Software Announcement 201-059
March 13, 2001
IBM MQSeries Integrator Agent for CICS Transaction Server Enables MDp Customers to Move to Business Integration
 ENUS201-059.PDF (38KB)
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At a Glance
MQSeries Integrator Agent for CICS Transaction Server provides:
- Application integration on the mainframe with CICS and IMS applications
- Functional migration from the existing MDp product
- A run time component that runs on OS/390
- A build time component (the MQSI Agent for CICS Adapter Builder) that runs on Windows NT, using tools with a look and feel similar to those of MQSeries Integrator
-
With Adapter Builder, adapters can be:
- Built to the MQSI Agent for CICS Adapter run time environment
- Deployed as CICS applications on the OS/390 server
Overview
The MQSeries® Integrator Agent for CICS® Transaction Server Version 1 Release 1 (MQSI Agent for CICS) is a product for application integration, running on OS/390®. It enables functional migration from the existing Message Driven processor (MDp) product (originally available from Early, Cloud & Company, and more recently delivered by IBM as a PRPQ (5799-A66)).
The MQSI Agent for CICS consists of two components:
- MQSI Agent for CICS Adapter Builder — a build time component — runs on Windows NT™ and uses tools that look and feel similar to those of MQSeries Integrator.
- MQSI Agent for CICS Adapter run time — runs under CICS Transaction Server for OS/390 V1R3 as a CICS application on an OS/390 server. MQSI Agent for CICS Adapter run time uses CICS Business Transaction Services (BTS) to manage the interrelationship, commit scope, recovery, and restart of the actions that make up a business transaction.
Used together, the build time and run time components of MQSI Agent for CICS enable the construction and execution of adapters to process requests from controlling applications for business transactions running on host systems, in particular CICS and IMS™.
The adapter runs when the MQSI Agent for CICS server run time receives a request message from the controlling application. If the controlling application is MQSeries-enabled, the request is in the form of an MQSeries message. Any other controlling application capable of initiating a CICS program can use a CICS-supplied interface to pass a request to run the adapter. A CICS-supplied interface can be ECI, EXCI, or an EXEC CICS LINK.
Target IMS and CICS applications may be driven via 3270 data streams. CICS applications may also be driven through a Distributed Program Link (DPL). MQSeries-enabled applications are accessed through MQSeries. The product contains server adapter programs that handle these three classes of applications.
Key Prerequisites
For run time, the following are required:
- OS/390 Version 2.7, or later
- CICS Transaction Server for OS/390 Version 1.3 (5655-147)
- MQSeries for OS/390 Version 2.1 (5655-A95), or later
For build time, the following are required:
- Windows NT Version 4.0
- Object REXX development Version 1.0.3 for Windows NT
Description
Using the build time component, the user performs a series of processes, including connector flow modeling, to build an adapter. As output from the build time, an adapter consists of COBOL (source and copybooks) and JCL.
After an adapter has been built, the user moves it from the build time environment to an OS/390 server, where it is compiled as a CICS application. In its final form, the adapter consists of COBOL and CICS executables.
The adapter runs when the MQSI Agent for CICS Adapter run time receives a request message from a controlling application. Requests from controlling applications must be contained in a CICS communication area (COMMAREA). A controlling application can be any MQSeries-enabled application, or any application capable of initiating a CICS program through a CICS-supplied interface (that is, ECI, EXCI, or EXEC CICS LINK). Examples of controlling applications include:
- MQSeries Integrator
- MQSeries Workflow
- Local, remote, or Client CICS applications
- Applications running under WebSphere™ Application Server (any platform) and using Java™ connectors to access CICS programs
If the controlling application is MQSeries-enabled, the request is in the form of an MQSeries message, and the application uses the MQSeries-CICS Bridge to pass the request message to the run time. Other controlling applications (as long as they can initiate a CICS program) use a CICS-supplied interface to pass the request message to the run time.
The controlling application is responsible for the overall business flow. It manages business context complex state, multiple request and reply interactions, asynchronous processing, overall business flow compensation, and the continuation of one logical request through multiple requests, if required.
Depending on how the connector flow was modeled, adapter request processing can employ (in any sequence) server adapter programs. Server adapter programs enable the controlling application to access:
- Existing CICS transactions (including custom programs) via a Distributed Program Link (DPL)
- Existing CICS or IMS (or other) applications via a 3270 data stream
- MQSeries-enabled applications via MQSeries
MQSI Agent for CICS Adapter Run Time: The run time component contains the following elements:
- The server adapter programs — any one of three types of programs in the run time component that perform the business transaction activity defined within a connector flow at build time
- The navigator programs — perform adapter request processing, manage states during the connector flow, and invoke the server adapter programs
- Support for custom programs — custom programs must be written according to a specification that is part of MQSI Agent for CICS
- An error logging program
- Support for compensation flows, journaling, and audit levels using the BTS facilities of CICS
- A range of utility programs to support the run time component
MQSI Agent for CICS server adapter programs perform the processing modeled in the connector flows (also sometimes referred to as micro-flow scripts, navigation scripts, or micro-control flows). The server adapter program processing may:
- Initiate programs via DPL, using CICS Link.
- Perform screen navigation, by way of an interactive request and reply dialogue with a 3270-type CICS or IMS application. This uses the Front-End Program Interface (FEPI) function of CICS, and automatically parses 3270 screens sent by the application, identifying their fields, attributes and data, constructing and sending suitable replies including keystrokes, based on the modeling and simple business logic. The modeling is performed at build time.
- Synchronously perform MQSeries PUT and GET commands, enabling the controlling application to maintain responsibility for the overall business flow.
- Initiate custom programs, again via DPL using CICS Link. The custom programs may include complex logic rules.
To do this, there are three types of server adapter programs:
- The FEPI server adapter program, which interfaces to 3270-type CICS and IMS applications, and performs screen navigation
- The CICS server adapter program that interfaces to CICS transactions via DPL, and can also include custom programs developed to augment the supplied function
- The MQSeries server adapter program that interfaces with MQSeries enabled applications
In VisualAge® for Java Enterprise Access Builder (EAB) terminology, the server adapter programs are called commands. The server adapter programs are generated as a result of modeling using the build time component of MQSI Agent for CICS.
The navigator programs, like the server adapter programs, are generated as a result of modeling via the build time component.
MQSI Agent for CICS Adapter Builder: This, the build time component of the product, runs on Windows NT. It is provided on CD-ROM for installation using InstallShield.
It consists of the following elements:
- A Control Center , similar to the Control Center of MQSeries Integrator and to that of MQSeries Adapter Offering, with the addition of support for the flow components and additional primitives of MQSI Agent for CICS. It supports the modeling and definition of the navigators and of the three types of server adapter programs. Definitions are stored as eXtensible Markup Language (XML) documents in the control center's repository.
- Importers that collect modeling information from 3270 data streams and from COBOL record descriptions, and represent them as structured data types in the repository of the control center. The structured data types can then be used during modeling. A subset of the IBM Host On-Demand product is used to perform the build time 3270 terminal emulation function for the capture of the 3270 dialogs.
- A Generator facility running in the same system as the control center, that enables the run time component to behave as modeled in the build time. This reads from the XML documents in the repository the definitions of the navigators and the three types of server adapter programs, and from them generates source code in COBOL (source and copybooks), together with the corresponding Job Control Language (JCL) for installation in the run time environment. The generator sends these to the system containing the run time component, and initiates the compilation in the run time machine of the source code into the executables of the navigators and the server adapter programs.
- A Repository is a directory in the builder's file system that contains the messages and models.
Euro Currency
This program is not impacted by euro currency.
Product Positioning
MQSI Agent for CICS enables migration from the current MDp product, and is intended initially for customers who have MDp. It allows these customers to migrate to IBM's strategic business integration solution, while protecting the investment they have made in MDp task objects. It also provides a range of requirements identified by MDp customers.
MQSI Agent for CICS is a member of the strategic family of business integration offerings that include MQSeries Integrator Version 2, MQSeries Workflow, MQSeries Adapter Offering, and IBM Connectors.
Reference Information
For information on CICS Transaction Server for z/OS Version 2, announced today, refer to Software Announcement 201-060 , dated March 13, 2001.
Trademarks
Publications
One copy of each of the following hardcopy books is delivered with the product.
Order
Title Number
MQSeries(R) Integrator Agent for
CICS(R) Transaction Server:
Run Time User's Guide SC34-5899
MQSeries Integrator Agent for
CICS Transaction Server:
Using the Control Center SC34-5901
Program Directory: MQSeries Integrator
Agent for CICS Transaction Server GI10-2534
Displayable Softcopy Publications: The publications of this product are also provided in softcopy form on a Publications Library CD-ROM, in both PDF and HTML formats, for displaying or printing:
Order
Title Number
MQSeries Integrator Agent for
CICS Transaction Server:
Publications Library SK3T-6900
One copy of the Publications Library CD-ROM is shipped with the product. It may also be purchased separately for $40. Specify feature number 8194. Contact your IBM representative.
Technical Information
Hardware Requirements
MQSI Agent for CICS run time requires:
- Machine capable of supporting OS/390® V2.7
- 6 MB of DASD
- Less than 1 MB of processor main memory
MQSI Agent for CICS build time requires:
- Any Year-2000-compliant Intel Pentium™ III (or above) processor-based IBM or IBM-compatible machine, with at least 500 MHz processor speed
- Any communications hardware supporting SNA LU6.2 and TCP/IP
- A minimum of 256 MB of RAM
- Approximately 250 to 750 MB of disk space, depending on installation options
Software Requirements
MQSI Agent for CICS requires:
-
OS/390 V2.7, or later, with COBOL/370™
Note: LE/370 must be at V1.9, or later
-
CICS Transaction Server for OS/390 V1.3 (5655-147)
- Or CICS Transaction Server for z/OS V2.2 (5697-E93).
- Business Transaction Services must be configured in the run time region.
- Optional requirement: CICS FEPI installed and configured for region-to-region communications
- Optional requirement: External Security Manager support for FEPI pass-tickets
-
MQSeries for OS/390 V2.1 (5655-A95), with APAR PQ23961, or later
Note: Includes the MQSeries-CICS Bridge.
For build time, MQSI Agent for CICS requires:
- Windows NT™ V4.0, Workstation or Server, with service pack 5 or 6A (NOT 6)
- Object REXX development V1.0.3 for Windows NT
MQSI Agent for CICS may be used via FEPI with CICS 3270 applications running under CICS/ESA® V4.1, or later; and with IMS™ 3270 applications running under IMS Transaction Manager V5.1, or later.
Performance Considerations:
MQSI Agent for CICS run time runs as an application under CICS TS
V1.3, and so inherits the performance characteristics of that product.
The navigation steps depend on Business Transaction Services, and so
inherit its performance characteristics.
Planning Information
Installability: The build time component of MQSI Agent for CICS is installed by InstallShield.
The run time component of MQSI Agent for CICS is provided in CBPDO and ServerPac, and is installed by SMP/E.
Direct Customer Support: Installation and technical support is provided by Global Services. For more information call 800-IBM-4YOU (426-4968).
Packaging: The delivery package contains:
- The run time component of the product on the chosen type of three alternative tape options
- The build time component of the product on CD-ROM (LCD4-4359)
- The hardcopy publications as listed in the Publications section
- Publications Library CD-ROM (SK3T-6900)
It also contains the following licensing materials in hardcopy:
- International Program License Agreement (IPLA, Z125-3301)
- IPLA Pointer Sheet (Z127-1000)
- MQSeries Integrator Agent for CICS Transaction Server: License Information (GC34-5902)
MQSI Agent for CICS will also be delivered as a complementary product
with CICS Transaction Server for z/OS Version 2.2
Security, Auditability, and Control
The run time component of MQSI Agent for CICS runs as an application under CICS TS V1.3, and therefore uses the security, auditability, and control facilities provided by CICS. Support by an External Security Manager for FEPI pass-tickets is also used.
The customer is responsible for evaluation, selection, and implementation of security features, administrative procedures, and appropriate controls in application systems and communication facilities.
Ordering Information
MQSeries Integrator Agent for CICS Transaction Server is an IPLA product with a single charge based on installations.
Software Subscription and Support is required to provide the same level of support as is delivered with standard S/390® ICA offerings, including voice defect support, together with code updates. It has a single annual charge, which must be purchased in the same quantity as MQSI Agent for CICS.
OTC(1)
MQSeries Integrator Agent for Program Feature
CICS Transaction Server Number Number
Per Install 5655-F25 0001
- 1
- One-Time Charge
Basic License: To order, specify the program number 5655-F25, and the OTC feature number. (Note that feature number 9001 for asset registration is not required.) Also specify the feature number of the desired distribution medium, as follows:
Medium
Feature
Description Number Medium
MQSI Agent for CICS 5801 Magnetic Tape
9-track 6250 bpi
5802 3480 1/2-inch
Tape Cartridge
6427 4-mm DAT Cartridge
Software Subscription and Support: To order the Software Subscription and Annual Support, specify program number 5655-F50 and the feature number from the table below. (Note that feature number 9001 for asset registration is not required.) The quantity of Software Subscription and Support licenses must be equal to the number of OTC licenses ordered.
- Software Subscription and Support for MQSI Agent for CICS: Per Install
- Subscription Support for Program Number: 5655-F25
- Order under Program Number 5655-F50 Standard Support Annual Charge Feature Number: 0001
Also specify the feature number of the distribution medium:
Medium
Feature
Description Number Medium
MQSI Agent for CICS SW
Subscription and Support 6448 Paper
Customization Options: Select the appropriate feature numbers to customize your order with delivery options desired. These features can be specified on the initial or MES orders.
Example: If publications are not desired for the initial order, specify feature # 3470 to ship media only. For future updates, specify feature # 3480 to ship media updates only. If, in the future, publication updates are required, order an MES to remove feature # 3480; then, the publications will ship with the next release of the program.
Feature
Description Number
Initial Shipments
Serial number only (suppresses shipment 3444
of media and documentation)
Ship media only (suppresses initial 3470
shipment of documentation)
Ship documentation only (suppresses 3471
initial shipment of media)
Update Shipments
Ship media updates only (suppresses 3480
update shipment of documentation)
Ship documentation only (suppresses 3481
update shipment of media)
Suppress updates (suppresses update 3482
shipment of media and documentation)
Expedite Shipments
Local IBM office expedite 3445
(for IBM use only)
Customer expedite process charge 3446
($30 charge for each product)
Expedite shipments will be processed to receive 72-hour delivery from the
time IBM Software Delivery and Fulfillment (SDF) receives the order. SDF
will then ship the order via overnight air transportation.
Customized Offerings
MQSI Agent for CICS is shipped via the CBPDO and ServerPac Customized Offerings.
Terms and Conditions
Licensing: IPLA. Proofs of Entitlement (PoE) are required for all authorized use.
These products are licensed under the IPLA, and the associated Agreement for Acquisition of Support, and the Addendum for Support (Z125-6435) which provides for support with ongoing access to releases and versions of the program. These programs have a one-time license charge for use of the program and an ongoing recurring charge for the enhanced support that includes telephone assistance (voice support for defects during normal business hours) and access to updates, releases, and versions of the program as long as support is in effect. S/390 SupportLine is an option for those customers who desire added services.
Program Services: Available until December 31, 2005
Licensing of MQSI Agent for CICS Adapter Builder: A license for MQSI Agent for CICS includes the right to make and use without additional charge, within the same enterprise, any number of copies of the MQSI Agent for CICS Adapter Builder, subject to their use being with the licensed MQSI Agent for CICS Adapter run time.
Software Subscription and Support: The Software Subscription and Support program number 5655-F50 includes the same level of support as is delivered as part of standard S/390 ICA offerings and is required with the licensing of program 5655-F25 in order to provide this support. Customers will not be entitled to voice defect support or code updates without purchasing 5655-F50. 5655-F50 must be purchased in the same quantity as 5655-F25. As described in the IBM/Lotus®/Tivoli® Software Support Handbook, this base support includes (for most System/390® products) problem support for suspected defects in IBM code and publications via fax, mail, telephone (voice), and electronic access. Support for high-severity problems is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Access the handbook at:
Click on IBM/Lotus/Tivoli Software Support Handbook . The handbook also describes Support Line, SoftwareXcel, and other on-site and remote services.
In addition, the target response times for this offering are the same as those for other S/390 ICA offerings.
S/390 Support Line is a fee service which can enhance your productivity by providing voice and electronic access into the IBM support organization. S/390 Support Line will help answer questions pertaining to usage, how-to, and suspected software defects for eligible products.
Installation and technical support is provided by IBM Global Services. For more information on services, call 800-IBM-4YOU (426-4968).
Money-Back Guarantee: Two-month, money-back guarantee
Copy and Use on Home/Portable Computer: No
Passport Advantage Applies: No
Passport Advantage Subscription Applies: No
AIX®/UNIX® Upgrade Protection Applies: No
Entitled Upgrade for Current AIX/UNIX Upgrade Protection Licensees: No
AS/400® Software Subscription Applies: No
Educational Allowance Available: Yes, a 15% education allowance applies to qualified education institution customers.
Prices
The prices provided in this announcement are suggested retail prices for the U.S. only and are provided for your information only. Dealer prices may vary, and prices may also vary by country. Prices are subject to change without notice. For additional information and current prices, contact your local IBM representative.
MQSeries Integrator Agent for CICS Transaction Server
OTC
Program Feature
Description Number Number OTC
Per Install 5655-F25 0001 $100,000
Annual
Charge
Program Feature Annual
Description Number Number Charge
SW Subscription 5655-F50 0001 $25,000
and Support
The number of Software Subscription and Support licenses must be equal to the number of OTC licenses ordered.
Contact your sales channel for Support Line pricing information.
Customer Financing: IBM Global Financing offers attractive financing to credit-qualified commercial and government customers and Business Partners in more than 40 countries. IBM Global Financing is provided by the IBM Credit Corporation in the United States. Offerings, rates, terms, and availability may vary by country. Contact your local IBM Global Financing organization. Country organizations are listed on the Web at:
Trademarks