Connect to 3270 host IBM Mainframe using Mac Terminal (c3270)

In this article, we will take a look at how to easily connect to the IBM 3270 host to connect to an IBM mainframe computer in two steps.

Step 1: Install x3270 unitily

IBM 3270 terminal emulator for the X Window System and Windows

Support List:

Processor	macOS Version
Intel	Ventura
Intel	Monterey
Intel	Big Sur
Apple Silicon (M1/M2)	Ventura
Apple Silicon (M1/M2)	Monterey
Apple Silicon (M1/M2)	Big Sur




For this, make sure you have homebrew installed on your device using by running the command brew --version command in the Terminal. If not follow the below article to get it installed.

How to install Homebrew on Mac

To install 3270 run the below command in the Terminal.

brew install x3270 

Step 2: Connect to IBM Mainframe using c3270

c3270 is an interactive 3270 emulator that runs on a character-mode terminal on a POSIX system.

Read more: https://x3270.miraheze.org/wiki/C3270

Now that you have installed x3270, you can execute the commands using c3270

c3270 hostname/ip address

Next you will be asked to log in and provide details as

login userId

You are now connected to the IBM Mainframe computer using the Mac Terminal and should be able to see the z/OS screen.