Before anyone complains "Yes, OK, I called it an as400 in the blog title" but that is only because so many people still google using as400 because googling with system i just returns completely mad results. "Hell, even IBM who sell the darned System i called it a eServer iSeries Access" :confused:

Anyway, I wanted to upgrade my laptop version of IBM ISERIES ACCESS FOR WINDOWS from 5.3 to 5.4 but couldnt lay my hands on the installation CD's. "What can I do?" I mused. Suddenly, in a puff of logic, preceded by the grinding sounds of ancient dusty mental cogs retrieving little used datum, I remembered that iSeries Access can be installed from directly from the System-i by way of the Integrated File Server. See I used the correct name that time - and before you laugh saying "hahah - its a power server running IBMi" - I'm using a IBM System i Model 550. So there. Shut it!

So, find the installation folder and normally we would create a share on that directory using WRKLNK.We  can then use iNavigator to create a share. Then any PC can map a drive to that share. But wait! The System i has a default share for /QIBM. Huzzah!

Installation or upgrading couldnt be easier....

Just be sure to turn on the host server for NetServer (STRTCPSVR SERVER(*NETSVR) then just go to

\\your-machines-ip-address\qibm\proddata\Access\Windows\Install\Image\Setup.exe

and bosh!

Job done!

CAVEAT EMPTOR: On my system the IFS access is fairly slow so I would recommend copying the entire folder (including subfolders obviously) down to your PC before installing it using your local copy.