Universal Connection

Universal Connection allows you to control how your business connects to IBM® support services. Once connected, you can access a variety of customer support options as you need them. This software is Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)-based, and you configure it through a wizard or command interface that allows you to choose how you connect to IBM. Your choices include the following:

Direct dial-up through the AT®&T Global Network Services
An existing Internet Service Provider (ISP) connection
A direct LAN connection to the Internet
A remote dial-up via the AT&T Global Network Services
A remote Virtual Private Network (VPN) multi-hop connection
An HTTP or Service and Support proxy connection

This flexibility lets you choose the most convenient solution for your organization, while still providing a secure connection. For most users, the Universal Connection option is the fastest and most convenient method of accessing electronic customer support.

The Universal Connection wizard guides you through the steps to configure this connectivity. IBM uses this configuration when you allow the following applications to provide support, service, and system documentation:

Electronic Customer Support
Electronic Service Agent™
Information Center Update

Note:

You also can configure these profiles using CL Commands, including the GO SERVICE and CRTSRVCFG commands. See the Control language (CL) topic for details.

Universal Connection concepts
Learn more about firewall technologies and protocols used by the Universal Connection.

Plan for Universal Connection
The first step to successfully configuring a Universal Connection to IBM services is ensuring that you select a method of connecting to IBM from your server and fulfilling any required prerequisites.

Scenarios: Universal Connection
Review these scenarios to become familiar with using the Universal Connection wizard and the steps involved in creating a Universal Connection.

Configure Universal Connection
After planning for your Universal Connection and reviewing the scenarios, you can begin configuring it. This topic provides you with an overview of how to use the Universal Connection wizard and other related tasks that you need when you create a Universal Connection to IBM services.

Troubleshoot the Universal Connection wizard
See this topic when you experience problems using the Universal Connection wizard.