The 3270 bridge and FEPI
To help you decide between the 3270 bridge technology and FEPI, the following table summarizes the major characteristics.
| START Bridge | Link3270 Bridge | FEPI |
|---|---|---|
| Enabling technology | Enabling technology | An application programming interface |
| Based on application data structure | Based on application data structure | Based on the 3270 data stream |
| Enables optimization due to integral knowledge of the target | Enables optimization due to integral knowledge of target | Easier to create generic driver (data structure is designed) |
| Efficient; no terminal control involved | Efficient, no terminal control involved | z/OS® Communications Server managed connection between source and target |
| Single COMMAREA API and user replaceable program | COMMAREA API | Requires system programming and z/OS Communications Server skills |
| CICS® specific: source and target must be in the same region | LINK, DPL, EXCI or ECI interface supported | Ideal for driving remote applications, not just CICS |
| Driven exit decides method of communication with the client | Client interface is LINK, DPL, EXCI or ECI | Can be freed from the workings of the target; terminal emulation |
| Knowledge of UOW | Standard CICS LINK coordination | No coordination |
| Ideal when the routing is done elsewhere | Supports workload balancing | Sysplex support requires three regions |