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In this blog, we will look back at the origin of AS/400 and the evolution it has undergone over a period. Also, explore the modernization techniques in iSeries system.
During the 1980s, there was a requirement for small and medium-sized companies to operate with a machine that was compact and inexpensive unlike Mainframe system. At the same time, the new machine was to be easy to install and use without compromising the performance and security. IBM observed this and introduced a new System/400. The Legacy technologies are classified into System Z and System I System Z or Mainframe and System I for AS/400.
After the launch of IBM iSeries machines, this midrange computers have been very successful and used by small and intermediate size companies for their business processing. IBM was able to sell 250,000 midrange systems worldwide in the year of 1988.
AS400 to IBM System I – Journey
Core Values behind AS400
Hardware architecture has become highly scalable. Businesses can start as a small as a 4-core and it will go all the way up to 16-256 core machines.
AS400 continues to have, unmatched compatibility, high performance, and scalability compared to previous (and now competing) solutions. Part of the advantage is the consistency the AS/400 created for businesses. A single operating system and architecture are used across an entire AS400 product family.
Today’s Power Systems is such a significant leap from AS/400. Comparing Windows with IBM I – Windows 10 is the same operating system as Windows 1.0, but the difference between IBM’s modern hardware and the original AS/400 is an even greater leap in technology.
There is a false statement in the market – that Power System is outdated, that is not true. In fact, the newer hardware offers significantly more performance and options than even the incarnations that immediately preceded it. We now have POWER-B servers which are 1.7 times faster than the POWER7 servers and support 1,000+ partitions. Running an old program on a new operating system doesn’t make the operating system old.
Regardless, the support is good for customers who still get great value from earlier applications. However, for new customers crucial for growth on the platform.
Roadblocks
The ecosystem surrounding the AS/400 is very much alive and still, plays an important role for many businesses. Since the industry is started moving towards digitization, it created a wave of the serious roadblock for iSeries application owners.
What is the next solution?
A web application will be hosted by amending the existing application. Following futures are already added into iSeries systems.
Steps for changing the existing iSeries application to web application
By using IBM ILE RPG CGI (Common Gateway Interface) Development tool kit, we can change the exiting application. CGI tool kit is a free and open source IBM iSeries based development tool, which is available in the market. This CGI tool kit helps to develop interactive web-based programs by using RPG
ILE or COBOL where the backend is Common Gateway Interface language. There are two CGI kits available in the market.
CGI Tool kit can be downloaded and installed on the iSeries and the subroutines will be called from the host language.
AS400 iSeries Architectural diagram of a web application
This toolset is incorporated into an RPG ILE service program that means of a service program which contains procedures required to receive the input from a browser with the help of TCP/IP, HTTP API and send the appropriate response back to the associated HTML to the browser with respective port number to IBM iSeries. The data will be processed by the corresponding RPG/COBOL program once the user response is received.
Benefits
Conclusion
Based on the above discussion, we can confirm that, by using CGI tool, As400 web applications will be developed and deployed with minimal risk.
References:
https://www.helpsystems.com/blog/as400-deadhttps:/
www.linkedin.com/pulse/web-technology-ibm-iseries-bramhananda-reddy-kamatham?forceNoSplash=true