IBM i setup
Vanthrex needs nothing installed on the IBM i beyond what most systems already have.
1. SSH server (required)
Everything goes through SSH: browsing, transfers, CL commands and SQL.
STRTCPSVR SERVER(*SSHD)
To start it automatically after an IPL:
CHGTCPSVR SVRSPCVAL(*SSHD) AUTOSTART(*YES)
Your user profile needs a home directory in the IFS (for example /home/MYUSER). If it doesn’t exist, create it:
MKDIR DIR('/home/MYUSER')
CHGUSRPRF USRPRF(MYUSER) HOMEDIR('/home/MYUSER')
2. An SQL engine (strongly recommended)
SQL powers the result grid, autocomplete, the dashboard, jobs and messages views, source dates and lock information. In the connection form, keep SQL engine = Automatic and Vanthrex tries these in order:
| Engine | What it needs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mapepire over SSH | Java (licensed program 5770-JV1; a current JDK such as 11 or 17 is recommended) | Best choice. Nothing to install: Vanthrex uploads the Mapepire server JAR to ~/.mapepire on first use and runs it inside your SSH session. It picks the newest 64-bit JDK it finds. |
| Mapepire daemon | A Mapepire server already running (port 8076) | Use when your administrator runs Mapepire as a service. The server certificate is checked on connect. |
| db2util | yum install db2util (open-source package) | Fallback. Source dates, conflict checks and Where used are not available with db2util. |
Check that Java is installed:
QSH CMD('ls /QOpenSys/QIBM/ProdData/JavaVM')
3. Authorities
| To use… | You need |
|---|---|
| Browse, edit, compile | Normal authority to the libraries and source files |
| End another user’s job (lock banner, Active Jobs) | *JOBCTL special authority |
| Reply to QSYSOPR messages | Authority to the QSYSOPR message queue |
| Dashboard and IBM i Services | Authority to the QSYS2 services (most are *PUBLIC *USE) |
4. Network
- Port 22 (or your SSH port) must be reachable from your PC.
- Port 8076 only if you use a Mapepire daemon.
Next: Your first connection