Complete Multi-Host Connectivity
for Windows Desktops over SNA and IP

Overview | Features

Product Features

ViewNow Suite is the complete PC connectivity solution for Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT users who want to communicate with mainframe, AS/400, and UNIX hosts. This comprehensive, single-source solution makes it easy to access and share host applications and information through terminal emulation, X Server, NFS Client and Server, and FTP file transfer. The integrated ViewNow Suite combines NetManage's full range of stable, best-of-breed applications into one integrated solution that offers superior performance, centralized administration, and lower cost of ownership. The link-independent implementation of ViewNow Suite supports a wide range of host connections for LAN and WAN networks. So regardless of your network implementation or communications protocol, ViewNow Suite has the right host connection for you. This flexible, multi-protocol solution is especially useful for organizations with IBM host systems that are migrating from traditional SNA communications to a TCP/IP environment.

IBM Mainframe Access

Full-featured 327X, 3287, TN3270, TN3270E, TN3287 and LU6.2/APPC emulation make it easy to access IBM mainframe systems. Enhanced usability features include keyboard editor, color editor, graphical toolbar, PowerPad and HotSpots. The Data Object Recorder automates repetitive host tasks. Users can easily embed or link mainframe data objects into their Microsoft Word file, Excel spreadsheet, or other OLE-compatible document. So every time that document is opened, the mainframe data object will automatically be updated with the most current data value. Users can create shortcuts on their Windows desktops to invoke the mainframe data object directly.

AS/400 Connections

For AS/400 access, ViewNow Suite provides 5250 and TN5250E emulation, SQL data transfer, Shared Folders, and ODBC access to DB2/400. ViewNow Suite leverages AS/400 database and application integrity with Microsoft Office business applications. OpenWizard(tm) and OpenWrite(tm) are high-performance tools that provide simple, secure access to AS/400 data right from the Microsoft Office desktop. OpenWizard downloads AS/400 data directly into an Excel spreadsheet. OpenWrite offers DB2/400 access into Microsoft Word for mail-merge or database publishing. No complex training is required to use these versatile Office tools.

Accessing UNIX Hosts

For UNIX connectivity, a robust set of terminal emulators are provided, including Telnet with DEC VT series support (VT52, 100, 220, 320, 340 ReGIS Graphics, and 420), async communications, WYSE (50 and 60), ASCII and ANSI. Other UNIX connectivity applications include: X Server, NFS, LPR and LPD, and more. Built-in NDS support simplifies setup and administration, and provides better host connections. Usability features include graphical drag-and-drop keyboard remapping, customizable menus and toolbar, auto-resizable fonts, hotspots, and a button pad. Administrators can design customized scripts to automate a wide variety of functions. So now it's easy to control multiple emulation sessions, automate system login, extract host data, and communicate with other PC applications via OLE.

Web-Browser Access to X

PC users now have easy access to memory-intensive X applications running on a central UNIX system. ViewNow supports "Broadway," a Web-enabled technology that lets Windows users access and run X applications from their Windows PC. From the user's perspective, it appears as though the X application is running right on the local desktop. Using a Web browser plug-in, X applications can be remotely configured, managed, and accessed through the browser. Network administrators can create customized Web pages with links to X applications. Users then simply click on a pre-defined link to launch the appropriate X application. This eliminates the tedious task of configuring each user desktop for specific X applications- and minimizes training time.

Easy Application Launch

LaunchNow™ allows users to fast-start host sessions and applications. The LaunchNow menu includes specific configuration data, enabling users to select sessions, destinations, or applications. From any ViewNow application, simply choose LaunchNow to see a list of applications that can be activated. LaunchNow can be displayed as an icon on the toolbar to provide LaunchNow features without activating a ViewNow application.

FTP File Transfer

Two FTP file transfer applications are included: FTP Client and FTP Client Add-in. FTP Client provides a double-pane view that allows users to drag-and-drop between long directory trees to copy files between local/remote or remote/remote systems. The FTP Client Add-in application is integrated into Windows Explorer so users don't have to learn a different interface. Also included is the FTP Server that allows a Windows desktop PCs to be set up as a file server. The FTP Server is integrated with Windows domain security and allows user restrictions to be set by user name or IP address. The FTP Server Connection Monitor gives network managers greater control by enabling monitoring and trouble- shooting of FTP server traffic.

Enhanced Usability

Proven graphical user interfaces provide point-and-click simplicity that makes mainframe access easy for everyone. Client networking applications are integrated with Windows user interfaces. So once users learn the operating system, they've learned how to perform networking tasks. This means fewer troubleshooting calls to help desk resources and lower maintenance costs. Context-sensitive help is available on every user interface control so that users can learn quickly and be more productive. ViewNow Suite offers a wide range of enhanced usability features that increase user productivity, including a keyboard editor, a color editor, a graphical toolbar, and auto-font sizing. Frequently used keys or keystrokes can be graphically represented on the Windows desktop for fast, easy access. PowerPad maps cumbersome keystroke combinations to an on-screen point-and-click pad. HotSpots further enhance the user interface with high- lighted locations that represent selected mainframe functions.

Host Access Manager

The Host Access Manager is the central configuration tool for ViewNow. It provides users and administrators with a convenient interface for configuration of Host Access Objects such as 3270, 5250, and Telnet terminal and printer sessions; FTP and other file transfer sessions; batch transfer requests; and X Client sessions. It can also be used for Workspace management, allowing the administrator to import Workspaces into a user environment or export Workspaces for sharing or troubleshooting. Objects created in Host Access Manager are available from other ViewNow applications or on the user desktop through the use of LaunchNow. Shortcuts can be assigned to session objects, allowing for easy execution from anywhere on the desktop.

Remote Access Manager

The Remote Access Manager is a powerful, remote configuration tool for the system administrator. It provides a consistent, integrated approach to managing user accounts, workspaces and access privileges across a diverse spectrum of resources. The administrator can remotely create and configure host access templates for individual users and groups. This single-point, remote configuration significantly reduces the cost of managing multiple distributed desktops.

AS/400 Quick Connect

AS/400 Quick Connect eliminates multiple steps and allows users to quickly and directly access an AS/400 host. Connection types and options are pre-configured so that the host connection is made simply by double-clicking the AS/400 Quick Connect icon in Host Access Manager.

Wizards and Diagnostics

ViewNow Suite provides Policy Templates that simplify user access controls. Migration Wizards make it easy to migrate from previous NetManage software or upgrade from competitive products. And extensive diagnostic tools are available to diagnose problems and to monitor, audit, and report on user access and network performance.

Migration and Connection Wizards

Unsurpassed NFS Performance, Reliability, and Ease of Use

The NFS client in ViewNow Suite allows users to quickly and easily access resources on NFS servers across the network. It provides the performance advantages of NFS v3, plus the reliability and Windows integration that users need to seamlessly access directories, files, printers, disks, CD-ROM, Zip drives, and other devices. The NFS client is based on NetManage's award-winning InterDrive NFS technology, that has been recognized for its outstanding reliability and performance - especially in high-traffic networks.

Making connections is easy with the NFS Client's rich usability features such as aliasing, integration with Windows Explorer, NIS Automap integration, and Direct NFS. Resources on NFS Servers are easy to find and connect to with aliasing. Instead of entering long, complicated network paths, users can simply connect using shorthand or common names. With NIS Automap integration, users can quickly locate NIS home directory and network aliases without browsing through complicated directory hierarchies. ViewNow NFS Client provides Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT users with quick and easy access to resources on NFS servers.

Create a Direct Path to NFS Servers

For faster NFS file connections, the NFS Client in ViewNow Suite gives users the option to establish a direct path to NFS servers in Windows Explorer. This Direct NFS drive is used to avoid connection conflicts with other network clients in multi-protocol environments.

Ordinarily, when connecting to network resources in Network Neighborhood or Windows Explorer, Windows sends connections through its Multiple Provider Router (MPR) infrastructure. With Direct NFS, instead of time-consuming routing through multiple protocols, the mapped Direct NFS drive searches for or connects to only NFS servers. This unique ViewNow feature shortens connection time and improves reliability by avoiding operating system collisions and eliminating "failure to connect" messages caused by competing network protocols.

Direct NFS extends the Microsoft Universal Naming Convention (UNC) capability by recognizing the reserved Direct NFS path as a direct pointer to the NFS infrastructure, thus avoiding collisions and improving performance for both graphical and command-line applications. Direct NFS also expands the networking capabilities of 16-bit Windows and DOS applications running in 32-bit environments that do not support the Microsoft UNC to allow browsing of network file servers.