Creating HCI connection

To use DevX Explorer in order to work with a mainframe system, you must define a Host Communication Interface (HCI) connection and connect the DevX Explorerto a mainframe system. HCI connections you create are stored in the settings.json file in Visual Studio Code. You can share the settings through the settings.json file across systems. All other functionalities such as edit and delete are performed the same way, and it is reflected in the JSON.

To create a new connection  

1. In the left navigation, click (DevX Explorer). The Workbench Explorer page is displayed.
2. Click (Create HCI Connection) present next to Workbench Explorer: Data Sets view. You can also create the HCI connection by using the Workbench Explorer: Create HCI Connection command in the command palette.

3. In the Connection name field, enter a name for the connection and press Enter.

   Important

   The connection name may contain both letters and numbers. You can not enter any duplicate connection name. Once you set the connection name, you will not be able to edit it.

4. In the Host name or IP address field, enter the z/OS host system name or IP address that is running HCI or IP address, where HCI has been installed/present, and press Enter.

   Important

   Validation is done when you press Enter by running the PING command to make sure a successful response is received.

   Following is the validation for the Hostname

   • The Hostname cannot start with a number or any special character 
   • Valid IP range starts from 0.0.0.1 to 256.256.256.256
5.  In the Port number field, enter the port number to which HCI is assigned.
6. In the Choose the connection type field, select one of the following connection types. 
   
   • Unsecure (default)
   • Secure (auto selection)

   • Secure (manual selection)

     Important

     If you have selected Secure (manual selection) and press Enter, you can see the following options:

     • TLS version 1.3
     • TLS version 1.2
     • TLS version 1.1 (deprecated TLS version)
     • TLS version 1.0 (deprecated TLS version)ddeprecatedeprecated
     • SSL version 3.0 (deprecated TLS version)

     We recommend you use TLS version 1.2 or above.deprecatedeprecated

7. Enter the Host code page used for transferring data. If you do not specify any host code, 1047 is used as the default value.
   
   

   Important

   You will not be able to create multiple HCI connections using the same host and port.

8. From the Credential Provider field, select any of the following options:
   • User ID and password: Enter your user ID and press Enter and then enter your password to store your credentials and press Enter again. The HCI connection is created.
   • X.509 certificates: You don't have to enter your credentials. The HCI connection is created.