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Client Access/400
All of our software products assume that you have Client Access/400 or an equivalent function that will allow you to map a network drive to your AS/400. All versions of Client Access/400 provide this capability. NetServer, included with OS/400, also provides the function without any requirement for using Client Access/400. FTP can be used as an alternative to mapping a drive; the process is described in the User's Guide for most of our products.Optionally, Client Access/400 and similar products can also be used to provide printer emulation facilities for use with FORMagic/400 and FontMagic/400 applications. This is not a requirement for using our products, but simply one of the many means for configuring printers which are compatible with them. We generally recommend not using Client Access/400 for printer emulation; but it does work if you have sufficient expertise to deal with the complexity of setup, operation, and maintenance and can accept the printing performance penalty it generates. Whenever possible, we recommend using a mapped drive, instead of FTP, with FORMagic/400 and FontMagic/400. They require forms and fonts to be uploaded periodically from the PC into the AS/400, and our products automate this process with mapped drives.
When using a mapped drive, you must meet all of the requirements shown below; otherwise operational issues will most likely occur. You must:
If you meet all of these pre-requisites, few if any operational issues will occur; and, we will be happy to provide support for any that do.
- Have Client Access/400 or an equivalent product ready for use.
- When using Client Access Express or not using Client Access at all: NetServer must be active on the AS/400 and you must have established a "share" to allow file access from the network.
- Know how to map a network drive. You must map a drive letter to your entire AS/400, something similar to -- Drive Letter: I; Mapped To: \\systemname. You may be able to use the Explorer Tools menu to map the drive. The alternative mapping \\systemname\QDLS can also be used, but no other mapping will operate correctly.
- After mapping a drive, display the drive from Explorer. You must be able to see the folder QDLS, or its contents if the alternative mapping is used.
- The User ID used for connecting the drive to the AS/400 must have sufficient authority to create and delete folders and files within QDLS. Note that the User ID referred to here is not necessarily the same as the one used for signing on to a workstation session; it is the one used to make the connection between the PC and the AS/400 (and specified during the installation of Client Access).
- Two root level folders are used: (1) PCI400 is used for installation of all products. (2) FMAGIC is used by FORMagic/400 for forms upload, and FONMAGIC is used by FontMagic/400 for fonts upload.
- You must have appropriate authority for performing operations on these folders. The Security Officer most likely does not have the necessary authority. Most authority problems can be eliminated by granting public authority *ALL to the folders being used.
- Sometimes, it may be preferable to create one or both of these folders manually to overcome authority issues. Use WRKFLR and create it in the root level (that will automatically be the root level of QDLS). Again, specify public authority *ALL.
If you do not know how to perform these steps, we will be happy to provide general assistance. However, due to the constantly changing nature of Client Access, the many versions and releases available, numerous PTF's, frequent changes in security mechanisms, and the complexity of setups and operation, we have limited ability to provide detailed support for this product. As with all IBM products, IBM Support Line is the proper channel for obtaining detailed support when needed.
Resolving Common Problems:If you cannot complete an upload, verify that you can see the AS/400 and the upload folder in Explorer. Using Explorer, try dragging and dropping any file into it. If you get an error, you definitely have a mapping or authority issue that must be resolved.
If you have problems uploading an existing form or font, check the upload folder to see if the files being uploaded are already present. If so, they may be owned by a previously used profile which disallows their replacement. Use WRKFLR to delete them manually, then re-try the upload.
When using Client Access/400 printer emulation, you must always use Host Print Transform. Be sure to specify a manufacturer type and model which exactly match the printer actually being used. Host Print Transform must be selected from Client Access on the PC; otherwise, the AS/400 itself will most likely disable it during the next startup.