TinyTerm

The architecture of TinyTerm is centered around its TN3270 emulation capabilities, enabling Windows-based clients to interact with mainframe systems. The core components include the TN3270 client, the connection manager, and the display engine. The TN3270 client is responsible for handling the TN3270 protocol, which involves encoding and decoding data streams, managing sessions, and interacting with the mainframe.

The connection manager handles the establishment and maintenance of connections to the mainframe, including authentication and security protocols like SSL/TLS. The display engine renders the mainframe output on the user's screen, handling character sets and display formatting. Communication between these components is primarily internal, with the TN3270 client interacting with the connection manager to establish sessions and the display engine to render output.

Configuration files store connection settings, display preferences, and security configurations. These files are typically XML or INI-based and can be edited manually or through the application's settings interface. Security is provided through SSL/TLS encryption, protecting data transmitted between the emulator and the mainframe.

Authentication is managed by the mainframe, using user ID and password. The network requirements include connectivity to the mainframe over TCP/IP, with the TN3270 port (typically port 23) open. Firewall configurations must allow traffic on this port.

The GUI provides a user-friendly interface for configuration and management. Basic logging capabilities are available for troubleshooting connection issues.