For mainframe products: Does this run in an LPAR?

iWay Universal Adapter Suite ran on z/OS and required specific subsystems to be present. It typically ran in an LPAR and was dependent on the z/OS operating environment. The adapters themselves were deployed on the mainframe and connected to the target data sources.

What types of APIs did this product expose?

iWay Universal Adapter Suite exposed APIs through ODBC, OLE DB, JDBC, and XML. These APIs allowed applications to connect to the adapters and execute SQL queries against the legacy data sources. The adapters translated the SQL queries into the appropriate format for the underlying data source.

What were the main system components?

The main components of iWay Universal Adapter Suite included the adapter server, the individual data source adapters (e.g., IMS adapter, DB2 adapter), and the client connectivity components (e.g., ODBC driver, JDBC driver). These components communicated using TCP/IP.

What configuration files were used?

The adapters used configuration files to define the connection parameters for the target data sources. These files specified the database name, server address, user credentials, and other settings required to connect to the data source. The configuration files were typically stored on the mainframe file system.

What business problem did it solve?

iWay Universal Adapter Suite provided business value by enabling organizations to leverage their existing mainframe data in new and innovative ways. It reduced the need to migrate or rewrite legacy applications, saving time and money. It also improved data accessibility and integration.

What would happen if an organization did NOT use this product?

Without iWay Universal Adapter Suite, organizations would have faced greater challenges in integrating their mainframe data with modern applications. They would have had to rely on more complex and costly solutions, such as data migration or custom-built interfaces.

What was the typical licensing model?

The licensing model for iWay Universal Adapter Suite was typically based on a per-adapter or per-server basis. The total cost of ownership included the licensing fees, implementation costs, and ongoing maintenance and support fees.

What specific authentication methods were supported?

iWay Universal Adapter Suite supported various authentication methods, including RACF, ACF2, and Top Secret. It used an access control model based on user roles and permissions. Encryption was used to protect data in transit and at rest.

What access control model was used?

The access control model used by iWay Universal Adapter Suite was based on Role-Based Access Control (RBAC). Users were assigned roles, and each role was granted specific permissions to access data and perform operations. This allowed administrators to control access to sensitive data.

What audit/logging capabilities existed?

iWay Universal Adapter Suite provided audit logging capabilities to track user activity and data access. The audit logs recorded information such as the user ID, the date and time of the access, the data accessed, and the operation performed. These logs could be used for security monitoring and compliance purposes.

What level of technical expertise was required to implement it?

Implementing iWay Universal Adapter Suite required technical expertise in mainframe systems, data integration, and SQL. Common implementation challenges included configuring the adapters, troubleshooting connectivity issues, and optimizing performance.

What ongoing operational requirements existed?

Ongoing operational requirements for iWay Universal Adapter Suite included monitoring the adapter servers, maintaining the configuration files, and applying security patches. Staffing requirements included system administrators, database administrators, and security specialists.

What administrative interfaces were available?

Administrative interfaces for iWay Universal Adapter Suite included a command-line interface (CLI) and a web-based console. The CLI was used for configuring the adapters and managing the system. The web console provided a graphical interface for monitoring the system and managing users.

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iWay Universal Adapter Suite

IBM Not Supported z/OS

Legacy Application/Data Access Databases

Vendor

IBM

Product Overview

iWay Universal Adapter Suite's architecture centered around a central adapter server and a collection of individual data source adapters. The adapter server acted as a gateway, receiving SQL queries from client applications and routing them to the appropriate data source adapter. Each adapter was responsible for translating the SQL query into the specific format required by the underlying data source, such as IMS, DB2, or CA Datacom.

Communication between the client application and the adapter server occurred over TCP/IP, using protocols like ODBC, JDBC, or XML. The adapters themselves ran on the z/OS mainframe, typically within an LPAR. Configuration files defined the connection parameters for each data source, including the database name, server address, and user credentials.

Given that iWay Universal Adapter Suite is no longer supported, organizations must migrate to alternative solutions. This involves selecting a replacement product, reconfiguring applications, and ensuring data integrity. Consider products like IBM Data Virtualization Manager or Informatica PowerExchange.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does iWay Universal Adapter Suite do?

iWay Universal Adapter Suite provided a common SQL interface to legacy data sources like IMS, DB2, and CA Datacom. It allowed applications to access mainframe data using standard protocols like ODBC, OLE DB, JDBC, and XML, abstracting away the complexities of the underlying data structures.

Is this a system, application, or tool?

iWay Universal Adapter Suite is middleware. It sits between applications and data sources, providing a translation layer that enables them to communicate. It is not a complete system or application, but rather a set of tools and adapters that enhance existing systems.

What types of organizations used this?

Organizations with significant investments in legacy systems, particularly those running on z/OS, were the primary users of iWay Universal Adapter Suite. These organizations typically needed to integrate their mainframe data with newer applications and technologies.

When should organizations have considered iWay Universal Adapter Suite?

Companies considered iWay Universal Adapter Suite when they needed to provide standard SQL access to legacy data sources without rewriting their existing applications. It was a solution for integrating mainframe data into modern data warehouses, reporting systems, and web applications.

What are the alternatives to iWay Universal Adapter Suite?

Alternatives to iWay Universal Adapter Suite include products like IBM Data Virtualization Manager, Informatica PowerExchange, and Software AG's Adabas & Natural. These products offer similar capabilities for accessing and integrating legacy data sources.

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iWay Universal Adapter Suite

Product Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

What does iWay Universal Adapter Suite do?

Is this a system, application, or tool?

What types of organizations used this?

When should organizations have considered iWay Universal Adapter Suite?

What are the alternatives to iWay Universal Adapter Suite?

For mainframe products: Does this run in an LPAR?

What types of APIs did this product expose?

What were the main system components?

What configuration files were used?

What business problem did it solve?

What would happen if an organization did NOT use this product?

What was the typical licensing model?

What specific authentication methods were supported?

What access control model was used?

What audit/logging capabilities existed?

What level of technical expertise was required to implement it?

What ongoing operational requirements existed?

What administrative interfaces were available?

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