It’s free, actively updated, and runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
If you manage or work with an IBM i (AS/400, iSeries, System i) system, you know that the green-screen isn’t the only way to work. IBM i Access Client Solutions (ACS) is the modern, cross-platform desktop client that replaces the old System i Navigator and Client Access.
Create a network share, place the ACS .pak files there, and write a one-line script to copy the folder to a user's desktop. No installation server required. Have a specific ACS connection issue? Check the "IBM i Access for Web" or verify your host servers are started with WRKACTJOB SBSD(QSYSWRK) .
But finding the correct download link on IBM’s massive website can feel like a scavenger hunt. Here is the direct path to get the latest version up and running. Unlike older products, ACS does not require a paid license key. IBM distributes it for free to all IBM i customers.
Search Google for "IBM i Access Client Solutions downloads" or bookmark this direct path to the IBM Knowledge Center (varies by release, but always leads to the same files).
| File Name Example | Platform | Who should use it? | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | acs-win-32.pak | Windows (32-bit) | Legacy systems (rare) | | acs-win-64.pak | Windows (64-bit) | (Standard choice) | | acs-mac-64.pak | macOS (Intel & Apple Silicon) | Mac users | | acs-linux-x86-64.pak | Linux (x86_64) | Linux workstations | | acs-linux-ppc64le.pak | Linux (Power) | IBM Linux on Power | Note: The file extension is .pak , not .exe or .dmg . This is normal. Step 3: Install ACS (It’s Portable) Here is the best feature of ACS: It is a portable application. It does not require admin rights or messy registry edits.
