Connectivity Inside & Out

1. Connectivity Inside & Out Paul Barber PVX Plus Technologies

2. Topics • Client Server Interfaces • WindX Enhancements • Application Server & NTHOST Enhancements • PxPlus Simple Client Server • Web Interfaces • HTTP based CALL • Apache Web server interface • Requesting data from a web site • *PlusFax* interface

3. WindX Enhancements • Dynamic download for images and programs • System will download as needed from server to workstation • Pictures displayed by ‘PICTURE’ mnemonic • Any CALLed programs in *plus/wdx/usr • Saves ‘current’ image/program in work area on workstation • Benefits include • Easier setup • No mapped drives for better security • Automatic refresh of old data Mapped Drive Image sent by application Dynamically downloads and stores program/image as needed

4. WindX Enhancements • Static download • Done when user connects to server • Requests user to allow download • Can be configured to require download • Message text configurable for multi-lingual systems • Generally used to load static application data such as • Help files • Constant images (Splash screens, etc..) • Programs/Objects • Other software (Install EXEs)

5. WindX Enhancements • Improved Data Compression • ProvideX only attempted to compress individual packets • PxPlus compresses full data stream • Better compression ratio • Less overhead in compression / expansion logic • Reduces data transmitted which improves transmission times

6. WindX Enhancements • Built in “Keep Alive” logic • Assures that workstation is still on-line • TCP/IP protocol does not report disconnects when idle • Host will automatically send dummy message to WindX every 10 minutes to assure that the terminal is active • Error detected on send of second packet • Time frame is configurable via the ‘+A’ system parameter • Avoids need to change the OS configuration

7. WindX Enhancements • Break recognition for WindX • ProvideX would not recognize ‘Break’ other than at INPUT • Could not ‘Break’ out of program in a processing loop • PxPlus checks input queues every 10 seconds • Break will be recognized somewhere < 10 seconds • Time not configurable

8. WindX Enhancements • Multi-property requests • Access multiple properties with a single request. • Reduces number of packets transmitted • Improves performance • Works with Controls, Objects, and COM objects

9. WindX Enhancements • Multi-property requests (cont.) • Uses ‘Pseudo’ property name ending in dot (“ . ”) • Each true property name separated by dots E.g. ctlgrid’colno.row.value.lock.$ = “1|10|01-DENNYS|0|” Sets grid column to 1, row to 10, value to “01-DENNYS”, and unlocks cell • Can be used to read or write properties • Reduces WindX transmission packets on READ • On WRITE field separator is last character on data written • Sample above used |character for field separator • READ directive field separator is $00$

10. WindX Enhancements • Added ability to issue single FIND to read Grid/List • Eliminated need to FIND one cell/row at a time • To retrieve full contents of list box or grid use: LIST_BOX FIND xxx.ctl 0,X$ GRID FIND xxx.ctl,0,0,X$ • Returns all contents • Each row separated by character in ‘Sepload$ property • Each column separated by character in ‘Sep$ property

11. WindX Enhancements • Host property caching • Only caches those properties that the end-user cannot change but that the program can. • System remembers what was set by program • Properties it will cache position, lock, enable/disable, visible, etc. • Properties it will not cache value, column widths, selection, etc. • Controlled by ‘+H’ system property • If set, host will attempt to cache properties • Can only be enabled on Professional or E-Commerce license

12. WindX Enhancements • Automatic passing of system parameters to WindX • Helps assure consistency in display • Avoids program having to remotely set parameter • Parameters forwarded are: • ‘CH’ Text color for controls which detect hover when mouse not over • ‘CO’ Text color for controls which detect hover when mouse isover • ‘IM’Remember user setting of ‘Insert mode’ between inputs • ‘PW’ Value of character to use for password mask • ‘U8’ Unicode/UTF-8 settings

13. WindX Enhancements • Added [LCL] prefix as a ‘Smart’ alternative to [WDX] • Can use ‘[LCL]’ wherever ‘[WDX]’ was accepted • Ignored if non-WindX else same as [WDX] prefix • Removed 16 bit limit for LIST_BOX index reference • LIST_BOX WRITE/FIND/READ can now use item numbers > 65535 • Added support for EXIT error codes > 255

14. WindX Enhancements • Provides following global variables from workstation: • %PXPLUS_WHO$ - workstation user id • %PXPLUS_NID$ - workstation NID • Sets initial FID(0) based on workstation FID

15. AppServer and NTHOST • Previously, one user license needed to be sacrificed to run on Windows • PxPlus versions eliminate this requirement • NTHOST should now be run with –BKG in command line • AppServer standard configuration comes with –BKG This effectively means that an upgrade to PxPlus gives you the equivalent of an extra user license on Windows when using AppServer or NTHOST ProvideX Sacrifices one user PxPlus Frees up the user

16. PxPlus Simple Client Server • Simple thin client server implementation • Replaces NTHOST and single port aspect of AppServer • Less overhead than Application Server or NTHOST • Faster launch times and improved data transmission • Uses a single port for connections • Default port is 4093 The default port was assigned to PxPlus by the Internet Port Assignment Authority (ICANN) for our exclusive use. • Recognized port helps avoid conflicts and questions • Reduces firewall configuration issues • Can run in secure mode using SSL

17. PxPlus Simple Client Server • Host program launched by running *PLUS/CS/HOST • Will use START_UP in current directory • Supports two command line –arg values • First value is port number to use (4093 is default) • Second value is forced Lead program • Host will run this lead program when client connects • Passed client defined lead program in %LPG_USER$ (or “–none-”) • Client program is *PLUS/CS/CLIENT • Supports two command line –arg values • First value is host IP address/name • Can optionally have semi-colon and port number appended • Second value is the requested program to run (run at the host’s discretion)

18. PxPlus Simple Client Server • Can run as a service on Windows • Installation and removal utility provided RUN “*PLUS/CS/SERVICE” • Defaults to “Manual” start • Once installed you will need to change to Automatic and Start • Re-run utility to remove/change settings

19. PxPlus Simple Client Server • Server icon appears in Notification Area when run from Windows desktop • Right click to show number of active users and to request shutdown Also handles process launching tasks for iNomads (more on this tomorrow) • New direct launch ability for *ix telnet sessions • Setting %PXPLUS_HOST$ allows you to specify port:%PXPLUS_HOST$=“*server;port“ CALL "*windx.utl;spawn", … • ProvideX used dynamic port assignment, causing firewall issues

20. Web Interfaces • PxPlus offers two alternatives for interfacing to the Web: • PVX Web Server • Interface via the Apache Web Server

21. Web Interfaces • PVX Web Server: User PVX Task Images User PVX Web Server PVX Task User Files & HTMLPages User PVX Task User • Allrequests go through PVX tasks, and each additional file/image requires a separate PVX task

22. Web Interfaces • PxPlus Apache Server Interface: PxPlus Task PxPlus Task User ApacheHTTP Server Files & HTMLPages User User User Images User Other Web processes PHP, ASP, … Only application requests use PxPlus tasks

23. Web Interfaces • Advantages of the PVX webserver • Simple to set up and run • Advantages of the PxPlus/Apache Server Interface • PxPlus can co-exist with other Apache based applications • Better Performance vs. PVX Web Server • File/HTML downloads handled by Apache • Only requests needing PxPlus actually use PxPlus • Apache is the industry leading web server • Avoids security/reliability concerns from client

24. Web Interfaces • PVX Web server (minor PxPlus enhancement) • PxPlus includes program to install as Windows service RUN “*plus/web/service” • Simplifies Web server installation and removal • Use of –BKG on Web Server eliminates need for an additional user license

25. Web Interfaces • Built in RPC style call interface via WEB connect • Allows applications to run subprograms on server • Data exchange based on SOAP protocol and XML CALL "[http:www.yourserver.com]progxxx", a$, b$, c, d+1.23 • Uses HTTP or HTTPS connection • Requires Professional license

26. Web Interfaces • Subroutine to send and receive HTTP/HTTPS • Allows you easy access to web services CALL “*PLUS/WEB/REQUEST”,url$,data$,body$,header$,type$ • Where: url$ - Address of the web page/service data$ - Optional data you want to send/POST body$ - Response body as returned by the host header$ - Response header as returned by the host type$ - Content type (optional)

27. *PLUSFAX* Interface • Provides access to email based Fax services • Easy to setup via text mode config file • Directly callable from OPEN passing in the FAX# OPEN (n) “*PLUSFAX*;FAXNO=1888123456” • Requires Add-on package 10007 & Fax service account • Compatible fax service providers: • TrustFax • MyFax • Send2Fax

28. End of Presentation Thank you for attending Coffee Break