Release Notes for iPlanet(TM) Application
Server Enterprise Connector for CICS,
Version 6.5
PN 817-0413-10
Last Updated December 4, 2002
These release notes contain important information concerning the Version 6.5 release of the iPlanet(TM) Application Server Enterprise Connector for CICS. New features and enhancements, installation notes, known problems, and other late-breaking issues are addressed here. Read this and associated documents before you begin using iPlanet Application Server Enterprise Connector for CICS.
This document contains the following sections:
What's New in the iPlanet Application Server Enterprise Connector for CICS 6.5
iPlanet Application Server Enterprise Connector for CICS 6.5 has the following new features:
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The mainframe listener comes with a security exit. This exit can be used to perform any kind of security checks. You can, for example call RACROUT and verify that the user has access to a particular resource. You can check the IP address of the incoming request against a list.
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The mainframe modules and data areas were moved above the 16MB line. This provides Virtual Storage Constraint Relief (VSCR) and facilitates higher transaction rates and improved scalability.
Product Certification of Enterprise Connector for CICS 6.5 on iPlanet Application Server EPE 6.5 and 6.5 SP1
The following iPlanet Application Server EPE 6.5 products have been certified to run on Versions 6.5 and 6.5 SP1.
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Unified Integration Framework 6.5
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iPlanet Application Server Enterprise Connector for CICS 6.5
Platform Summary
The iPlanet Application Server Enterprise Connector for CICS supports the following platforms:
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Microsoft Windows NT version 4.0 SP6 and Windows 2000 server SP2
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Sun SPARC(TM) running Solaris 2.6 or Solaris 8
Documentation
All Sun Microsystems product documentation can be found at the following site:
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http://docs.sun.com/
This section contains the following:
iPlanet Application Server Enterprise Connector for CICS 6.5 Documentation
In addition to these release notes, the Enterprise Connector for CICS 6.5 product includes an entire set of documentation. This section contains a brief synopsis of each document.
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Administrator's Guide(PN 806-5503-02) The Administrator's Guide explains how to get started with, install, manage, and configure the Enterprise Connector for CICS 6.5.
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Developer's Guide(PN 806-5504-02) The Developer's Guide gives a brief overview of the Enterprise Connector for CICS 6.5 and explains how to develop applications that access the connector.
Referenced Documentation
The following documents are referenced:
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iPlanet Web Server Developer's Guide
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iPlanet Application Server Administrator's Guide
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iPlanet Application Server Release Notes
Software and Hardware Requirements
This section deals with the requirements for both the Application Server platforms, either Solaris or Windows, and the Host (mainframe).
Software and hardware requirements are grouped to whether they apply to both Windows and Solaris systems or are specific to one of the systems. Both systems have the same mainframe requirements.
Application Server Platform
Patches
All patches are located on the iPlanet Application Server EPE 6.5 CD or in the download. For more information see the section "Required Patches" in the iPlanet Process Manager, 6.5 Release Notes:
http://docs.sun.com/source/816-6356-10/index.html.
Solaris and Windows Systems
The following software must be installed before you can install the Enterprise Connector for CICS 6.5:
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iPlanet Application Server EPE Version 6.5 or 6.5 SP1
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iPlanet Unified Integration Framework Version 6.5
Patches
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iPlanet Application Server EPE 6.5 requires the Maintenance Update 2 (MU2) patch. The patch is not required when you install the 6.5 SP1 version.
Solaris
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Memory: 256 MB minimum; 512 MB recommended
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Disk Space: 400 MB
Patches
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iPlanet Application Server EPE 6.5 requires the JDK 1.3.1_04 patch. The patch is not required when you install the 6.5 SP1 version.
Windows NT/Windows 2000 server SP2
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Memory: 256 MB minimum; 512 MB recommended
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Disk Space: 200 MB
Mainframe Software
The Enterprise Connector for CICS 6.5 operates with MVS Operating System version 5.2.2 or later, OS/390 version 2.6 or later, and z/OS. CICS/ESA 4.1 and later is supported.
Communication Protocols
The Enterprise Connector for CICS 6.5 can be used in the following three environments:
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Windows NT/2000 connecting over APPC to CICS. This has no Listener.
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Windows NT/2000, or Solaris 2.6/Solaris 8 connecting over IBM-TCP/IP to a Listener and then to CICS.
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Solaris 8 connecting over CA-TCPaccess to a Listener and then to CICS.
Note
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The Enterprise Connector for CICS 6.5 works only with IBM supported versions of TCP/IP protocol and CA supported versions of CA-TCPaccess protocol.
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Installation Notes
Installation of the product is as follows:
For Windows NT and Windows2000 Server SP2:
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Load the iPlanet Application Server Enterprise Connector for CICS Version 6.5 CD.
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Unzip the file NT\inscics.zip from the CD into a temporary directory, then run the file setup.exe in the inscics directory.
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Load the ICU (International Components for Unicode) Open Source Code for Windows and Solaris Version 1.6 CD.
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Unzip the file: icu-NT.zip to the directory <iPlanet inst directory>\ias\APPS\bin
Note
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ICU has been checked to validate that it also works with Windows2000 server SP2, even though this platform is not noted on the label.
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For Solaris:
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Load the iPlanet Application Server Enterprise Connector for CICS Version 6.5 CD.
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Untar the file Solaris/inscics.tar from the CD-ROM into a temporary directory and then run the file setup in the inscics directory.
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Load the ICU (International components for Unicode) Open Source Code for Windows and Solaris Version 1.6 CD.
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Untar the file: icu-SOLARIS.tar to the directory <iPlanet inst directory>/ias/APPS/bin
The ICU (International Components for Unicode) Open Source Code for Windows and Solaris Version 1.6 CD contains the open source ICU libraries used for character set translation.
Post-Installation Issues
The following post-installation issues must be addressed:
Memory Consumption
ProblemThe change in the JVM default arguments on iPlanet Application Server EPE versions 6.5 and 6.5 SP1, causes the Enterprise Connector for CICS 6.5 to have high memory consumption on Solaris\NT\Windows2000 platforms.
The default JVM arguments on iPlanet Application Server EPE versions 6.5 and 6.5 SP1, are as follows:
-server -Xss512k -Xms128m -Xmx1024m -XX:NewSize=42m -XX:MaxNewSize=342m
-XX:+DisableExplicitGC -Xconcurrentio
Refer to http://java.sun.com/docs/hotspot/VMOptions.html for details on VM parameters.
SolutionThe workaround to resolve the high memory consumption is to set flags to force the garbage collector to clean up the memory as described in the following section:
Solaris:
On Solaris modify the iasenv script to change the flags.
The file, iasenv.ksh, is in the following directory: <ias_inst_dir>/ias/env
Set the following flags:
GX_ARGS : JAVA_GX_ARGS="-DGX.cleaner.enabled=yes
(By default Disabled)
JAVA_ARGS : Enable Explicit GC
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Remove -XX:+DisableExplicitGC flag from JAVA_ARGS to enable Explicit GC
(By default Disabled)
JAVA_ARGS : Reset the Max Heap Size from 1024 MB to 512 MB
Windows:
On Windows use kregedit to modify iPlanet Application Server EPE registry to change the flags.
Modify JavaArgs by appending -XX:+DisableExplicitGC=no to existing JavaArgs
Figure 1 shows the tree structure.
Figure 1    iPlanet Application Server EPE 6.5 Tree Structure
.
Note
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The memory flag settings are explained in more detail in the iPlanet Application Server EPE 6.5 release note at the following URL:
http://docs.sun.com/source/816-6373-10/index.html
in section: Compatibility with Previous Releases/Memory Settings.
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Upgrade from iPlanet Application Server Enterprise Connector for CICS 6.0 SPx to Version 6.5
In order to upgrade the iPlanet Application Server Enterprise Connector for CICS for version 6.0 SPx, you must also upgrade the iPlanet Application Server 6.0 SPx to version 6.5 or 6.5 SP1 and the Unified Integration Framework from SPx to Version 6.5.
To Upgrade the iPlanet Application Server Enterprise Connector for CICS from Version 6.0 SPx to Version 6.5.
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Export the Unified Integration Framework Repository "bsp" node using Repository Browser.
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Go to ".../APPS/bin and run "bspbrowser.sh"
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Export the Repository "bsp" node by selecting "Export Root".
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You must perform this step when upgrading from iPlanet Application Server EPE version 6.0 to versions 6.5 or 6.5 SP1.
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Uninstall the Unified Integration Framework 6.0 SPx and Connector for CICS 6.0 SPx
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Upgrade iPlanet Application Server 6.0 SPx to iPlanet Application Server EPE 6.5 or 6.5 SP1. See Release Notes for iPlanet Application Server EPE 6.5 SP1.
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Install Unified Integration Framework 6.5.
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Install Enterprise Connector for CICS 6.5 on the same machine.
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Import the Unified Integration Framework Repository "bsp" node using the Repository Browser.
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Go to ".../APPS/bin and run "bspbrowser.sh"
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Import the Repository "bsp" node from the exported XML file.
Note
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You must also reinstall the mainframe components as explained in Chapter 3 - Installing the Mainframe Component, in the iPlanet Application Server Enterprise Connector for CICS Administrator's Guide.
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Migrating the Applications
You need to deploy all the applications to the Application Server. Refer to the iPlanet Application Server EPE documentation for instructions on how to migrate the applications.
Resolved Issues
Table 1 lists the issues resolved in Enterprise Connector for CICS 6.5.
Table 1    Resolved Issues
ID
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Summary
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4542297 |
The problem with high CPU utilization by Listener and Catalog during stress test has been resolved. |
..
Known Problems and Limitations
Table 2 describes known problems and associated solutions for the Enterprise Connector for CICS 6.5.
Table 2    Known Problems and Limitations.
ID
|
Summary
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None |
Sample does not accept non-English characters.
SolutionIn order to try the bundled samples, e.g. PhoneBookDemo with non-English data and encoding such as Japanese and Shift_JIS respectively:
Make sure the application server is running in international mode.
To make the server run in international mode:
Start kregedit from $IAS_INSTALL/ias/bin directory. Expand Application Server --> 6.5 --> NLS and make sure that the key "INTERNATIONAL" is set to 1. If it shows "0", then change it to "1" and restart the server.
Edit PhoneBookForm.jsp file under $IAS_INSTALL/ias/APPS/PhoneBookDemo/jsp directory and add the following line at the top of the file:
<%@ page contentType="text/html; charset=Shift_JIS" %>
When you run the sample, make sure that you select Shift_JIS from the backend character set drop-down list. The charset selected and the charset specified in the jsp file should be the same. |
546538
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"$" character is not acceptable in the CICS connector.
SolutionThe "$" character cannot be used as a character in any of the datasource fields in the Management Console. |
4540987
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Uninstaller removes common files in multi-connector installation.
SolutionWhen uninstalling one of several connectors, such as R/3, PeopleSoft, Tuxedo or CICS, the common directories <iAS InstallDir>/ias/APPS/console, <iASInstallDir>/ias/APPS/ecu and files from the bin directory may be deleted. It is necessary to copy these directories back to APPS directory, while maintaining the same sub-directories structure, from <iASInstallDir>/ias/APPS/UIFbackup for the connectors to function correctly. All files that are present in the UIFBackup directory need to be copied to the <iASInstallDir>/ias/APPS. |
None
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Error during initialization of the SNA/APPC protocol stack on Windows NT/2000 platforms.
The following error message may appear when you initialize CNOS.
SolutionIn the SNA node configuration under the LINK_STATION section:
change the following to:
ADJACENT_NODE_TYPE=SUBAREA_LEN
add:
FQ_ADJACENT_CP_NAME=Network_ID.SSCP_name
Set Network_ID and SSCP_name to site specific values. |
How to Report Problems
If you have problems with iPlanet Application Server Enterprise Connector for CICS Version 6.5, contact Sun customer support using one of the following mechanisms:
So that we can best assist you in resolving problems, please have the following information available when you contact support:
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Description of the problem, including the situation where the problem occurs and its impact on your operation
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Machine type, operating system version, and product version, including any patches and other software that might be affecting the problem
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Detailed steps on the methods you have used to reproduce the problem
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Any error logs or core dumps
Documentation Revision
This document has changed since the initial Enterprise Connector for CICS 6.5 release.
Table 3 shows the revision history for this document, and lists the affected sections.
Table 3    Connector for CICS Release Notes Revision History
Release Note Issue Date
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Affected Sections
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August 2002 |
Original release of this document |
November 2002 |
Corrected URL references to Sun ONE doc sites in the For More Information Section. Added the following sections:
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Documentation Revision
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Product Certification of iPlanet Application Server Enterprise Connector for CICS on iPlanet Application Server EPE Version 6.5 on Version 6.5 SP1.
Added an item in Known Problems and Limitations:
Error during initialization of the SNA/APPC protocol stack on Windows NT/2000 platforms. |
For More Information
Useful Sun ONE information can be found at the following Internet locations: