Chapter 6: Using Service Name Redirection

How service name redirection works

Service name redirection is an optional feature that lets you route client requests for an access service to alternative access service names.

When a client application accesses a service, it specifies an access service name. That name must correspond either to the name of an actual access service or to an entry in the service name redirection file (snrf).

Service name redirection allows you to control access to services using the user profile: requested access service, user ID, and application name. You can assign each user profile to any access service supported by an access service library. The DirectConnect server attempts to match the client request with an entry in the service name redirection file before connecting directly with the access service.

Different users who request the same service name can be routed to different actual access services. For example, three individuals requesting “AS400” could receive completely different access services, such as:

One for decision support
One for copy management
One for online transaction processing (OLTP)

Therefore, you can manage multiple sets of clients with a single Access Service Library. However, you must still configure the sql.ini (NT) or interfaces (UNIX) file to connect clients to the DirectConnect server. For instructions on editing the sql.ini or interfaces file, see the appropriate Mainframe Connect Client Option Installation Guide for your platform.