The IMS resource adapter is used by Java applications to access IMS transactions running on host IMS systems. The IMS resource adapter is available in a number of Java integrated development environments (IDEs) provided by IBM. Two of these IDEs are WebSphere Studio Application Developer Integration Edition and Rational Application Developer with the optional J2EE Connector Architecture (J2C) feature. The IMS resource adapter is also used at runtime by WebSphere Application Server when a Java application accesses an IMS transaction running on a host IMS system. The IMS resource adapter is also called IMS Connector for Java.
The following figure illustrates the use of the IMS resource adapter during development:
At run time, the IMS resource adapter is used with IBM WebSphere® Application Server. When a Java™ application runs, it submits a transaction request to IMS™ through the IMS component, IMS Connect. IMS Connect can run in the same MVS image as IMS. It can also run in a separate MVS image from IMS, as long as the MVS images are in the same sysplex. The IMS resource adapter communicates with IMS Connect using TCP/IP. IMS Connect then sends the transaction request to IMS OTMA using XCF (Cross-system Coupling Facility), and the transaction runs in IMS. The response is returned to the Java application using the same path. The following figure illustrates the run-time process:
Two IMS resource adapters are provided as part of the J2C feature of Rational Application Developer. IMS Connector for Java Version 9.1.0.1.1 is based on Version 1.0 of the J2EE Connector Architecture and IMS Connector for Java Version 9.1.0.2 is based on Version 1.5 of the J2EE Connector Architecture. This information does not describe the J2EE Connector architecture in general. For information on the JCA architecture and its concepts, see the J2EE Connector Architecture Specification at http://java.sun.com/j2ee/download.html.
See IMS resource adapter APIs for information on the IMS resource adapter's J2C classes and interfaces.
The IMS resource adapter is included in WebSphere Studio Application Developer Integration Edition and the optional J2EE Connector Architecture (J2C) feature of Rational Application Developer for use in the development of Java applications. The IMS resource adapter runtime is a component of the IMS product. It is packaged as a Resource Adapter Archive (RAR) file and can be deployed to WebSphere Application Server for use by J2EE applications. The IMS resource adapter runtime is available for download from the IMS Web site (www.ibm.com/software/data/ims) and is also available for installation on z/OS using SMP/E.
The IMS resource adapter is primarily intended for use by Java applications that submit transactions to IMS. However, the IMS resource adapter can also be used by Java applications that submit IMS commands to IMS.