Paul,

> Does anyone have any information on of some sort of SUPPORTED
> middleware package
> that will allow us to pass information (probably messages, possibly files)
> between the NT box and the 3000 running 5.5pp6?  All applications
> on the 3000
> are in COBOL.  We will continue to run the AION application on
> the new NT box
> and communicate to the HP-UX box.


I read your post on the 3000-L. I'm sure you will receive a variety of
suggestions. As always there are details regarding your need which will need
to surface before any of the supported technology alternatives you find can
fully meet your needs. Here are some alternatives.

<plug>

OSCAR

Premier Software provides a middleware alternative which, on the surface,
can meet your requirements. Naturally there are many questions about the
frequency of messages, the levels of guarantee you need in the delivery, the
growth or future plans, etc... But in lieu of these...

Premier Software provides a solution called OSCAR. OSCAR runtime technology
allows for real-time exchange of messages for a variety of platforms (MPE,
UNIX, NT, OS/2). The API's to send/receive messages are in "C" and Premier
provides the necessary libraries for each of the platforms you mention. The
developer uses OSCAR to define messages definitions. OSCAR generates the
necessary sending and receiving programs, specific to the platform and
application type. The API's are routinely used from COBOL (if COBOL is the
"client"), or to encapsulate COBOL.

ACTIVE

There is also another alternative in the Message Brokering domain. Active
Software's ActiveWorks can be used for "request/reply" and
"publish/subscribe". Premier and Active are partners, and the MPE version of
the Active API's is supported by Premier.

ActiveWorks is a "broker-based" technology. This implies that AION (on NT),
HP-UX applications, and the HP3000 all connect to the broker, and publish
their messages. Conversely each can subscribe to one other's messages.

Feel free to contact me if either of these approaches warrants a further
look.

Regards,

Jonathan van den Berg
Premier Software Technologies
fon: 408-257-8757
fax: 408-253-1184
www: www.premiersoft.com