NTi Data Provider

License: A single license per IBM i - AS/400 partition, regardless of server power, with an annual subscription for unlimited use:

• An unlimited number of users.
• No knowledge of software groups.
• Access to the NTi data provider, EF Core, and Toolbox Extensions.

A 30-day free trial is also available to test NTi and its extensions.

Maintenance: Updates for NTi and its extensions (EF Core and Toolbox NTi) are free and available via the NuGet package manager, with guaranteed upward compatibility.

NTi, EF Core, and Toolbox do not require any special technical support. These tools rely on universal skills (C#, SQL, HTML) and can be installed via NuGet in your .NET projects, without relying on third-party software such as ACS or ODBC.

Client side (.NET):

• Required tools: Visual Studio or Visual Studio Code, and the NuGet package manager.
• No additional configuration is required on the .NET side.

IBM i side:

• No installation is required, except for the activation of standard TCP/IP servers (*DATABASE, *RMTCMD, *SIGNON). These services are generally already active on recent IBM i systems.

In less than 10 minutes, NTi is ready to use.

The license key is renewed only on IBM i: simply run an SQL script provided by Aumerial on the relevant partition.

No action is required on the client side (.NET): your existing applications will continue to function without recompilation or redeployment.

You can choose to purchase licenses valid for 1, 3 or 5 years, thus avoiding an annual update if you choose the longer period.

Although NTi does not require specific technical support, Aumerial remains available to answer your questions or assist you in case of any issue.

In rare specific cases, an anomaly may occur. If this happens, we quickly analyze the situation to identify the cause. If necessary, we develop and deploy a fix or update via NuGet as quickly as possible to ensure the continuity of your operations.

To help you use nti and its extensions, comprehensive and regularly updated documentation is available, or write to us at contact@aumerial.com .

IBM i compatibility: NTi, EF Core, and Toolbox NTi work with all versions of AS400, IBM i, and iSeries that have a TCP/IP connection and an RJ45 port. Although it is possible to interact with older versions, the use of versions later than V5R4 (February 2006) is recommended for business operations.

.NET compatibility: NTi and its extensions are compatible with:

• .NET 6 and later, including .NET 8.
• Mono.
• All platforms (Windows, Linux, Android, iOS).

NTi is also compatible with containerized environments such as Docker or OpenShift.

NTi offers enhanced security:

• Authentication: Requires a username and password for each session, as on a 5250 interface.
• License key: Access is limited to partitions with a valid NTi license key.
• Automatic session closure: TCP connections are automatically closed when unused, eliminating ghost jobs (unnecessary QZDASOINIT).

Native to .NET, NTi is built on the Common Language Runtime (CLR) and ensures full portability and cross-platform compatibility, allowing you to deploy your applications on Windows, Linux, ARM, Docker, and more, without any dependency on native drivers.

• No specific installation or configuration is required on the IBM i side.
• Available on NuGet, NTi and its EF Core and Toolbox extensions install quickly and become operational in under 10 minutes
• EF Core 8 simplifies access to DB2 for i with standard .NET models, eliminating the need for manual SQL.
• Toolbox NTi automates administrative tasks (spools, jobs, CL commands) directly from .NET, replacing third-party tools.
• NTi optimizes TCP/IP connection management (e.g., QZDASOINIT) by removing unnecessary jobs and integrating SSL/TLS for secure exchanges.
• Compatible with .NET 6 and later, including .NET 8, Mono, and all platforms (Windows, Linux, Android, iOS).

Yes, NTi was designed to leverage your IBM i resources while facilitating integration with other databases.

• Existing programs: You can use your RPG, COBOL (including S36), and stored procedures directly.
• Multiple databases: NTi also integrates into hybrid environments where DB2 for i coexists with SQL Server, Oracle, or PostgreSQL. EF Core provides a unified abstraction layer, simplifying access.

Absolutely, NTi extends the capabilities of .NET to IBM i :

• Containerization and CI/CD: NTi supports Docker and OpenShift, simplifying modern DevOps and automation practices.
• Artificial Intelligence: With .NET 8, NTi provides access to AI and machine learning libraries, such as Azure Machine Learning, to enhance your applications.
• Cloud interoperability: Easy access to services such as Microsoft Azure and Office 365.

• Remote deployment: All configurations can be managed without physical intervention on site.
• Multi-AS400 management: NTi can interact with multiple machines of different versions (for example, reading data on V7R5 and writing on V5R4) within a single C# program, as long as the data types are compatible.

NTi, EF Core, and Toolbox NTi are designed to work alongside your existing tools (ACS, iNavigator, etc.):

• Their integration is non-intrusive, allowing you to adopt them gradually.
• They modernize your workflows while preserving your existing investments.

NTi supports all types of DB2 for i data, including:

• LOB fields (BLOB, CLOB, XML).
• Specific types such as Geospatial.

Yes, NTi allows you to:

• Specify custom ports for each service (database, CL commands, programs).
• Use SSL/TLS for secure connections.
• Configure port mapping via the PORT MAPPER service if the standard configuration is not used.