The IceBreak Engine is the foundational runtime and application engine of the Sitemule Platform, purpose-built to transform IBM i into a unified, modern enterprise ecosystem. Running entirely and natively on IBM i, IceBreak seamlessly integrates legacy applications, modern web technologies, and enterprise tools into a single, cohesive environment.
IceBreak provides a fully native web and application server that operates entirely within the IBM i operating system. It requires no external servers, middleware, scripting engines, or third-party platforms such as Apache or WebSphere. By eliminating these dependencies, IceBreak reduces architectural complexity, lowers operational risk, and ensures optimal performance by leveraging IBM i’s native strengths. As the core engine used across all Sitemule modules, IceBreak is essential to their functionality, performance, and reliability.
Through the Sitemule Enterprise module, IceBreak enables organizations to deliver modern web applications and services while maintaining existing business logic. RPG, COBOL, and SQL programs are transformed into browser-accessible web applications, web services, microservices, and APIs without reengineering core codebases.
IceBreak enforces a strict separation between development and production environments, supporting enterprise governance and SOX compliance. Programs running in the server environment cannot be modified from within the server, preventing unauthorized changes and reducing operational risk. This controlled execution model ensures production stability while supporting disciplined deployment and change management processes aligned with enterprise standards.
In addition to its runtime capabilities, IceBreak serves as a powerful enterprise development framework. Developers can compile RPG and COBOL programs into fully functional web applications using modern standards such as SQL, XHTML, XML, and RESTful web services. Applications are accessible from any modern browser, including mobile devices, allowing development teams to extend traditional IBM i skills into modern web development.
"RPG, COBOL, and SQL programs are transformed into browser-accessible web applications, web services, microservices, and APIs without reengineering core codebases."
IceBreak incorporates an intelligent load-balancing architecture that dynamically distributes workloads across multiple jobs to prevent bottlenecks and optimize system resources. It automatically scales in real time to meet demand, ensuring consistent performance under heavy user loads. Multi-threaded execution and session persistence keep applications responsive and stable, enabling IceBreak to process millions of transactions efficiently in both on-premises and cloud deployments.
IceBreak provides flexible execution models to support performance, scalability, and operational control. Session-persistent processes maintain continuity and data consistency across user sessions, while application pooling preloads processes to deliver immediate response times. This hybrid approach balances shared resources for anonymous users with dedicated processes for authenticated users. For maximum isolation and resilience, multi-process execution runs each session independently, while single-session mode supports detailed debugging with comprehensive logging and JSON or XML output.
IceBreak enables traditional IBM i languages such as RPG, COBOL, C, and CLP to interact seamlessly with modern web technologies. Through precompiled wrappers and structured interfaces, IceBreak introduces object-like behavior, simplifying complex workflows and supporting scalable API-based architectures. Developers can build sophisticated, interactive applications while maintaining the performance efficiency and reliability of the IBM i environment.
IceBreak provides direct access to IBM Db2 without requiring ODBC, JDBC, or middleware layers. SQL can be executed directly within RPG and COBOL web applications, delivering faster transaction processing and reduced overhead. Built-in commit control ensures data integrity during real-time operations, while native JSON and XML support enable efficient data exchange for RESTful services. IceBreak can also expose Db2 stored procedures and functions as RESTful APIs, supported by an integrated OpenAPI interface that provides automatic documentation, testing, and service discovery.
"By eliminating external dependencies, IceBreak reduces architectural complexity, lowers operational risk, and ensures optimal performance by leveraging IBM i's native strengths."
Security is deeply embedded throughout the IceBreak Engine. Applications run under IBM i user profiles, enforcing controlled access to system resources. All communication is protected using SSL/TLS encryption, and multiple authentication mechanisms - including IBM i authentication, OAuth, LDAP, and Active Directory - are supported. Session-based authentication, custom security policies, and IBM i’s inherent reliability ensure compliance with enterprise and industry security standards.
IceBreak is the engine that powers the Sitemule Platform, particularly Sitemule Enterprise, as a complete, integrated modernization solution for IBM i. By combining native web enablement, intelligent scalability, robust security, and seamless database connectivity, IceBreak allows organizations to modernize existing applications, build new web-based solutions, and integrate IBM i systems with cloud and third-party services - without disrupting core logic.
As a result, IceBreak transforms IBM i into a future-ready digital platform, enabling businesses to protect their legacy investments while achieving the flexibility, performance, and connectivity demanded by the modern enterprise.
Combines IBM i systems and modern applications into a single unified ecosystem.
Bridge modern technologies with RPG and COBOL to run applications and web services natively on IBM i.
Deploy domain-driven applications and microservices within minutes - no coding required.
Turn 5250 programs into intuitive applications and workflows or modern web services.
Connect customers, partners, and teams in a single, fully IBM i integrated portal.
Leverage AI to organize and retrieve business knowledge for faster, data-driven decisions.
Deploy on-premise AI for anomaly detection, compliance, and automated quality control.
Seamlessly integrate open-source projects and APIs into IBM i - fully supported and license-free.
Migrate IBM i to the cloud with managed hosting, ERP continuity, and zero downtime risk.
We provide solutions and services that support both standard and tailor-made systems for companies worldwide, serving a wide range of industries such as banking, finance, insurance, manufacturing, retail, logistics, and beyond. Let us help you - get in touch today!
