JPH10334046A - System, method and device for interactive internet access to host computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make interactively accessible a data processing application by determining whether a host application can be utilized or not and starting a client/host communication process. SOLUTION: A data processing network 40 includes plural individual networks, which can mutually and synchronously communicate while including LAN 42 and 44. The respective LAN 42 and 44 include plural individual work stations 10. Then, the request of client work station 10 for accessing the host application is received, it is determined whether the host application can be utilized for use or not and a server 58 receives client data from the client work station 10, applies it to the host application, receives application data from the host application and applies them to the client work station 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to computer systems, and more particularly to remote computer users at workstations via the Internet for host computer based data processing applications. And a method and apparatus for interactively executing an application program in a host computer system connected to the Internet or a communication network so that can be accessed interactively.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, the explosive growth of the Internet,
In particular, there has been the growth of the World Wide Web (WWW), one of the major facilities provided for accessing and using the Internet. The WWW
Contains a number of pages or files of information distributed over a network to various servers. Each page or file is a Universal Resource Locator (UR
L). The URL indicates the identity and location of the server machine where the specified page or file resides, as well as the particular file or page that resides on that server machine. Many pages or URs
It is possible that L resides on a single server.

[0003] To use the World Wide Web, a client or user must include an executable search engine, often referred to as a web browser.
Run two software. IBM's WebExp
A web browser, such as lorer or Netscape Communications' Navigator ™, is a useful browser program for use with most personal computer or workstation operating systems. The user interacts with his browser program running on his workstation to specify and select a particular URL to be accessed. This, in turn, causes the browser program to send a request to the Internet system to find the specified URL or page. The request is sent to the specified server identified by the URL.

Generally, a server will respond to such a request, retrieve the requested page, and send the page to a requesting client or user. In this context, the user's workstation interacts with the server in a client relationship. The data and control information flowing between the two are sent according to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). The retrieved data or information page is displayed to the user on the user's workstation display screen. Actions at the client workstation may also cause an application residing on the server to launch on the server (ie, launch the application for execution). One example is to launch a search program to search for World Wide Web pages related to a particular topic.

[0005] Most commonly, data or information on WWW pages is stored in a hypertext markup language (HT).
Formatted according to a language known as ML). Typical HTML languages include text with embedded formatting commands called "tags". Note that tags are used to control font size, font style, page layout format, and for other display controls such as highlighting. The client station's web browser will parse the HTML script to display the text contained in it according to the HTML specified format. In addition, the data HT
The ML coded page may include, for example, a reference to another URL that identifies the other server, and a small name, such as an image, video segment, or audio file, for naming, for example. Pages for multimedia data may also be included. The web browser retrieves and displays or plays data in response to such embedded reference symbols when the embedded reference symbols are selected or activated by a user. Alternatively, such multimedia
The data can form its own WWW page without any surrounding HTML text, and is essentially searchable as a multimedia display.

[0006] Most WWW pages also include one or more references to other pages, which do not need to be on the same server as the original page. Such a reference is generally made by the user selecting a particular location on the screen and making some selected location display (typically by clicking or double-clicking a mouse control button). It can be activated as follows. These reference signs or locations are known as "hyperlinks" and are generally flagged in a particular way by the browser (i.e., the browser may, for example, highlight hyperlinks and associated text in different colors or intensities). Can be). When a user selects a hyperlink, the referenced page is searched,
Used to replace the currently displayed data page.

[0007] A great deal of information on the topic has been published, for example, more information on the HTML language and the World Word Web can be found in Douglas McArthur, Doctor's Dobs Journal, December 1994, pages 18-32. "World Wide Web at
HTML "and John Wiley in New York
T by Ian Graham, published in 1995 by
he HTML Source Book ".

[0008] As far as described, and broadly, as currently practiced, the World Wide Web essentially consists of pages downloaded from a server to a client workstation. It suffers from the disadvantage that it is passive and does not normally contain code running on the client machine. This means that the server cannot properly offload any processing associated with the client-server interaction on the client station. Thus, if the client completes a form with, for example, the user's telephone number, some formatting checks (such as the number of digits in the telephone number) must be performed in the data processing application running on the server. . As a result, first, a large amount of processing is imposed on the server, and second, if there are any errors in the data entry that need to be corrected, time is spent on extra communication between the server and the client. It is. In addition, the inability of the server to download code for the client to execute significantly limits the types of applications that can be created to take advantage of World Wide Web facilities. Fortunately, this problem has several possible solutions.

[0009] Recent developments, particularly those based on the Java ™ programming language and technology from Sun Microsystems, have attempted to overcome the above difficulties. The technology first includes a new language that is similar in content to the C and C ++ languages,
Second, it includes a virtual machine for executing programs written in that language. Programs written in the Java programming language are compiled into a bytecode format, which is then interpreted in terms of execution time for the Java virtual machine itself. A Java virtual machine translates byte code into instructions for execution by an underlying physical computer processor (ie, a processor that is to execute a given Java program).

[0010] Programs written using the Java language are downloadable via the WWW in the form of byte codes for execution in a Java virtual machine residing on a client. Such a program is known as an "applet". Using Java technology to download applets through the World Wide Web offers two major benefits. First, the applet is generally interpreted by the Java virtual machine embedded in the operating program itself, or in the executable code of a web browser located on the client station, so that the applet and the platform on which it is run May be irrelevant. Each client machine may be resident in one way or another for this purpose.
a will have a copy of the virtual machine. As a result, the server does not need to have different versions of the code to download to the client according to the requirements of each operating system and machine.
Thus, only a single version of the relevant code need only be written and maintained. This makes application development and maintenance much easier for software developers.

Second, since the applet runs on a virtual machine instead of a physical machine, the security of the physical system is greatly improved. For example, when code is downloaded over a network, there is always a risk that a malicious person may accidentally carry harmful code, or that user data or programs residing on a client workstation may be compromised. The virtual machine can monitor the operation of the applet. If harmful code or activity is detected in a virtual machine, their actual execution on a physical machine can be easily prevented.

The concept of downloading software from a server to a client in the form of byte code for execution by a virtual machine is described, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,347,632 by Java.
Note that it has been known for a long time, regardless of the technology itself.

To invoke the execution of a Java applet, an HTML text web page may include a tag <applet> identifying the URL containing the applet in H.
Will include in the TML tag language standard. The browser at the user's workstation responds to this tag by retrieving and running the applet from the specified URL.
A pair of corresponding <app in HTML format
<> included within <let> and </ applet> tags
The aram> tag will also be defined. The tag can be used to specify parameters that are sent to the applet at run time or at run time. Note that applet tags and parameter tags are not formally incorporated into the HTML standard, but may nevertheless be recognized and used by many web browsers. Additional information on Java technology and the applet itself can be found, for example, in 1996 at Sams.Net Publishing, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
Published by LauraLemay and Charles Perkins
It can be seen in the book "Teach Yourself Java in Twenty One Day".

However, the process of downloading an applet to a client for execution on a workstation is not without its difficulties. One of the difficulties with this method is that the amount of information contained within the applet tag is limited. This can lead to problems if the user has to decide whether to download the particular applet referenced in the HTML page. For example, the user may not want to download applets that are particularly large and slow to carry over the network, or the application may download a newer version of the Java virtual machine than is currently installed on the client workstation. Will silence if needed. A second drawback with applets is that host-based applications previously commonly accessed by workstations in many users' networks and directly connected through routers and other communication exchange and message processing mechanisms. -Programs usually do not include those applets.

From a user's workstation for execution on a mainframe computer, a host
Network access to base application programs is a process that has long been familiar to those skilled in the art, but has not previously proceeded via the Internet and the World Wide Web. The reasons for this vary. First, general access to the public is gained through the World Wide Web simply by specifying the URL of the desired resource. However, host-based computer applications are generally "license-only" programs and are not made freely available to the public, but only to authorized users. In the context of a carefully controlled communication network between the user's workstation and the host computer, authorized access programs, time-based rental or leasing programs, and security and unauthorized use detection programs are commonly used. Although used, they are unsuitable for general public access granted to all scenarios that are dominant in the Internet domain.

Second, interaction with a host-based computer application by a user at a remote location generally requires the establishment of logical and physical connection links, and exchanges between the user and the application program. Introduce the concept of "session" or history. Note that during the exchange, session linkage must be maintained so that the host-based computer program maintains communication with the user. The Internet domain does not always provide fixed and continuous linkage, and often operates based on request and response formats. In that format, once a request is made, no communication occurs until the request is received by the intended responder.

The asynchronous nature of requests and responses and the lack of unique connection paths (paths to and from a given location can widely change the communication between two entities in the Internet. A) exacerbates the problem of maintaining a session for a historically correct conversation record between a remote user and a host-based application at a client workstation. Indeed, the identity of the actual user may not be known at all on a host-based workstation. For example, if the browser or server does not supply browser application requests to the host-based application, there is no continuous interaction, just a request or query followed by a response or download. There is no continuity of logical or physical connections, and the connectivity link will have to be reconfigured for any further response and request scenarios. Such an interaction mode, particularly an interaction mode of the application program with a plurality of potential clients or users, is because the host generally does not know the identity of the requesting client, and the client generally does not know the entire host program and Since there is no capacity and capability to download data (or authorization to do so), and therefore historical activity is monitored and maintained to guide interactive request-response scenarios, at the host location Or maintaining uniqueness and historical session records at a workstation creates a very complex problem.

In the end, in order to prevent unauthorized access or to protect the user from the possibility of unnecessary access, there is a connection between the user and the Internet or between the Internet and some resource such as a host computer. Many users and systems have set up what is called a "firewall" that prevents a full interactive setup of the communication interaction between the user and the application program. Since the actual physical location and identity of the user or application program are unknown to the parties at each end of such an exchange, it is not possible to address messages directly to each other.

These problems become significant when the client does not want to download application programs from the server, but wants to access them interactively with respect to host-based resources. Further, such host computers typically run very large application programs, such as a central database, high speed image intensive editing, and other multimedia processing functions such as 3D graphics. It provides the necessary very large capacity data processing and processing loading functions. Further, such host-based applications may be too large to download physically or cannot be downloaded due to license usage restrictions. There are a number of legacy legacy host-based business and data processing applications, and for remote users utilizing the Internet and the World Wide Web, the physical It is most desirable to facilitate interactive access and their enforcement without compromising security and access and license restrictions.

[0020]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above known difficulties in the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method, system, and apparatus for enabling interactive use to occur between a computer or an application program running on a host computer and a client at a remote workstation.

Another object of the present invention is to manage the exchange of interactive processing information between a remote client and a host-based application program in such a manner as to maintain the security and the like of a firewall communication barrier. In providing an improved server.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved host application having facilities for communicating and interacting with a server in a World Wide Web and Internet environment.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved client client for interactively communicating with a remote host computer based application via an internet server facility.
To provide a computer system.

[0024]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above objects, and yet other objects not specifically recited, are provided by the present invention in that the remote client and the remote host application program are provided in a manner that is transparent to the remote client and remote host application programs. Provide an improved server with interactive communication management to facilitate the exchange and transfer of requests and data between remote host application programs, and to be interactively operated and available through Internet facilities This is achieved by making modifications in a host-based data processing application that is configured for use. The server comprises computer-executable program steps that enable a unique identification token to be assigned to a client workstation requester in a host-based application program response. The token is used by server and host applications,
Identify clients to properly simplify and transport data and requests between the entities that communicate with them. In addition, the client or workstation browser, or operating system, accesses and communicates with the server to initiate and maintain a dialog with a remotely located application program at a location unknown to the requesting client. Computer-executable program steps to facilitate the delivery of a request.

In the preferred embodiment, a browser or operating system on the client workstation
An applet may be provided on the client workstation to allow the system to make requests to the server. On the other hand, the server itself responds to the request from the client user by creating and assigning unique tokens to identify a communication session with the designated client user, and a remote Initiating a request for a host-based application and providing a token with the request to launch the application, receiving a response from the application, and utilizing a shared pointer to memory to make them available. For example, comprising improved computer-executable program steps including steps for providing to identified clients or users. Therefore, the server
(1) working for a client-to-server communication process; (2) working for communication from a client destined for the host application; (3) between the host application and the server. Comprising an executable set of program steps including: handling communication; and (4) handling communication from an application at a host intended for the client.

[0026]

1 to 8 show a preferred embodiment.
The present invention will be described with reference to the drawings in FIG.
The figures provide their utility and usefulness in relation to the physical environment described briefly with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 first.

Referring to FIG. 9, there is schematically illustrated a representative workstation or personal computer hardware environment in which the present invention may be implemented. As shown in FIG. 9, such an environment includes a typical single user workstation 10, such as a personal computer, workstation, or network computer. The workstation may have memory and associated peripherals, including a communication adapter or modem for accessing the Internet, a LAN, or other extended environment. The network computer or workstation 10 generally includes a microprocessor 12 and a bus 14, which connects the microprocessor 12 with memory and other components of the workstation system, and in accordance with known techniques. Communication between people. A workstation, network computer, or personal computer 10 generally comprises
A user interface adapter 16 is included for connecting the microprocessor 12 to one or more various interface devices via a bus 14. Such devices are well known and include a keyboard 18, a mouse or other selection cursor device 20, and a voice recognition device with a touch-sensitive screen, digitized entry pads, and appropriate voice recognition program code in the memory of the processor. And any other type of interface device 22 including the like.

The bus 14 also connects a display device 24, such as an LCD screen or CRT monitor, to the microprocessor 12 via a display adapter 26. The bus 14 also connects the microprocessor 12 to a memory 28 and a permanent storage device 30 including a hard disk drive, tape, disk, CD-ROM, and the like. The workstation 10 communicates with a communication network via a communication adapter or modem 32, as well as other computers and computer networks. These computers and computer networks may be accessed physically by switched connections and direct cables, or logically through distributed communication network facilities with variable interconnect links that change over time. Such an environment is representative of the Internet and the World Wide Web, where many computers, workstations, and servers can communicate with one another. The workstation 10 may be associated with such other computers in a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN), or may be configured to enable communication with another computer in one network. May be clients in a typical client-server arrangement that exists in the Internet and WWW configurations. Similarly, as already mentioned, workstation 1
0 may be a network computer, but requires its own hard disk drive or persistent storage commonly found in most common computer workstations and personal computers, or requires a complete operating system do not do.

Referring to FIG. 10, a schematic diagram of a typical data processing network representing a portion of the Internet network or the like is shown as network 40. The data processing network 40 includes LANs 42 and 44
And a plurality of individual networks that can communicate with each other asynchronously. Each of LANs 42 and 44 includes a plurality of individual workstations 10. Alternatively, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, a separate LAN 4
2 or 44 includes a plurality of intelligent workstations, personal computers, or network computers coupled to a host processor that may have resident application programs. A plurality of mainframe computers, such as computer 46, can be connected to a LAN by a physical or logical communication link 48 (ie, the Internet or the World Wide Web) as shown in FIG.

Main frame computer 46 may be implemented in any type of architecture known in the art and may include a number of host resident application programs. The mainframe computer is also connectable to a storage device 50 which may serve as a remote central storage device for the LAN or as a database accessible from the LAN. The LAN itself may be physically or logically connected to the Internet or the world through subsystem controllers such as controller 54.
It can be coupled to a wide web communication link 52 and to a communication link 56 to a gateway server for ultimate access to the Internet or other local or remote area networks and workstations in a WWW environment. Gateway server 5
8 is preferably a separate computer or intelligent workstation, L L in FIG.
Serves to link AN 42 to LAN 44.

If the mainframe computer 46 is LA
It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the location can be located at a large geographic distance from N44 and that the LAN 44 can be located at a significant distance from LAN42. For example, a mainframe computer 46 containing a central database and application programs, such as a data mining engine, is located, for example, in New York State, while
AN 44 may be located in Texas and LAN 42 may be located in North Carolina. All of these facilities may be interconnectable or physical networks that use logical addressing so that they are independent of any particular physical communication link technology available. That is, these elements are not compatible with today's Internet or the Internet, where many computers, servers, and workstations all have free access to each other via telephone access links using modems and access control computers operated by access providers. It can be used in the same manner that the World Wide Web facility is launched.

The present invention is generally embodied as executable software programming code on a processor acting as a server in such a network. The computer's executable code is stored on some type of persistent storage, such as the persistent storage 30 of the workstation 10. However, in a client / server environment, software programming
The code will generally be stored by a storage device associated with the server computer, such as the storage device 50 associated with the computer 46 when the computer 46 operates as a server in FIG. The programming software, which is an executable program step or programming code in which the present invention is embodied, may itself be a floppy disk, a cassette tape, a hard disk drive, a CD-ROM, a programmable ROM, etc. It can be implemented in any of a variety of known media for use by such data processing systems. In fact, the code may be distributed to the user through such media for download and use by the user, or from a memory or storage device of one computer system to any of various types of communication networks and other Distributable to users via a computer system. Techniques and methods for using software program code in a machine-executable form on a physical medium, and techniques for distributing or locally embodying the code via a network are all well known. This will not be described further in the present application.

As a typical background to the present invention, FIG.
10 and when accessing a network server, such as server 46 in FIG. 10 via the communication facility, the individual user at the workstation 10 as shown in FIG. Suppose you want to interact with existing host-based data processing applications by using the facilities of the Internet, including. The communication facility includes a telephone network, a gateway server and a communication link, a controller, and a host application generally shown in FIG.
Computer 4 operating as a computer system
LA for the ultimate host computer such as 6
N may be included. The gateway server 58 as shown in FIG. 10 allows users in the work station 10 and the local area network 42 to access their data, files, or files by unauthorized users from outside the local area network 42. Fire to keep programs from being accessed
A wall protection program or routine may be implemented. Similarly, the host computer 46 may provide remote access to a LAN or server to protect its data, files, and applications from access by unauthorized users, or as shown by storage device 50 in FIG. Firewall protection may be implemented to prevent unauthorized access to the central storage device.

For reasons already mentioned in the background of the present invention, the physical system may be as shown in FIG. 10, but from the workstation 10 at the host computer 46 through the internet facility and existing firewall protection. The actual access facility to the running host application may be the user at workstation 10 (has no authorized access, or host computer 46).
Does not even know the location of an existing application), but nevertheless, to perform interactive data processing tasks with an application program resident on the host computer 46, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Previously, it was impossible with an interactive mode of being assisted by a server such as 58.

The conventional workstation 10 has an MVS
If the host computer system is not running a web server as in the Internet environment,
Browsers have not been available to establish interactive sessions with host applications running on MVS or other computer systems. An MVS system in the prior art would allow the establishment of a communication and processing session between a remote user and a given application program only when the application program and the MVS system are running on the same computer. Of course, such an arrangement would require distributed Internet WWW access because of the cost of providing a large number of network servers, essentially at the cost of each host computer facility for host applications residing thereon. There is little room to accept environmental requirements.

Further, even in such an environment, to protect resident application programs from unauthorized use and access via the Internet from various potential users and utilizing browsers at the workstation. In addition, complex access authorization facilities will be required at each and every host facility. When a network server recognizes a request for a given URL in a typical Internet environment, it allows any browser to access applications on a host computer running on the same computer as the network server. All that is required of such a user would be the URL of the desired application. In general, the server only knows the physical location of the requester in the network, not the actual user identities or their actual authorization levels for accessing and using the application program.

In order for the present invention to be useful, for an application program requested to be used interactively, any server or browser that knows where to access the requested URL can be accessed. It would be desirable to facilitate access through the Internet from any route. This is a place behind an Internet firewall,
Allows you to install a computer running the desired application. In that case, the appropriate access parameters for accessing the application program behind the Internet firewall are provided to the network server in a secure manner and the individual network workstation users and their browsers Protected from. For example, the desired UR
Knowledge of L (eg, available desired host
A given network user with (from browsing the network to the facility with the base application) will give the request using the identified URL from the workstation browser. The network server receives the URL request and receives the desired application
Before identifying the identity of the program and invoking the host-based application, a request for further parameters, such as a suggested proper authorization from the user, can be invoked at the query workstation. Alternatively,
When the network server processor receives a request for a URL, an applet (in the browser) that instructs the user to provide an authorization code, a billing code, etc. before the application program is allowed to access the requested URL. May be distributed instead.

A user at a given workstation as shown in FIG. 10 interacts with a typical host-based application program such as the Interactive System Productivity Facility (ISPF) provided by IBM Corporation. Let's assume a typical example of wanting to do so in connection with the Internet environment. Note that the application program is typically a complex screen panel running on an MVS operating system on a host computer or mainframe computer such as computer 46 in FIG.
Presentation and editor. The gateway server 58 in FIG. 10 is assumed to operate and be programmed as a network server in the present invention. The various functional processes to be implemented in the workstation 10, the network server 58, and the host computer 46 with the application programs will now be described in sufficient detail, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention. I will.

The overall operation of the present invention is a known UR for accessing a given application running at any location in the Internet at a given workstation 10 that the user does not need to know.
L, the user connects to the network server 58 using a browser running on the processor 12 of his workstation 10. On the other hand, the server 58 running its executable process in accordance with the present invention may generate and assign a specific unique identity token to the client 10 that has requested the service, or respond to the receipt of the URL for authorization parameters. An applet or approval security request may be sent to the user.

Alternatively, the applet may instruct the user to supply the required authorization code or charge code to network server 58 as parameters for inspection and use. At the end of this interaction phase, the server 58 sends the requested application in the host MVS system by sending the assigned user's token to the desired application as one of the start parameters when invoking the application. Will start at a location known to the server (or protected from the user at workstation 10). In response, the desired application starts and the server 5
8 will be connected to a server 58 that requests that it be logically connected with the client known by the received token. On the other hand, the memory of the server 58 uses a shared logical communication port number for the client and the MVS or other host operating system as one way to match the data sent from the application with the request from a given client. Will be used to send data to and from applications running in the environment.

In connection with the preferred embodiment, the applet is
Assume that it runs in a browser on the client workstation 10. It does not matter whether the applet is always present or delivered in response to a request from the user at the workstation to the server 58. The initial process that runs on the client workstation when the applet is invoked is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, the client applet starts at block 101 and at block 102 obtains the necessary parameters from a web browser running on processor 12 of workstation 10 as shown in FIG. These parameters may include the identity of the user, the appropriate authorization or billing code, or other parameters needed to send a valid request to the server 58 of FIG. Generally, HTML data, including the applet and its parameters, will be sent from the server to the browser. In block 103, the client applet is for auto-connection approved by parameters for the desired application obtained by the browser from the applet coming from the network server, or the application is for unrestricted use on the Internet. So determine whether automatic connection is generally allowed. If the result of the automatic connection query is found to be “yes” in block 103, the client applet process sends a connection request to the server, as shown in block 104.

However, if there is no auto-connect parameter as a result of block 103, then at block 106 a further indication will be generated and input will be requested by the user. For example, an authorization code, a billing code, etc. can be requested at block 106, where:
By the process steps in block 104,
Sent as a connection request to the net server in block 105. As indicated by block 107, a response from the net server is awaited. The response includes further indications regarding parameters for the desired communication authorization token or expected information. Block 109 tests the response received at block 107 to see if the connection was accepted at the server, and if the answer is "no", the user is notified at block 112 of the error. Then, at block 110, the user is asked if he wishes to attempt a reconnection, and if so, the user provides input to the reconnection test block 113. If the answer is that reconnection is undesirable,
If the application terminates at block 114, but the answer is "yes", some additional information is obtained from the user and again sent to block 104 via block 106 to generate a connection request.

However, when the connection was accepted by the response received at block 107 and it was tested at block 109, application data from the net server was received at block 108 and shown at block 108. As indicated, processing of the data will be directed until the end of the routine or the halt of operation by the user. At that point, the user is again instructed to determine if reconnection is desired, as shown at block 110, and at block 179 the user responds with an input to block 113, as shown. May be.

All of the above functions are preferably performed in machine-executable program process steps provided to the client workstation 10 where the user resides, but are shown in FIG. 10 if desired. May be performed by the network server 58 as described above. Normally, for use by a typical browser program at the client workstation 10 on the Internet, these functions shown in FIG. Preventing wasted communication traffic would be even more effective.

Turning to FIG. 2, the general flow of operations performed in its processor at network server 58 by executing machine-executable program steps is shown. The server is started at block 115 and reads configuration data from a configuration file in storage 117 and provides configuration data for setting up operations at the server, as shown at block 116. Block 1
At 18, a client thread or process is started at the server and various available host application applications according to configuration data from file 117.
Manages requests from clients to connect to programs, etc. At block 119, the server proceeds to FIG. 5 for managing the communication between the server and the requesting host application.
Start the application processing thread or process detailed in FIG. 3 as detailed in FIG. At block 120, the network server displays the status of its system, block 1
Ready to process the request or user interaction until stopped at some point in the future, as shown at 21.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main thread of the network server process performs certain functions, such as: First, it is its configuration file 11
7 to obtain general server information. The configuration file contains the application port to receive application requests, the maximum application startup wait timeout parameter for all applications waiting for clients, and the default number of applications for any particular application name that can wait for clients at one time. Application files, network files, the default number of application maximum wait times and the location of application-specific information needed to launch the application
A system file that is the location of system-specific information for operating the server, and a workstation maximum timeout parameter for identifying the workstation port for client requests and the maximum timeout for clients waiting to connect to the application. is there. It will also get specific information for each application for which the server supports access. Application-specific application information includes any application defaults, the system to run the application,
Includes the default (if it needs to be started), and the maximum number of waiting connections for an application with a given name that can wait for client input at any one time. The main thread will also obtain system-specific information for each system, including the system address for the requested system if different from the system name.

FIG. 3 illustrates the operations and sub-processes performed by the network server processor to set up and manage incoming requests from client workstations. The client thread or operation process starts at block 122 and initiates a wait for a client connection request at block 123. When a connection request from a client applet is received, it will be examined at block 124 and will cause information about the requested application to be retrieved. Then, at block 125, a test is performed to determine if the requested application is currently connected by examining the contents of the application pending connection table 126. If the answer is that the application is currently connected, a client communication thread as shown in FIG. 4 is started at block 127 and the server's client thread waits for more client connection requests. The process returns to block 123.

If the contents of the application queue connection table at block 126 determine that the application is not currently available at block 125, the application is started or not started as indicated at block 126. If the application should not be started at this point because the application has not yet been requested by the user to start, block 126 indicates the start of the client communication thread at block 127 and further at block 123 Wait for client communication. To begin as determined in block 126,
When the requested application is requested, the job control language for the requested mainframe or host application is obtained from the job control language file (JCL) 128 at the server, and the user identifier, token, and server Customized by port number. A response from the mainframe must be provided, the job control language load is delegated to the job resident job execution system (JES), and the host is requested as indicated in block 131. Start processing applications.

As shown in FIG. 3, a server-client thread allows a client to connect to a client port and assign a unique connection token (sequential number or generate a CRC remainder for the client's application request) to that client. (Which can be generated in any way, such as to do so). It is the name of the desired application, the maximum time to wait for the application to start, a flag indicating that if the application is not yet connected it should be started by the server, and the application is started Connection information is also obtained from the client, including optional information such as the address of the system to be and optional application request information including the user ID and password if needed. It also determines that if the flag indicates that the application is not available and the application needs to be started, it sends a request to start the application to its designated system.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a sub-process in a network server for managing communications with a client workstation. The client communication process thread is started at block 132 and a determination is made at block 133 as to whether the requested application is currently available by checking the contents of the application pending connection table 126. Will be If the application is not currently available, a check is made at block 134 as to whether the timeout has expired, and if not, block 13
At 5, a wait time increment is established. In doing so, the process loops back to block 133 until the timeout to check for availability has expired or becomes available. that time,
The output to block 134 notifies and disconnects the client that the application is not available, as shown in block 138, and blocks 14
0, along with a notification to the client applet
End of operation of this thread is block 139.
It is performed in. This sub-process is replicated at the server for each individual active client.

However, if at block 133 it is determined that the application is available, the client and application are notified that a connection has been established at the server, as shown at block 136, and at block 144 the Send a connection notification to the application communication thread. Moreover, the server starts reading the data from the client when the data is received, block 141
Determine if a disconnect has been requested, as shown in. If the answer is no, the data received from the client is sent to the application at block 145 as data to block 146. It is also for applications on the host computer in a continuous loop process as indicated by a return to block 137. When disconnection is finally requested by the client applet and detected at block 141, a test is made at block 142 as to whether the application is still connected, and if the answer is "yes", Notification to the application communication thread running on the server as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is generated as shown in blocks 143 and 144, and in block 139 the thread of operation for communication with the client. Ends.
If the application is still not connected when the test is performed at block 142, the thread only terminates at block 139 and the application need not be notified.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a sub-process or thread of operation at a server for managing communication with an application.
Server Application Thread Blocks 147
And at block 148 awaits a connection from the application and the host system. The connection request coming from application block 149 will be detected, and information from the connection request from the application is retrieved at block 150 and updates the application table at block 126. The request is sent to block 151 to determine if the maximum number of allowed connections has been reached according to the configuration data for this application, and if the answer is "yes", as indicated in block 153. , The application must be notified to disconnect, but the answer is "no"
If so, the application is added to the application waiting connection table in file 126 and the application communication thread (FIGS. 6 and 7) is started as indicated by the operation of block 152. In this way, available applications that have already been started are added to the application queue connection table as long as they still have the facility for additional connections for the service, and this information is used for server-to-client communication. Figure 3 for management thread and client communication thread or subprocess
And as shown in FIG.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a communication sub-process or thread for communicating from an application to a client through a server is shown. This process also occurs at the server and begins at block 154 where the communication thread is started. At block 155, the server determines from the notification received from block 163 whether the client is connected, and if the answer is "yes", it notifies the application of the connection and returns to the identified application Remove one placeholder from the application connection queue table, thereby reducing the number of available connections to that application by one. The application is notified of the client's connection by sending a token to the application in block 158 as indicated in the notification provided from block 156. Following this, the reading of all data coming from the application is checked at block 159 to determine if disconnection was commanded by the application.

If disconnection is not commanded by the application, all data received will be
5 is sent to the client in a continuous manner at block 164 as data to be sent. The disconnection command from the application in the host is finally block 15
When detected at 9, a determination is made at block 160 as to whether the client is still connected. If the answer is "yes", block 161 notifies the client communication thread of FIG. finish. When the test was performed at block 160, if the client was no longer connected, the thread simply terminates and no client notification is required.

Returning to block 155, if the client is not detected as connected, an increment is made in block 166 to wait for the client connection notification until the timeout expires or the client connection notification is received. . Block 1
If a timeout expiration is obtained at 67, the application at the host will be notified of the disconnection. Then, since this connection was not taken or used, the placeholder must be removed from the application waiting connection table 126 table.

Referring to FIG. 8, the operations performed as sub-processes in the host application itself are shown. When the application is started, as indicated at block 169, to start via the modifications to the JCL made at block 129 of FIG. 3 and to obtain parameters and tokens from the server as indicated at block 170 To be ordered. If the token and parameters match the requirements of the application, as shown in block 171,
A connection request will be sent to the server. that is,
This is done by sending the request to server 172 with the token received from the server, and a response is awaited at block 173. If the connection is accepted at the server, as shown in the test of block 174, the application begins processing the data, as shown in block 175, and further processing from the client as shown by the test in block 176. Do so until no more requests are found. At that point, final cleanup, i.e., parameter storage and final data configuration, occurs at block 177, and at block 178, the application ends processing of this task.

What has been described above is that the subprocesses to be installed on the client workstation, the various process threads, and the subprocesses to be installed on the network server, and the host application to be installed or the host
It will be appreciated that it requires the launching of a sub-process or thread that is resident in the system and applies to all applications that can launch there. Those skilled in the art will recognize that these sub-processes at the host and client, respectively, can be performed at the server, but equally well at the expense of additional communication flow between the client and server and the host and server. It will be clear to you. Thus, the preferred embodiment distributes these processing tasks, as shown, to reduce unnecessary flows and delays in sending preparation information to and from the Internet. Since the proper authorization parameters or data to access the identified application are needed at the server,
Proper isolation of the application on the client or host through a firewall that can be installed on one or both of them can be easily maintained by embodiments of the invention as shown, and the application Since it only knows to communicate a client (its physical location is known only to the server) with a server known only by a token that does not represent a location, and a server at a given port,
It will also be appreciated that the identity for the client location is protected from the application by use of the token.

In summary, the following items are disclosed regarding the configuration of the present invention.

(1) A method for invoking an application program resident in a host computer system from a remote client processor equipped with a browser via an Internet communication facility equipped with a server. Receiving a client workstation request for access; determining whether the host application is available for use; and receiving, by the server, client data from the client workstation. Giving it to the host application, receiving application data from the host application and sending it to the client workstation The method comprising initiating a client-to-host communication process, and includes a computer-executable program steps performed in the Internet server processor giving. (2) when the determining that the host application is not currently available indicates that the application must be started on the host computer, and when the application must be started, The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: customizing at the server an application launch file for the application having a client identifier and a server port number at the server. Method. (3) further comprising the step of: executing in the server processor accessing an application execution control language file of the host application and modifying the file for activation by the server processor. The method according to 2). (4) The initiating step includes a step of notifying the host application and the client of creation of a logical connection in the server between the host application and the client. The method described in. (5) The starting step includes notifying the host application and the client of creation of a logical connection in the server between the host application and the client. The method described in. (6) The initiating step includes a step of notifying the host application and the client of creation of a logical connection in the server between the host application and the client. The method described in. (7) the notifying step includes identifying the client to the host via a unique token provided by the server processor. ). (8) detecting the disconnection command in the data from the client, notifying the disconnection command to the host application, and terminating the communication between the client and the host application. 6). (9) detecting a disconnection command in the data from the client, notifying the host application, and terminating communication between the client and the host application. The method described in. (10) The client-to-host communication includes a client-to-server communication subprocess and an application-to-server communication subprocess, both of which are executed in the server processor. The method according to (1 to 6). (11) Performed in the host application processor, further comprising: obtaining a startup parameter and a net identification token from the server; and sending a connection request to the server using the token as an identifier. The method according to any one of the above (1 to 6), wherein: (12) Performed in the host application processor, further comprising: obtaining a startup parameter and a net identification token from the server; and sending a connection request to the server using the token as an identifier. The method according to the above (7), wherein: (13) The step performed in the host application processor, further comprising: obtaining a startup parameter and a net identification token from the server; and sending a connection request to the server using the token as an identifier. The method according to the above (8), wherein: (14) The step performed in the host application processor, further comprising: obtaining an activation parameter and a net identification token from the server; and sending a connection request to the server using the token as an identifier. The method according to the above (9), wherein: (15) Performed in the host application processor, further comprising: obtaining a startup parameter and a net identification token from the server; and sending a connection request to the server using the token as an identifier. The method according to the above (10), wherein: (16) obtaining the desired host application parameters from the client's web browser with any information requested by the user, and sending a connection request to the server, the steps being performed in the client processor; (1 to 6 and 10)
To 15). (17) obtaining the desired host application parameters from the client's web browser with any information requested by the user, and sending a connection request to the server, wherein the steps are performed in the client processor; The method according to (7), further comprising a step. (18) obtaining the desired host application parameters from the client's web browser with any information requested by the user, along with any information requested by the user, and sending a connection request to the server; The method according to (8), further comprising a step. (19) obtaining the desired host application parameters from the client's web browser with any information requested by the user, and sending a connection request to the server, wherein the steps are performed in the client processor; The method according to (9), further comprising a step. (20) An apparatus for starting an application program resident in a host computer system from a remote client processor equipped with a browser via an Internet communication facility equipped with a server to access a host application. Receiving the client data request from the client workstation and determining whether the host application is available for use by the host application.
Machine-readable program steps for initiating a client-to-host communication process of providing an application, receiving application data from the host application, and providing it to the client workstation. An apparatus wherein the steps are recorded on a medium and executable on an internet server processor. (21) when the determining that the host application is not currently available indicates that the application must be started on the host computer, and when the application must be started, The server for customizing at the server an application launch file for the application having a client identifier and a server port number.
The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising machine readable program steps executable on a processor. (22) accessing the application execution control language file of the host application, and
The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising machine readable program steps executable on the server processor to modify the file for activation by a processor. (23) The initiating step includes an executable step for notifying the host application and the client of the creation of a logical connection in the server between the host application and the client. The apparatus according to the above (20), wherein (24) The initiating step includes an executable step for notifying the host application and the client of the creation of a logical connection in the server between the host application and the client. The apparatus according to the above (21), wherein (25) The initiating step includes an executable step for notifying the host application and the client of creation of a logical connection in the server between the host application and the client. The apparatus according to (22) above, wherein (26) The notifying step includes an executable step for identifying the client to the host via a unique token provided by the server processor. 25). (27) A machine-readable step for detecting a disconnect command in the data from the client, notifying the host application, and terminating communication between the client and the host application. (2)
The device according to any one of 0 to 25). (28) a machine-readable step for detecting a disconnection command in the data from the client, notifying the host application, and terminating communication between the client and the host application. (2)
The device according to 6). (29) The medium, wherein the client-to-host communication is a client-to-server communication subprocess and an application-to-server communication.
A computer-executable step for a communication sub-process, and machine-executable steps for supporting both of said sub-processes to be performed on said server processor. 25). (30) A computer-executable step to be performed in the host application processor, the method comprising: obtaining a startup parameter and a net identification token from the server; and (20) further comprising the step of sending to the server.
25). (31) A computer-executable step to be performed in the host application processor, the method comprising: obtaining a startup parameter and a net identification token from the server; and The above (2), further comprising a step of sending to the server.
The device according to 6). (32) A computer-executable step to be performed in the host application processor, the method comprising: obtaining a startup parameter and a net identification token from the server; and The above (2), further comprising a step of sending to the server.
Device according to 7). (33) A computer-executable step to be performed in the host application processor, the method comprising: obtaining a startup parameter and a net identification token from the server; and The above (2), further comprising a step of sending to the server.
The device according to 8). (34) A computer-executable step to be performed in the host application processor, the method comprising: obtaining a startup parameter and a net identification token from the server; and The above (2), further comprising a step of sending to the server.
Device according to 9). (35) The medium is a machine-readable step for execution on the client processor, for obtaining desired host application parameters from a web browser of the client along with any information requested by a user. The apparatus of any of claims 20 to 25, further comprising the steps of: sending a connection request to the server. (36) The medium is a machine-readable step for execution on the client processor, for obtaining desired host application parameters from the client web browser along with any information requested by a user. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising the steps of: sending a connection request to the server. (37) The medium is a machine-readable step for executing on the client processor, for obtaining desired host application parameters from the client web browser along with any information requested by a user. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising the steps of: sending a connection request to the server. (38) The medium is a machine-readable step for executing on the client processor, for obtaining desired host application parameters from a web browser of the client along with any information requested by a user. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising the steps of: sending a connection request to the server.

[0061]

Thus, what has been described in connection with the present invention and its preferred embodiments has been described in the field of Internet-based and World Wide Web interactive host-based application communication and access methods. Represents an advantageous improvement. By virtue of that improvement, any internetwork may be provided if a suitable server with the necessary sub-processes is provided to handle access to the identified URL location of a given application program resident on the host computer. A truly broadly applicable method and system for facilitating access to host-based applications from a station or user is provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an applet or client for facilitating connection to a server for presentation of a user's request to access, utilize, and interact with a remote host based computer application program. 1 schematically illustrates the process flow of an executable process.

FIG. 2 is a process flow of steps performed on an Internet server computer for managing requests from a client or user computer received over the Internet to access a host-based computer application. Is schematically shown.

FIG. 3 at an Internet server processor for receiving client requests over the Internet and for managing and initiating the launch of host-based computer applications over the Internet at other remote locations. 1 schematically illustrates possible process flow steps.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates process steps executable on a processor of an Internet server for managing a flow of communicating from a client to a remote host-based application program over the Internet.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates process steps executable in an internet server processor for managing interaction with a remote host based application over the internet.

FIG. 6 is an Internet server for managing communication via an Internet facility from a remote host based application program intended for a requesting client.
2 schematically illustrates some of the process steps executable in a processor.

FIG. 7 is an Internet server for managing communication via an Internet facility from a remote host based application program intended for a requesting client.
2 schematically illustrates some of the process steps executable in a processor.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates process steps and flows executable on the host processor for managing communication between an application program processed on the host processor and the Internet server processor.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates an exemplary workstation or personal computer hardware environment in which the invention may be implemented as computer-executable process steps.

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a data processing network in which an Internet or World Wide Web facility exists and responds to a user in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Edward El Chattarain United States 27513, North Carolina, Cary, White Oak Drive 716 (72) Inventor Keelpie Manning United States 27502, Apex, North Carolina , Grayling Drive 4629

Claims (38)

[Claims] A method for launching an application program resident on a host computer system from a remote client processor with a browser via an Internet communication facility with a server to access the host application. Receiving a request of a client workstation to determine whether the host application is available for use; the server receiving client data from the client workstation; Giving it to the host application, receiving application data from the host application and giving it to the client workstation. The method comprising initiating a client-to-host communication process, and includes a computer-executable program steps performed in the Internet server processor called that. 2. When the determining that the host application is not currently available indicates that the application must be started on the host computer, determining whether the application must be started on the host computer. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, if not, customizing at the server processor an application launch file for the application having a client identifier and a server port number. the method of. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of accessing an application execution control language file of the host application and modifying the file for activation by the server processor. The method according to claim 2. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said initiating step comprises the step of notifying said host application and said client of the creation of a logical connection in said server between said host application and said client. 2. The method according to 1. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said initiating step comprises the step of notifying said host application and said client of creation of a logical connection in said server between said host application and said client. 3. The method according to 2. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said initiating step comprises the step of notifying said host application and said client of the creation of a logical connection in said server between said host application and said client. 3. The method according to 3. 7. The step of notifying, via a unique token provided by the server processor,
The method according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the step of identifying the client to the host. 8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of detecting a disconnection command in said data from said client, notifying said host application, and terminating communication between said client and said host application. 7. The method according to one of 1 to 6. 9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of detecting a disconnection command in said data from said client, notifying said host application, and terminating communication between said client and said host application. 7. The method according to 7. 10. The client-to-host communication includes a client-to-server communication sub-process and an application-to-server communication sub-process, both of which are executed on the server processor. The method according to one of claims 1 to 6. 11. The steps performed in the host application processor, comprising: obtaining a startup parameter and a net identification token from the server; and sending a connection request to the server using the token as an identifier. The method according to one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: 12. The steps performed in the host application processor, comprising: obtaining a startup parameter and a net identification token from the server; and sending a connection request to the server using the token as an identifier. The method of claim 7, further comprising: 13. A step performed in the host application processor, comprising: obtaining a startup parameter and a net identification token from the server; and sending a connection request to the server using the token as an identifier. The method of claim 8, further comprising: 14. A step performed in the host application processor, comprising: obtaining a startup parameter and a net identification token from the server; and sending a connection request to the server using the token as an identifier. The method of claim 9, further comprising: 15. The steps performed in the host application processor, comprising: obtaining a startup parameter and a net identification token from the server; and sending a connection request to the server using the token as an identifier. The method of claim 10, further comprising: 16. A step performed in the client processor, comprising obtaining desired host application parameters from a web browser of the client together with any information requested by a user, and requesting a connection to the server. The method according to one of claims 1 to 6, and 10 to 15, further comprising the step of: 17. A step performed in the client processor, the step of obtaining desired host application parameters from a web browser of the client along with any information requested by a user, and a request to connect to the server. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of: 18. A step performed in the client processor, comprising obtaining desired host application parameters from a web browser of the client along with any information requested by a user and requesting a connection to the server. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of: 19. A step performed in the client processor, comprising obtaining desired host application parameters from a web browser of the client along with any information requested by a user, and requesting a connection to the server. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of sending 20. An apparatus for starting an application program resident in a host computer system from a remote client processor equipped with a browser via an Internet communication facility equipped with a server, and accessing the host application. Receiving a client workstation request to do so, determining whether the host application is available for use, the server receiving client data from the client workstation and transmitting it to the host A client for providing to an application, receiving application data from the host application and providing it to the client workstation; Include machine readable program steps to initiate-host communication process, the program steps can be recorded on the medium, it can be performed in an Internet server processor device. 21. When the determining that the host application is not currently available indicates that the application must be started on the host computer, determining whether the application must be started on the host computer. If not, further comprising machine readable program steps executable on the server processor for customizing at the server an application launch file for the application having a client identifier and a server port number. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that: 22. A machine readable program executable on said server processor for accessing an application execution control language file of said host application and modifying said file for activation by said server processor. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a step. 23. The initiating step comprises:
Application and the client to the host
21. The apparatus of claim 20, comprising executable steps for signaling creation of a logical connection at the server between an application and the client. 24. The method according to claim 24, wherein the step of starting comprises:
Application and the client to the host
22. The apparatus of claim 21, comprising executable steps for signaling creation of a logical connection at the server between an application and the client. 25. The method of claim 25, wherein the initiating step comprises:
Application and the client to the host
23. The apparatus of claim 22, including executable steps for signaling creation of a logical connection at the server between an application and the client. 26. The method according to claim 26, wherein the notifying step includes:
26. Apparatus according to one of claims 20 to 25, comprising executable steps for identifying the client to the host via a unique token provided by a processor. 27. A machine readable step for detecting a disconnect command in the data from the client, notifying the host application, and terminating communication between the client and the host application. Device according to one of claims 20 to 25, characterized in that: 28. A machine readable step for detecting a disconnect command in the data from the client, notifying the host application, and terminating communication between the client and the host application. The device according to claim 26, characterized in that: 29. The medium, wherein the client-to-host communication includes computer-executable steps for a client-to-server communication sub-process and an application-to-server communication sub-process, both of which are the same. Apparatus according to one of claims 20 to 25, comprising machine-executable steps for supporting execution on a server processor. 30. A computer-executable step to be performed in the host application processor, the method comprising: obtaining a startup parameter and a net identification token from the server; and a connection request using the token as an identifier. Device according to one of the claims 20 to 25, further comprising the step of sending to the server. 31. A computer-executable step to be performed in the host application processor, the method comprising: obtaining a startup parameter and a net identification token from the server; and a connection request using the token as an identifier. 27. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising the step of: sending to the server. 32. Computer-executable steps to be performed in the host application processor, the method including obtaining startup parameters and a net identification token from the server, and a connection request using the token as an identifier. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising the step of: sending to the server. 33. A computer-executable step to be performed in the host application processor, the method comprising: obtaining a startup parameter and a net identification token from the server; and a connection request using the token as an identifier. 29. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising the step of: sending to the server. 34. Computer-executable steps to be performed in the host application processor, the method including obtaining startup parameters and a net identification token from the server, and a connection request using the token as an identifier. 30. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising the step of: sending to the server. 35. The medium, wherein the medium is machine readable steps for execution on the client processor, including any information requested by a user from the client's web browser and the desired host application parameters. 26. The method according to claim 20, further comprising a step of obtaining a connection request and a step of sending a connection request to the server.
An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 36. The medium is a machine readable step for execution on the client processor, comprising any information requested by a user along with any desired host application parameters from a web browser of the client. 28. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising the steps of obtaining a connection request and sending a connection request to the server. 37. The medium comprising machine readable steps for execution on the client processor, the host application parameters being desired from the client web browser along with any information requested by a user. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising the steps of obtaining a connection request and sending a connection request to the server. 38. The medium comprising machine readable steps for execution on the client processor, the host application parameters desired from the client web browser along with any information requested by a user. 29. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising the steps of obtaining a connection request and sending a connection request to the server.