[comp.sys.mac] Responses to FastPath vs. GatorBox

suhler@IBM.COM (Paul Suhler) (01/24/90)

Thanks to all who responded to my requests for information on Cayman
Systems' GatorBox, and the Excelan/Novell/Kinetics FastPath.  The most
comprehensive response was: 

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I do not believe a true head-to-head comparison of the two gateways has 
ever been done. At least not in the major Mac publications. I have seen
the GatorBox reviewed but never benchmarked with the fastpath. 
 
If you are looking to do Mac to Unix, the Cayman solution is a much nicer
implementation. The Unix boxes show up as Appleshare Servers. However,
you pay bu ku bucks to get this level of friendliness. Not only do you
purchase the GatorBox, but you also purchase GatorShare (the AFP to NFS
module).  
 
The FastPath has been around for a long time and has undergone a number
of changes to make it easier to configure and use. However, Novell is
admittedly not in the Hardware business and is rumored (Jan ? 1990 MacWEEK
Mac The Knife) to be dumping the EtherPort cards on DEC. I doubt the 
FastPath will go this route anytime soon But It makes you wonder who 
will be supporting the FastPath in the future? Current Tech Support from
Novell for the FastPath is GREAT. It is provided by a group of folks who 
have been supporting the product since Kinetics was a company not just
a division or product line.
 
I would be very interested in the comments you receive or any
comparisons you dig up. Could you please send me this information 
when/if it becomes available? Much thanks.
 
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Steve Frantz              
Teradyne, Inc.
sf@Zehntel

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Thanks, Steve.  I wasn't able to get e-mail to you.

Paul Suhler
Hybrid Dataflow Systems