Access Server

The Access Server resides in CICS or in a batch address space/partion, and is a component of all three ViaSQL products; ViaSQL Direct, ViaSQL Blue Direct, and ViaSQL Integrator.

The Access Server communicates with LAN and web-based components over either a TCP/IP or LU6.2 connection. Depending on the specific mix of other ViaSQL components that are deployed, the Access Server does the following:

  • Executes requests against mainframe data and applications on behalf of desktop, server, or web-based applications
  • Executes requests against server and web-based data and applications on behalf of CICS and batch applications

The Access Server provides a variety of customization, management, and performance features, including configurable transaction management, request limits, and buffersize parameters.

Desktop, Server, and Web-based Access to the Mainframe

The Access Server receives connections from either the ViaSQL Direct ODBC Driver, the ViaSQL Direct JDBC Driver, the ViaSQL Gateway, or a SOAP client. Depending on the type of request, the Access Server may:

During execution of the request, the Access Server retrieves result rows, status codes and error messages, and returns the information back to the requesting application. Depending on the configuration options, the Access Server will return the results directly, or will cache the results in temporary storage so that the target DBMS concurrency controls (locks) are released as early as possible. Depending on configuration options, the Access Server can automatically perform transaction management controls (COMMIT and ROLLBACK).

The Access Server communicates with DB2, the Legacy Data Server , and Datacom using their respective call-level interfaces. It communicates with RSPs and XSPs using a defined RSP/XSP API.

During Remote Stored Procedure and eXternal Stored Procedure execution, the Access Server mediates the activities of the RSP or XSP, so that the result sets, status codes and error messages that flow back to the LAN-based components are in a format consistent with DB2 and the Legacy Data Server.

CICS and Batch Access to LAN and Web-based Servers

The Access Server establishes connections to either the Windows CSA Server, the Java CSA Server, or a web server. Depending on the type of request, the Access Server may:

  • Execute a SQL request against a LAN database
  • Execute an HTTP request against a web server

The Access Server mediates the activities of Client Services Applications (CSAs). CSAs are customer-written programs that can access LAN-based DBMS systems using SQL, or access web servers using HTTP. CSAs are initiated from the mainframe, and provide CICS or batch applications with the ability to retrieve result sets and to update data on the LAN.

View the system requirements.