swie@cs.umn.edu (S. T. Tan) (08/11/90)
Does anybody familiar with Netware Link/Async communication software ? If you are familiar, could you help me answer the following questions: - Is it a reliable product ? - How many LANs can be connected together ? - Does it work with Netware-386 ver. 3.1 ? - Can I use to access / update database records from a remote workstation ? - I was told that this software is included in Netware-286 SFT, is it ? - Is there a better modem than Hayes V series (2400 or 9600 baud) to connect the two LANs together ? Is there a better option to connect two Netware LANs together ? Thanks in advance swie@umn-cs.cs.umn.edu
louie@rruxi.bae.bellcore.com (Paul Louie) (08/14/90)
swie@cs.umn.edu (S. T. Tan) in, Message-ID: <1990Aug11.022956.368@cs.umn.edu>, of Organization: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis - CSCI Dept. asked: > Does anybody familiar with Netware Link/Async communication software ? > If you are familiar, could you help me answer the following questions: > - Is it a reliable product ? > - How many LANs can be connected together ? > - Does it work with Netware-386 ver. 3.1 ? > - Can I use to access / update database records from a remote workstation ? > - I was told that this software is included in Netware-286 SFT, is it ? > - Is there a better modem than Hayes V series (2400 or 9600 baud) to > connect the two LANs together ? > > Is there a better option to connect two Netware LANs together ? > > Thanks in advance > swie@umn-cs.cs.umn.edu Sounds like you are mixing the products. Novell and CSI have many products and you have to be more specific on what you need. From you questions, you sound like you needed remote dial-up for workstations into a LAN and you also wanted to connect two or more LANs together. Yes, Netware 286 (both Advanced 2.15 and 2.15 SFT) comes with software that lets you do what you wanted. BUT you should consider this very closely, because for connecting LANs (Bridging is the term) this is really too slow (basing this assumption from your question relating to Netware 386, you must have a pretty good size user base). For workstation dialup it might be okay depending on what performance criterior. Here is what I think is your answer: Workstation Dialup: Install a Async Comm Server. This you can maxed out to 16 concurrent sessions on one server pc (4 cards, 4 users per card). Of course you need 1 modem per session. LAN Bridging: You should consider getting a X.25 Bridge and tying the LANs together with synchronous modem (V.32, not Hayes). This gives you full duplex (two ways concurrently) and efficient data transfer, because the data are packetized (buffered transmission). Caveat: I don't know how wide spread you LANs are. If they are within 6 KM from each other, you can use microwave dishes or fiber (if your budget allowed). Both methods gives you the same bandwidth as locally attached nodes, but microwave is less reliable. It is subject to obstructions (building maintenance crew bodily blocking the path) and weather conditions (heavy snow). I have allot of experience in LAN connectivity and system integration and would gladly help you in whatever ways I can. Your can reach me at (201) 699-8771 9:00-5:00 est. email at bellcore!kitchen!louie P.S. - For the X.25 approach, if you need to connect more than 2 LANs together and don't want to install multiple point-to-point connections between the LANS, you have to consider installing a switch (known as a SVC - switched virtual circuit) or use a commercial network (Tymnet, Telenet, Infonet, etc.). Also, be aware that the fiber and microwave approach requires more up front investment, but have cost close to nothing to operate it.