Apparatus, methods and computer program products for managing sessions with host-based application using session vectors

Abstract

Access to a session between a remote computer and an application resident at a host computer connected to the remote computer is provided via a link object embedded in a Web page accessible at the remote computer. A session is established between the remote computer and the application, and a link object associated with the established session is embedded in the Web page in response to establishment of the session. In response to termination of a session, the link object associated with the terminated session is removed from the Web page. According to another aspect, user selection of the link object associated with the established session is accepted at the remote computer. In response, a user interface to the established session, e.g., an input/output “screen,” is provided at the remote computer. According to another aspect, a host access web page is accessed to establish a session. A Web page is accessed from the remote computer, and a Java applet downloaded to the remote computer in response to accessing of the Web page. The Java applet is then processed, either automatically or upon a user input, to establish a session between the remote computer. The Java applet may also be processed to embed a link object associated with the established session in the Web page. According to yet another aspect, a Session Vector is maintained which identifies sessions between the remote computer and the application. A link to a session identified in the Session Vector is maintained in a Web page accessible to the remote computer. In response to establishment of a session between the remote computer and the application, an identifier for the established session is added to the Session Vector. If a session limit has been achieved, establishment of a session may be prevented.