Rumba 2000 improves remote host access

by Tim Fielden

December 14, 2000 —

WITH TELECOMMUTING on the rise, providing remote access to legacy systems is
proving to be a headache for IT shops. Many have begun to turn to Web-based host access
solutions, such as the beta version of Rumba 2000 Web-to-Host 3.0 from Wall Data. It
has a simple architecture, broad platform-connection support, and simplified
deployment, making it a connectivity option worth your attention.

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.

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