Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• Copying the spool file stream to IFS

  Instead of printing the spool file to a PC, an easier approach is to copy a spool file to IFS, which makes it available on the PC.  Continue Reading

• Telnet connection repeatedly closes

  If a Telnet connection to the AS/400 keeps closing, the keep-alive settings may need to be set to lower time limits.  Continue Reading

• Changing system CCSID

  If done without attention to detail, changing the CCSID on the AS/400 can lead to very messy database files.  Continue Reading

• Error: CWBC01049

  If you get the error CWBC01049, it can often mean that the Client Access servers haven't been started.  Continue Reading

• How to FTP without knowing the file name

  Using the mget nbor command on the AS/400 when FTPing from a PC will get all the file names starting with gbor to the current library.  Continue Reading

• Why is a printer in pending mode?

  When a printer can be pinged but won't print from the AS/400, how can you determine why the job is pending?  Continue Reading

• Users unable to sign off of AS/400

  When Windows users use option 90 to sign off of AS/400 and they are automatically reconnected, this can be a problem. This can be altered by setting the ENDCNN to *yes.  Continue Reading

• IFS folder error

  If you are trying to FTP a file into an IFS folder on AS/400 and receive an error, the naming format may not be set properly.  Continue Reading

• Creating the correct member type in a source physical file via FTP

  On AS/400, if you use FTP to copy source files from Windows and you need them to be RPGLE type, you can send a remote command to change the type after the transfer is completed.  Continue Reading

• Changing user password expiration

  On the AS/400, if you set QPWDEXPITV to 60 days but want specific users to be exempted, you can specify them and set PWDEXPITV to *NOMAX.  Continue Reading

• User authorities for running a remote procedure on the AS/400

  Running a procedure on another platorm and transferring a file and running a remote command on the AS/400 requires specific user authorities. These don't need to be Admin settings, but certain authorities must be available to make it work.  Continue Reading

• Detecting system changes made by outside IP address

  If you suspect that changes are being made by an external source, you can use an exit point program to monitor the activity and trace the IP address.  Continue Reading

• Revisiting automating email for a backup joblog on AS/400

  If you want to get an email automatically sent to you that includes the backup joblog for your AS/400, Ken Graap outlines the steps you need to take.  Continue Reading

• Primary group authority: How it works

  If you're wondering if primary group authority impacts the system performance of your AS/400, Carol Woodbury provides insight into how this setting works on the System i.  Continue Reading

• Blocking access to SQL line commands

  You may think that blocking access to SQL line commands will protect your data. However, Carol Woodbury warns that object level security is the only real way to keep your data safe from unwanted manipulation.  Continue Reading

• Changing telnet ports: A security solution?

  Changing telnet ports is not a means by which to make your AS/400 servers secure. To manage the TCP/IP settings on the System i, you use the STRTCPSVR command. But you need to know how to manage these settings first.  Continue Reading

• Menu security's relationship to object authority

  On AS/400, if a group of users has been assigned a menu that does not get them to any security functions, they are still able to access sensitive objects because of the *ALL authority to PUBLIC.  Continue Reading

• HIPER PTF installation and cover letters for SF99097

  Should HIPER PTF be installed without Group PTF on an AS/400? Also, how to locate PSP documents including cover letters.  Continue Reading

• Changing the QSECOFR password

  If the QSECOFR password on your system has been incorrectly set, you have to go in and reset it. The instructions for this are outlined in IBM's iSeries Service tools user IDs and passwords manual.  Continue Reading

• Encrypting files or fields on the iSeries

  Encrypting files on iSeries is no trivial undertaking. Using vendor technologies such as those from Linoma Software and nuBridges may be easier than cobbling it all together with IBM tools.  Continue Reading

• Library QUSRSYS not completely installed

  If you receive an error following a QUSRSYS install on AS/400, you may need to reinstall while keeping a backup of the previous library because it contains user data.  Continue Reading

• Delayed printing from AS/400 on Windows 2003 network server

  A delay in printing from AS/400 on Windows 2003 network server is likely because of the default time for the Windows server to accept the incoming connection.  Continue Reading

• Separator pages: Printer generated or AS/400 generated?

  If a print job contains separator page and you don't know if it's because of the printer settings or the settings on the AS/400, you can look at the device configuration settings for Separator drawer and Separator program -- if they are set to ...  Continue Reading

• Tools for printing a PDF from IFS on iSeries

  There are two options for printing PDFs from IFS on the AS/400. One requires a printer that supports POSTSCRIPT printing directly, and the other requires obtaining iSeries Office Integrator from RJS Software.  Continue Reading

• Tray selection for remote printers from AS/400

  Tray selection is equivalent to DRAWER attribute of the spooled file attributes on the AS/400. If there is a problem with which tray is being selected, a custom object WSCST may need to be set up.  Continue Reading

• File transfer DTF "hooks"

  Using DTF client access to transfer files from iSeries to Windows can be tricky if the file contains Polish characters. To ensure the file transfers correctly, make sure that the Windows regional settings are set to the right language, and ensure ...  Continue Reading

• Users not recognized on iSeries when logged in from Windows 2000

  The iSeries Navigator properties control how Windows logs into the Windows server. If the user in Windows is not known to the iSeries (i.e does not exist ) you get an error. Change the properties in iSeries Navigator to use another form of user ...  Continue Reading

• Joining files using SQLRPGLE

  In DB/400, for a join operation returning a single row, the SELECT INTO statement can be used in SQLRPGLE.  Continue Reading

• Querying system catalog tables to determine table alias

  In order to determine the alias of a table in DB2 on i, you can query the system catalog tables. AS/400 expert Kent Milligan shares how.  Continue Reading

• Excluding characters from AS/400 DB2 SELECT statements prevents mapping errors

  In DB2 on AS/400, rows with characters that cannot be converted to a numeric value (A or #) need to be excluded from a SELECT statement in order to avoid a data mapping error when running the INT function on GLSBL.  Continue Reading

• How to use the QQQVEXPL API

  The QQQEXL API does not need to be coded to on AS/400 DB2, instead you may use a Visual Explain tool which transparently uses the API to analyze the access plans for SQL statements and query requests.  Continue Reading

• Monitoring escape messages and using RCVMSG for diagnostic messages

  When an error occurs on an IBM command, the diagnostic messages are sent first, then an escape message, which you can monitor. On AS/400 you see the escape message, and then you use the RCVMSG command to get the last diagnostic message sent to your ...  Continue Reading

• SAVF FTP on AS400 LAN: 504 Binary image transfer required for save files

  Use the FTP subcommand BIN to set up for a binary image transfer prior to conducting SAVF file transfer between AS/400 machines.  Continue Reading

• Restricting specific user command line access

  On i5/OS, to give command line access to users but restrict certain parameter values for some selective commands, Ken Graap recommends that a combination of the "Limit Capabilities" attribute be used in combination with the "Allow Limited User" ...  Continue Reading

• Sending a message to an output file after backup completion

  On AS/400, it may be easier to create a special message queue for backup processes and send completion and/or error messages there instead of trying to write them to spool or to a physical file.  Continue Reading

• Print private authorities (PRTPVTAUT) command for user objects in a library with *public exclude

  On i5/OS, the print private authority (PRTPVTAUT) command allows you to print a report of all the private authorities for objects of a specified type in a specified library, folder or directory.  Continue Reading

• ASP configuration restore

  Configuring auxillary storage pools on the System i5 is necessary before a system restore all.  Continue Reading

• Automatic email for backup job log on AS/400

  How to automatically generate an email after the job log on a System i has completed the backup.  Continue Reading

• Decrease iSeries downtime caused by SAVSYS backup

  It is possible to save time on SAVSYS backups on the AS/400. The SAVSYS command requires that your system be in a restrictive state. The only active job in a restrictive state is the system console. IBM has split the SAVSYS command into three parts,...  Continue Reading

• Changing the default system printer for AS400

  Using WRKSYSVAL QPRTDEV you can change the default system printer for your System i.  Continue Reading

• JDBCODBC functionality -- Java to Excel for complex workbooks

  Java to Excel with the AS400 may be attractive, but if you have complex VBA macros in Excel, the JDBCODBC bridge will not work well for you. A better option may be using the Groovy COM interface.  Continue Reading

• Printing IPDS with overlays to Xerox MFU printers

  Using an AS400 to print IPDS with overlays to Xerox MFU printers can be made easier if you use Host Print Transform.  Continue Reading

• Remote access from behind a SonicWall firewall

  Firewall rules may be preventing remote connections from a PC to AS400. A common problem is iSeries emulation because it requires the signon port to be open (and not just the telnet port).  Continue Reading

• Automating data transfer to iSeries using Client Access

  To automate data transfer through a command instead of GUI, run the RFROMPCB.EXE from an AS400 command line.  Continue Reading

• Deleting iSeries audit logs

  An audit log on AS/400 is a journal, and the data is stored in receivers attached to the journal. These can be deleted, but for future forensic reasons, you'll want to save it before you delete it.  Continue Reading

• Moving to security level 40

  What should be considered before moving a System i machine from security level 30 to security level 40?  Continue Reading

• Using remote AS400 commands in a Windows environment

  RUNRMTCMD is the AS400 implementation of REXEC client and it supports 2000 characters, but the REXEC daemon from iSeries Access only supports up to 1000 characters. To run a long command, such as a SQL Server IS package, you will want to use a ...  Continue Reading

• Overriding the timeout interval on specific terminals

  If you've set your AS/400 job time-out interval to a short period for security purposes, but find it's too short for specific terminals, you need to write a program or get vendor software to do this for you says expert, Carol Woodbury.  Continue Reading

• Setting up personal communications between iSeries and Windows via the internet

  To connect iSeries access emulation over the Internet, connect the Internet to your iSeries, and set the AS400 IP adress on the connection setting in Windows.  Continue Reading

• Listing contents of multiple FTP directories on AS/400

  Learn how to 'append data to the file' with the FTP DIR command, and eliminate the hassle of having to end the FTP session and restart to view multiple directories.  Continue Reading

• Using SQL syntax to override DB2 automatic column name generator on iSeries

  If you don't want to drop and recreate a table to change the internal names in your AS/400 DB2, a special SQL syntax can solve your problem.  Continue Reading

• Chain operation error after converting RPG3 to ILE RPG (RPGIV)

  RPGIV will 'think of' incoming integer fields as binary, and then will redefine them in the program structures as PACKED. So, when you chain a record, the incoming data has to be converted from integer (which RPGIV thinks is Binary) to packed. This ...  Continue Reading

• Making a file with an automatic key in iSeries with DDS keyword

  If you want to create an automatic key using a DDS keyword on AS/400, Kent Milligan explains that any native writes performed against an SQL table created with an identity table will result in DB2 generating identity values.  Continue Reading

• Accessing AS/400 data using Excel ODBC drivers

  There are a couple of options for accessing AS/400 data, from the old way using Client Access ODBC drivers, to Java, to a new application from Groovy.  Continue Reading

• Adding journal tapes to the BRMS media pool on AS/400

  There are a couple of options for adding journal tapes to the backup for AS/400, explains Ken Graap.  Continue Reading

• The SETOBJACC command

  The SETOBJACC command loads data into memory, and with abnormal system end, will not prevent changed data from being written to disk.  Continue Reading

• Determining relationships between tables and files in DB2 UDB

  There is no SQL command that can simply determine relationships between tables and files on your iSeries. If you have referential integrity constraints in place, you can write queries against the system catalog objects such as QSYS2/SYSREFCST to ...  Continue Reading

• Retrieving data from AS/400 into Crystal Reports

  Crystal Reports does not have direct access to data in AS/400, therefore an external stored procedure or an external user-defined function is necessary.  Continue Reading

• SQL Updates with functions

  How to code an SQL UPDATE on AS/400 with mathematical functions is explained by Kent Milligan.  Continue Reading

• Killing option 21 backup midsave

  Is it a backup sin to kill or end the process once an AS/400 system is in the midst of an option 21 backup? The good news is that doing this doesn't destroy files on your disk, but it does make the backup process that has occurred up until the point...  Continue Reading

• SQL statement history storage

  Hitting the wrong button in iSeries can cause a serious headache. If you have exited an STRSQL session without saving and want to retrieve your lost information, you may be out of luck. But Scott Ingvaldson explains where SQL statement history is ...  Continue Reading

• Setting up an automatic reply in the system reply list

  AS/400 systems can use the system reply list to automatically reply, but only if the inquiry message reply attribute is specified as INQMSGRPY(*SYSRPYL).  Continue Reading

• Clearing physical member file records

  If you are trying to clear a physical member file, but get a message that says: FILE *** in LIBRARY *** is in use, what do you do? Scott Ingvaldson provides a quick fix.  Continue Reading

• Drive space management commands

  Helpful commands to manage drive space and view disk status.  Continue Reading

• Group PTFs

  Do you want to know what group PTFs are? Better yet, do you want to know which ones may be installed on your AS/400? Scott Ingvaldson explains what they are and why they exist, and best of all, where to find out which ones you have installed in your...  Continue Reading

• Space offset X'0015FF00' or X'0000000000000000' is outside current limit for object QIGC2424C

  When AS/400 running STOP gives the error message 'Space offset X'0015FF00' or X'0000000000000000' is outside current limit for object QIGC2424C', the value being given to the space pointer is greater than the size of the object, and system stops the...  Continue Reading

• iSeries application display subfiles with other program windows

  In iSeries, the display file for programs may need to be set to DFRWRT(*NO) to display other program windows when using multiple programs jointly. DFRWRT(*YES) tells the workstation controller to 'Defer writing the display formats until you receive ...  Continue Reading

• Searching fields for values

  In AS/400, if you need to find database fields that contain a specific value, in ILE RBG the field to use is D1FIND. The trick is that you have to add code to turn all search terms into uppercase, or the program won't recognize the search term if ...  Continue Reading

• Searching part of a name or address in AS/400

  In ILE RPG code can be written to conduct the search on part of a name or address using the field D#SFLN.  Continue Reading

• Transferring data via FTP on AS/400 systems

  Using the iSeries' built in FTP server to transfer data between two AS/400 systems is explained, with step-by-step instructions.  Continue Reading

• Finding initialization information for LTO tapes in AS/400

  How to find the initialization information for LTO tapes in AS/400 may not be possible without the job log of the job that performed the INZTAP command.  Continue Reading

• How to combine multiple spooled files into a PDF

  Chip Milosch responds to a reader question about combining multiple spool files into a single bookmarked PDF using SpoolFlex.  Continue Reading

• Ensuring sufficient iSeries system backup for data protection

  Ken Graap explains how an option 21 save (full system save) once a month is not sufficient to protect system disk information if only a daily data backup is conducted.  Continue Reading

• Alternatives to ODBC

  If ODBC seems to be slow, it may be because of the SQL server. But alternatives exist, such as the ado.net  Continue Reading

• How to view AFP print spools remotely

  In this ATE response, Chip Milosch explains how to user iSeries Navigator to view AFP spool files.  Continue Reading

• Saving a message from a user's message queue

  ISeries expert Ken Graap explains how to save a message from a user's message queue by using the DSPMSG command or writing an exit program.  Continue Reading

• Backing up System i to a remote non-IBM server

  ISeries backup and recovery expert Ken Graap explains how to use the virtual tape functionality to back up System i to a remote non-IBM server.  Continue Reading

• Copying a physical file back to a spool file

  ISeries expert Ken Graap explains how to copy a physical file back to a spool file.  Continue Reading

• Tracking row changes in DB2 tables

  ISeries database expert Kent Milligan discusses how to track changes made to DB2 tables.  Continue Reading

• Identifying users' system authority

  How do users get the authority to run certain commands? How do you identify those users? System i security expert Carol Woodbury has the answers.  Continue Reading

• Run a stored procedure in AS/400 with limited profile access

  ISeries security expert Carol Woodbury explains how to run a stored procedure in AS/400 while restricting the access of the profile that makes the call.  Continue Reading

• Performing full AS/400 backups

  ISeries backup and recovery expert Ken Graap discusses backup and recovery needs on AS/400.  Continue Reading

• Using a Windows FTP server to pull data from an IFS directory

  ISeries PC/Windows connectivity expert Shahar Mor explains how to use a naming format to pull data from an IFS directory.  Continue Reading

• Using an FTP script to send a text file from AIX to AS/400

  ISeries PC/Windows connectivity expert Shahar Mor explains how to send a text file from an AIX machine on Linux to a remote AS/400.  Continue Reading

• How to FTP an IFS file on AS/400

  ISeries PC/Windows connectivity expert Shahar Mor discusses how to FTP an IFS file to another system.  Continue Reading

• Monitoring logins over TCP/IP using FTP

  ISeries PC/Windows connectivity expert explains how to set FTP exit programs to monitor user activity.  Continue Reading

• An FTP script to get a file from a PC to AS/400

  ISeries PC/Windows connectivity expert Shahar Mor gives an example of an FTP script that will move a file from a PC to AS/400.  Continue Reading

• Viewing the job log of an *ALLOBJ user

  ISeries security expert Carol Woodbury explains how a non-*ALLOBJ user can view the job log of a user with *ALLOBJ access.  Continue Reading

• BRMS backup jobs: Clearing expired save files

  ISeries backup and recovery expert Ken Graap explains how a user can clear expired save files during BRMS backup jobs.  Continue Reading

• Shrinking the BRMS backup window

  ISeries backup and recovery expert Ken Graap discusses how to cut the time it takes to complete a BRMS backup.  Continue Reading

• Completing an unattended Option 21 save to tape

  ISeries backup and recovery expert Ken Graap explains how to do an unattended Option 21 save to tape.  Continue Reading

• Executing a CL command on AS/400

  ISeries backup and recovery expert Ken Graap explains how to use FTP, the QUOTE command and the RCMD command to execute a CL command on AS/400.  Continue Reading

• Removing *ALLOBJ access and raising system security levels

  ISeries security expert Carol Woodbury explains how to smoothly transition to a higher system security level.  Continue Reading

• Dynamic SQL statement in an RPG program

  DB2/400 and DB2 UDB expert Kent Milligan discusses how to substring a character field on an SQL join statement.  Continue Reading

• SQL Server Database and Java

  DB2/400 and DB2 UDB expert Kent Milligan explains how to access SQL Server Database with Java.  Continue Reading

• Identifying large Integrated File System files

  ISeries backup and recovery expert Ken Graap discusses how to find large files in the integrated file system (IFS).  Continue Reading

• Risk associated with *ALLOBJ access in iSeries

  ISeries security expert Carol Woodbury discusses the risks associated with granting users *ALLOBJ access.  Continue Reading

• Copying IFS files with QCMDEXC as SQL stored procedure

  ISeries PC/Windows connectivity expert Shahar Mor discusses how to copy IFS files to AS/400 with the QCMDEXC command.  Continue Reading

• Spool files to PDF with InfoPrint Server

  iSeries Print/Output Management expert Chip Milosch discusses how to create a PDF files using spool files from InfoPrint Server.  Continue Reading

• IBM AS/400 client access and Windows Vista

  ISeries PC/Windows connectivity expert Shahar Mor discusses client access support for Windows Vista.  Continue Reading