IMS Network Compression Facility

The architecture of IMS Network Compression Facility (NCF) centers around the Compression Engine and Decompression Engine, which handle the compression and decompression of 3270 data streams, respectively. The Control Module manages the overall operation, configuration, and monitoring of the system. NCF operates transparently, intercepting and processing data streams between the IMS application and the network without requiring modifications to either.

The system uses configuration files to store settings such as compression algorithms and operational parameters. The Command Line Interface (CLI) provides the primary administrative interface for configuring and monitoring the system. The Compression Engine analyzes outgoing 3270 data streams, applies compression algorithms, and transmits the compressed data.

The Decompression Engine receives the compressed data, decompresses it, and forwards it to the IMS application or 3270 device. The Control Module manages the overall process, including logging and error handling. NCF does not introduce new protocols; it works within the existing 3270 communication framework.

Security is handled at the network and IMS levels, with NCF focusing solely on data compression. The system's design prioritizes minimal impact on existing infrastructure and applications, ensuring a seamless integration within the IMS environment.