Handbook of Local Area Networks, 1998 Edition:Applications of LAN Technology Click Here! Search the site:   ITLibrary ITKnowledge EXPERT SEARCH Programming Languages Databases Security Web Services Network Services Middleware Components Operating Systems User Interfaces Groupware & Collaboration Content Management Productivity Applications Hardware Fun & Games EarthWeb sites Crossnodes Datamation Developer.com DICE EarthWeb.com EarthWeb Direct ERP Hub Gamelan GoCertify.com HTMLGoodies Intranet Journal IT Knowledge IT Library JavaGoodies JARS JavaScripts.com open source IT RoadCoders Y2K Info Previous Table of Contents Next Performing Searches To do Archie searches, the user usually must know and enter a server address location as well as master the commands associated with Archie retrievals. When used on a corporate intranet that contains several Archie servers, the Chameleon Archie client can be pre-configured with server addresses as well as different search criteria supported by the organization’s servers. Thus, the use of pre-configured Archie clients can significantly enhance the productivity among organizational employees that need to perform Archie searches. Unlike most Archie client applications that require a user to initiate command-based searches from within a GUI interface, the client included with Chameleon includes most of the search variables within pull-down menus that make the selection of a query, Archie server, and search criteria extremely easy. Web Page Creation Chameleon’s WebSpider is not actually a TCP/IP application, however, it is integrated with Chameleon’s Web browser that uses the TCP/IP protocol stack. WebSpider is a hypertext markup language (HTML) authoring program for creating Web documents. WebSpider lets users format individual characters or paragraphs, insert images, define uniform resource locator (URL) links to other Web pages, and perform other Web page format operations. The link to the Chameleon browser allows users to toggle back and forth between the HTML authoring program and the browser to view changes made to a document. Although WebSpider is satisfactory for creating most Web documents, users may consider other authoring packages, such as HotMetal and Frontpage, that are sold as specialized authoring tools instead of representing a program within an application suite of programs. Host Support The Chameleon Host Access icon group allows users to launch three terminal emulator programs including Telnet TN3270 for accessing IBM mainframes and TN5250 for accessing IBM minicomputers such as System 3/X and AS400. One of the problems facing many organizations is the support required to run dual protocols, such as System Network Architecture (SNA) and TCP/IP, on an intranet. Through the use of TN3270 and TN5250 applications and an IBM 3172 or equivalent TCP/IP gateway, users can convert coaxial cabled PCs to LAN-based PCs that maintain access to mainframes and minicomputers using TCP/IP. Users can convert legacy mainframe access to a TCP/IP environment, which can significantly reduce the level of support necessary for operating multiple protocols on an enterprise intranet. Exhibit 5-4-2 illustrates the Chameleon TN3270 application configured for obtaining a TCP/IP connection to an IBM mainframe located at IP address 198.78-46.1. In addition to supporting a TN3270 connection, the Chameleon 3270 terminal emulator also supports NetWare SAS, Coaxial, Windows NT, and IEEE 802.2 LAN connections. The program can be installed on PCs directly cabled to controllers to familiarize employees with the program before migrating them to access via TCP/IP. Exhibit 5-4-2.  Configuring a Connection to a Mainframe via TCP/IP SUMMARY Organizations should consider seven issues before an intranet is constructed: •  User requirements. What type of tools are needed? What type of Internet access is needed? •  Organizational requirements. What are the technical requirements? What are the financial restraints? What type of security is needed? •  Design. What type of architecture is needed? Is a migration strategy required? How should the Intranet be implemented? •  Training. Should training be hands-on? Should vendor courses be available? •  Promotion. Do employees understand the technology? •  Support. Is troubleshooting being performed? Is a help desk necessary? •  Management. What management tools are necessary? When determining user requirements, communications managers should ascertain what applications they anticipate using on both the intranet and Internet. This information is essential in determining the type of tools that may be required to support their user community. Once the technical requirements are determined, they should be compared against economic constraints. For example, if the cost associated with separate Web servers for marketing and sales departments exceeds the budget, then the technical requirements might be modified for a common server. Because of the importance of including firewalls, proxy servers, and authentication schemes for security, they should be given careful consideration as a separate entity. While training, promotion, support, and management are often overlooked, they are necessary issues and extremely important for ensuring the effective operation of an intranet. By training employees, making them aware of the enterprise intranet and its capabilities, providing user support, and planning the effective management and control of the enterprise intranet, its success can be ensured. Previous Table of Contents Next Use of this site is subject certain Terms & Conditions. Copyright (c) 1996-1999 EarthWeb, Inc.. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of EarthWeb is prohibited. Please read our privacy policy for details.