Abstract

HOB, Inc. commissioned The Tolly Group to evaluate its HOBLink J-Term 3.1, a platform-independent, Java-based terminal emulation software suite. HOBLink J-Term 3.1 is a pure Java application designed for terminal emulation that supports installation of the software on a Web server for centralized administration and access. 

This Tolly Group evaluation examines HOBLink J-Term 3.1, a platform-independent, Java-based terminal emulation suite designed to give Windows and Linux users Web-based access to legacy host applications. Tested from October through December 2001, the product was evaluated for IBM 3270, IBM 5250, and UNIX VT terminal emulation across both LAN and WAN environments, with an emphasis on connectivity, display fidelity, and centralized administration.  

Tolly verified that HOBLink J-Term 3.1 could connect Windows and Linux client systems to IBM zSeries hosts using 3270 sessions, IBM iSeries systems using 5250 sessions, and UNIX servers using VT sessions over both local and wide-area links. The report also measured startup and response behavior. According to the results, host connectivity was established in as little as 1.14 seconds and up to 5.1 seconds, while the shortest measured response time across the Internet was 0.18 seconds, including transatlantic delay between the United States and Germany.  

Functionality testing showed that the software accurately rendered a broad range of host-side display features. Tolly confirmed support for IBM Graphical Data Display Manager (GDDM) graphics, 132-column displays, double-height and double-width characters, and sixels. The suite also supported OfficeVision over IBM 5250 emulation, 132-column VT sessions, and 3477FC terminal emulation for IBM 5250 environments. These capabilities are significant because they preserve the presentation and usability of legacy applications when delivered through a browser-based interface.    

A key architectural advantage highlighted in the report is centralized management. HOBLink J-Term can be installed on a Web server so session setup and administration are controlled centrally rather than delegated to end users. Tolly notes that this object-oriented administration model simplifies account provisioning because new users inherit permissions from their assigned groups. Product specifications also list features such as a 450KB Java applet with smart update, LDAP v3 user import, SSL proxy support, multi-session capability, EHLLAPI and OHIO support, AES-256 encryption with HOBLink Secure, and configurable menus, toolbars, and keypads.    

Overall, the report presents HOBLink J-Term 3.1 as a versatile Web-to-host terminal suite that consolidates 3270, 5250, and VT emulation into a single application while preserving important legacy display and application features and reducing administrative overhead through centralized control.