Rumba 2000 improves remote host access

Rumba 2000 plays in a field with well-known competitors such as IBM with its Host On Demand 4.0 and OpenConnect Systems' OC://WebConnect Pro 4.2. While Rumba is a bit pricier than IBM's $169 offering, it competes well thanks to its wide array of connection choices and Graphical Data Display Manager support, which enhances your host's presentation capabilities.

To set up and configure the product, I needed only to install the software in the root publishing directory of my Web server and I was ready to start defining connection documents. The tool automatically provided an HTML Host Configuration document from which to work.

For each connection document I created, I was able to select the type of implementation (such as Host Java) I wanted to use and its associated connection options and behaviors. For my first test, I used Host Java, which allowed me to connect to either an AS/400 or a mainframe-type device using TN5250 or TN3270, respectively. For deployment, I was pleased to find that I needed only to inform my users of the document's URL on the Web server, allowing each user to connect automatically.

Subsequent testing let me create connections to various hosts using both the Host Pro and Host Express connection methods included with Rumba 2000. Although these two options presenteed more robust functionality, they were also a bit larger and required downloadable plug-ins. However, I was pleased to find that either Host Pro or Host Express could handle the connection regardless of the type of machine to which I wanted to connect.

Rumba 2000 Web-to-Host 3.0 has strengthened the case for transitioning from green screens to a Web-based approach. Its nearly effortless software distribution process and top-notch adaptability and scalability make this a tool almost guaranteed to reduce costs.