zephyrcorp.com.

About Apache Software Foundation

The Apache Software Foundation provides support for the Apache community of open source software projects. The Apache projects are characterized by a collaborative, consensus based development process, an open and pragmatic software license, and a desire to create high quality software that leads the way in its field. Apache Software Foundation can be accessed on the web at www.apache.org.

About Tomcat

Tomcat is the servlet container that is used in the official reference implementation for the Java servlet and Java server pages technologies. The Java servlet and Java server pages specifications are developed by Sun. For documentation, available versions, source code, or licensing questions, please visit http://jakarta.apache.org/tomcat/index.html for additional information.

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