Welcome to this lesson on Client Access: The Connection Tool for AS/400, iSeries, and IBM i Systems!
In this session, we’re diving into the essentials of the old version of IBM Client Access, the foundational software that long served as the bridge between users and IBM’s iconic midrange systems—spanning the AS/400, iSeries, and IBM i platforms. Whether you’re accessing green-screen terminals, transferring files, or tapping into database resources, Client Access has been a cornerstone for businesses worldwide.
Client Access is DEAD
IBM Client Access is the OLD LEGACY VERSION and has been fully replaced by the new IBM i Access Client Solutions. This lesson is here for reference purposes, or for anyone that considering how to upgrade from Client Access to ACS.
Today, we’ll explore this legacy software's key capabilities, uncover how it connects you to these powerful systems, and walk through the basics of getting it up and running.
What is Client Access?
The legacy version of "IBM Client Access" refers to the original suite of software tools developed by IBM to provide connectivity and access to AS/400 (later rebranded as iSeries and then IBM i) systems, primarily used before the introduction of IBM i Access Client Solutions (ACS).
Officially part of the IBM Client Access family, this older version—often called IBM Client Access for Windows or simply Client Access—emerged in the 1990s and was widely used through the early 2000s. It was designed to run on Windows operating systems and included features like 5250 terminal emulation for green-screen access, file transfer capabilities (e.g., via FTP or PC-to-system transfers), ODBC drivers for database connectivity, and printer emulation.
Unlike the modern, Java-based IBM i ACS, the legacy version relied heavily on Windows-specific components, such as the Client Access Express or IBM Personal Communications, and required manual installation of components like the Operations Navigator for system management.
Unlike the modern, Java-based IBM i ACS, the legacy version relied heavily on Windows-specific components, such as the Client Access Express or IBM Personal Communications, and required manual installation of components like the Operations Navigator for system management.
While robust for its time, it lacks the cross-platform flexibility and updated features of ACS, making it a "legacy" tool still encountered in older IBM i environments.
When and Why was it discontinued?
IBM Client Access was replaced primarily to address the limitations of its aging architecture and to meet the evolving needs of users in a modern computing landscape. The legacy version, rooted in the 1990s and heavily tied to Windows-specific components, lacked the flexibility to support emerging platforms like Linux and macOS, which became increasingly relevant as IT environments diversified. Its reliance on older technologies—such as proprietary Windows DLLs and less efficient protocols—made it cumbersome to maintain, less secure, and harder to integrate with newer systems and applications. Additionally, the shift toward web-based and Java-based solutions prompted IBM to develop a more portable, lightweight, and scalable alternative.
What replaced Client Access?
Enter IBM i Access Client Solutions (ACS), introduced around 2012 as a successor. Built on a platform-independent Java framework, ACS offered cross-platform compatibility, a simplified installation process (no more bulky Windows-only setups), and enhanced features like improved 5250 emulation, integrated SQL tools, and better support for modern security standards. It also consolidated functionality previously spread across multiple legacy tools (e.g., Operations Navigator, Client Access Express) into a single, streamlined package.
By replacing IBM Client Access, IBM aimed to reduce maintenance overhead, improve user experience, and future-proof connectivity to IBM i systems for a broader range of users and use cases. The legacy version, while reliable for its era, simply couldn’t keep pace with these demands.