TRex is a programmable 2 layer application system which provides a secure TCP/IP communications channel between IBM mainframes and any Java or Windows platform. Our TCP/IP server XPSDaemon is utilised on the host to maintain secure communications with the heterogenous world and legacy transaction subsystems via APPC(SNA). XPSDaemon also provides an online interface for central administration.

Whilst a Java application would use the TRex API directly, a Windows application program can either use the TRex API directly under Win32 or via a DLL bridge. In both cases, the application can control the execution of host-based transactions. The following diagram shows an example data flow between the various components:

The host transaction to be executed is identified by the use of a service name between the TRex application program and XPSDaemon. TRex services are setup in the online administration and contain all information required for XPSDaemon to build a connection to the required subsystem.

To simplify definitions within the host, APPC adapter programs for various subsystems are provided with the TRex package. The required APPC logic is contained in these programs and does not need to be reprogrammed.

Business programs which already exist can also easily be integrated into new applications structures. Data exchange between applications programs is based on a communication area which can hold data in any format and is always available to the applications.

Bidirectional communication is made possible by the implementation of a TRexServer which also allows host applications or host events to initiate workstation applications.

Additionally, TRex offers developers further support with many other features. Examples are the EBCDIC/Unicode translation or the use of host-based authentication services such as RACF.