Accessing the mainframe with TN BRIDGE Host Integration Pack involves the use of the main communication components: the Tn3270 and Tn5250 components.They expose a set of properties, methods and events to handle the exchange of data.

Implements the client TN3270E communication protocol. It connects to the telnet 3270 server that is included in the TCP/IP package for IBM S/3XX Mainframes (if it has TCP/IP support) or to an external gateway TN3270-SNA like Microsoft SNA Server. It supports connecting to a LU pool or specific LU Name. Supports extended Data Stream and IBM 3278 mod 2,3 and 4 emulation.

Implements the client TN5250 communication protocol. It connects to the telnet 5250 server that is included in the TCP/IP package for the IBM AS/400 (if it have TCP/IP support) or to an external gateway TN5250-SNA like Microsoft SNA Server. Supports 24x80 and 27x132 terminal types.

Next, we'll learn about the main programming tasks needed to get connected and exchange data with the mainframe.