Download, Install IBM i ACS (Access Client Solutions)
IBM-i ACS is JAVA based, so it can be installed on Windows, MAC & Linux devices. The legacy IBM Client Access is no longer supported. IBM Client Access & ACS can both be installed on the same PC and live quite happily next to each other.
So what are you waiting for?
ACS Standalone install
By far the easiest way to use IBM i ACS is to simply unzip it to a folder of your choice and then run the ACSBUNDLE jar file:
Once you have downloaded and unzipped, simply double click ACSBUNDLE and launch IBM i ACS immediately
I really like this standalone technique because its easy to roll out to other users and even easier to update - simply copy the new version over the top.
Having said that, IBM recommend a full install because it adds shortcuts and also copies the files to IBM's preferred locations in your PC.
So, if you really want to be a good boy/girl then follow these instructions:
Full Install
Pre-Requisites:
- Installation requires administrative rights on the target PC.
- The target PC or Server must have Java Runtime installed
Java™ is the world's leading programming language and platform ACS is compatible with the newest versions of Java. Java will have to be installed on most Windows machines - you have a few choices for Java runtime installs (these will allow any Java applications to run on your machine)
STEP 1 - Install Java, Java or Java?
Opensource Java Runtime
My preferred solution use AdoptopenJDK from AdoptOpenJDK - Open source.
AdoptOpenJDK uses infrastructure, build and test scripts to produce prebuilt binaries from OpenJDK™ class libraries and a choice of either OpenJDK or the Eclipse OpenJ9 VM. All AdoptOpenJDK binaries and scripts are open source licensed and available for free.
Commercial Java Runtime
Or you can use the commercial Java Runtime from Oracle.
Get the original Oracle Java from https://www.java.com/
One last note, I recommend you spend a few minutes reading the QuickStart Guide before installing IBM-i ACS to gain a proper understanding.
You can find the guide in the folder referred to in step (1) below.
STEP 2 - Download and Unzip IBM i ACS
Unzipped ACS files for IBM I Access Client Solutions Installation folder to your Desktop :
Choose your platform and goto the install folder for that - ie: either LINUX, MAC or WINDOWS. In my case, I will install the 64-bit version by double-clicking on install_acs_64.js in the Windows_Application folder:
Install Prompts
Now you are going to answer a series of questions. If you have your firewall popping up asking "wtf?" simply grant it access:
First question is whether you want to use the good old fashioned green screen emulator
Answer Yes to using 5250 emulation
Select it to be defaults, because, why not?
If your PC already has the conventional IBM Client Access installed, ACS requests becoming the default client. Personally, I would recommend ACS is the default.
Ps: the new IBM i ACS handling of IFS is super simple and slick as FTP
NOTE: my install told me JAVA wasn't installed. This is a big fat lie. Ignore it.
IBM i ACS is installed
Once its installed you can open Access Client :
Want to watch a real time install of some mumbling English bloke installing ACS on his home machine?