Appendix C.

Using RSF with Pre-Configured Connections

In addition to operating in a dial-up environment you can also use Remote Software Facility with lines you may have already configured for communications to another iSeries.

When you use RSF with a pre-configured connection, RSF does not automatically create a line, controller and device description at the start of the transaction.  Instead, RSF uses the line, controller and device description that you previously created.

You control whether RSF uses a pre-configured line or a dial-up connection by values you specify for the "Server ID" (SERVER) on RSF commands.  Connection information is taken from the server directory entry specified on the "Server ID" parameter. If the server directory entry specifies a TCP/IP address or another type of pre-configured connection to use, RSF will use that connection. Otherwise, the phone number from the server directory entry will be used to initiate a dial-up connection.

For non-TCP/IP connections, follow these steps to contact a remote server machine over a pre-configured line:

1. Create the line, controller and device. This step only needs to be performed once, before the first time you contact the remote machine. Only lines compatible with Advanced Program To Program Communications (APPC) can be used with RSF. These include SDLC, X.25, Token Ring and Ethernet and TCP/IP lines.
   
   Tools to help you configure SDLC, Token Ring and Ethernet connections between AS/400s are available from Bug Busters. Use the following command to retrieve the configuration tools:
   
   RTVRSFPKG PKG(COMTOOLS) SAVF(QGPL/COMTOOLS) SERVER(BUGBUSTERS)
   
   A cover letter will be placed on your job's default output queue. Follow the instructions in the cover letter for restoring the tools library.
   .
2. Be sure the line, controller and device are varied on for both your machine and the remote server machine.
   .
3. Use the Display Device Description (DSPDEVD) command to display the device description that is attached to the controller and line you will be using to communicate with the remote server machine. Note the following values from the device description:
   
   …Remote location name
   …Device name
   …Local location name
   .
4. Add an entry to the server directory on your machine that refers to the remote machine you wish to contact (option 1 on the RSF menu).
   
   When adding or changing the directory entry, be sure to press F10 to see all of the optional parameters.
   
   Specify *SDLC for "Connection Method", and press Enter. Fill in the Remote location name, Device name, and Local location name on the server directory entry from the information obtained in step 3 above.
   .
5. Now when you use any RSF command that initiates a request, specify the server directory entry created in step 4 above for the "Server id" parameter.  RSF will then use the appropriate pre-configured connection to communicate with the server.

To contact a remote server machine over a TCP/IP connection:

1. Be sure that TCP/IP is started on your AS/400. You can use the following command to start it if necessary:
   
   STRTCP
    
2. Add an entry to the server directory on your machine that refers to the remote machine you wish to contact (option 1 on the RSF menu).
   
   When adding or changing the directory entry, be sure to press F10 to see all of the optional parameters.
   
   Specify *TCPIP or *TCPDIAL for "Connection Method", and press Enter. Enter the network name or IP address of the remote system.
    
3. Now when you use any RSF command that initiates a request, specify the server directory entry created in step 3 above for the "Server id" parameter.  RSF will then use TCP/IP to communicate with the server.