rdp@pbseps.UUCP (Richard Perlman) (08/01/88)
We are looking for an MS-DOS terminal program to allow PCs to
access a TCP/IP host over ethernet. We are not looking for file
sharing (we will be using PC-NFS where that is required). All
that is required is the ability to set-up a terminal session
(preferable with vt-100 emulation)
Our installation is comprised of the following:
Sequent Symmetry (4 processors)
IBM-XT & Compatible (a few ATs) PCs with WD8003E Ether Boards
Cheapernet (Thin-wire)
Advance apologies if I have missed a recent dicussion on this
topic. If that is the case, could someone forward the relevent
postings to me.
--
Richard Perlman * pbseps!rdp@PacBell.COM || {ames,sun,att}!pacbell!pbseps!rdp
180 New Montgomery St. rm 602, San Francisco, CA 94105 |*| (415) 545-0233spage%polar@Sun.COM (S Page Sun Mtn View windows writer/engineer 336-2410) (08/02/88)
>> We are looking for an MS-DOS terminal program to allow PCs to >> access a TCP/IP host over ethernet. We are not looking for file >> sharing (we will be using PC-NFS where that is required). All >> that is required is the ability to set-up a terminal session >> (preferable with vt-100 emulation) PC-NFS includes a built-in VT-100 type emulator. This allows the user to login to a host via the Ethernet or the PC RS-232C com port using the Telnet and TCP/IP protocols. I believe the Telnet program can be run as a memory-resident "pop-up" program. I don't work with for the division responsible for PC-NFS, I just read the sales guides. These are my opinions, not my employer's. =S Page Windows (writer/engineer) spage@sun.COM (415)336-2410 M/S 14-40 {hplabs,ucbvax,decwrl}!sun!spage
pwolfe@kailand.KAI.COM (08/02/88)
We've got Sequent Symmetry and Balance hosts with NFS, and PC's accessing them (and other hosts) via ethernet. One of our PC's (soon two) use PC/NFS. If you're purchasing PC/NFS, you'll get TELNET programs with it that do what you want, let the PC emulate a vt100 and log in to any host connected to your ethernet network. The host you connect into does not have to be an NFS server, but may be. You'll also get FTP software for performing file transfer with hosts on the network that don't run NFS. Another Telnet program is available for zero cost from the University of Illinois' National Center for Supercomputer Applications (NCSA). This program (called NCSA/Telnet) provides a better user interface and allows multiple concurrent sessions, but can be hard to read on monochrome monitors which emulate color monitors (like our NEC Monograph) and they have yet to install the workaround for a hardware bug in the 3COM 3C501 card when used with AT class machines. Sun's PC/NFS is originally based on MIT's PC/IP software which had this workaround years ago. The bug only seems to appear when performing file transfers on files over 40K, either with the "ftp" program, or the "ftp" server option of the "telnet" program. We've also tried the PC/IP software from MIT. Their Telnet program emulates a Heath h19, but works fine. It also provides an "lpr" program that allows PC's to submit entries to a UNIX host's printer queue. The major drawback is that the PC must be added to the "/etc/hosts.equiv" file, which can be a potential security hazard. In contrast, PC/NFS gives you a C program called "pcnfsd" that runs on a UNIX host and spools PC printer requests and submits the file to the UNIX printer queue when the PC user: 1) exits the PC application, 2) presses the defined "hot-key" (we use ALT-P), 3) after five minutes, or 4) enters the "net print" command. I wish the timeout of five minutes was configurable. I like the PC/NFS software for it's disk and printer sharing capabilities, but have found that I could only export entire file systems instead of individual directories (had to export /usr instead of just /usr/tmp). I'm not yet sure if this is a Sun or Sequent problem. Backing up PC's local hard disks is a lot easier now. No more funny games getting files from the PC printed on printers which are connected to the Sequent. If you have access to the Internet, you can download NCSA/TELNET via anonymous ftp from ftp.ncsa.uiuc.edu. If you don't, I'll consider writing a diskette for you, if you'll send the diskette and pay postage both ways. Send email first. Patrick Wolfe (pwolfe@kai.com, kailand!pwolfe)
greg@softway.oz (Greg Rose) (08/04/88)
In article <137@pbseps.UUCP> rdp@pbseps.PacBell.COM (Richard Perlman) writes: > >We are looking for an MS-DOS terminal program to allow PCs to >access a TCP/IP host over ethernet. Sequent had a broduct called BSS/PC-shells. Unfortunately, the B means Balance. They use this extensively in house though, so it may also be available on the Symmetry. You need GEM for the PC, and preferably a mouse, but then you get multiple windows with ANSI (near enough for me). >-- >Richard Perlman * pbseps!rdp@PacBell.COM || {ames,sun,att}!pacbell!pbseps!rdp >180 New Montgomery St. rm 602, San Francisco, CA 94105 |*| (415) 545-0233 -- Greg Rose - Softway Pty Ltd (greg@softway.oz) PHONE: +61-2-698-2322 UUCP: uunet!softway.oz!greg FAX: +61-2-699-9174 INTERNET: greg@softway.oz.au -- Greg Rose - Softway Pty Ltd (greg@softway.oz) PHONE: +61-2-698-2322 UUCP: uunet!softway.oz!greg FAX: +61-2-699-9174 INTERNET: greg@softway.oz.au
pwolfe@kailand.KAI.COM (08/08/88)
I've been told by our Sequent sales representative, that they are dropping the BCC/shells product. I think he said they will be recommending or selling PC/NFS instead. I forgot to mention, PC/NFS runs over serial links too, if your host supports SLIP (serial link IP), which Sequent does not. If you have the DYNIX source, it might be possible to add this yourself, but we don't, and so haven't. PC/NFS's Telnet program can open a DOS shell while keeping your session active, but it takes up a lot of memory when you do this. You return to the telnet session by pressing ALT-T. Patrick Wolfe (pwolfe@kai.com, kailand!pwolfe)
robert@pvab.UUCP (Robert Claeson) (08/08/88)
In article <137@pbseps.UUCP>, rdp@pbseps.UUCP (Richard Perlman) writes: > We are looking for an MS-DOS terminal program to allow PCs to > access a TCP/IP host over ethernet. We are not looking for file > sharing (we will be using PC-NFS where that is required). All > that is required is the ability to set-up a terminal session > (preferable with vt-100 emulation) First, Sun's PC-NFS includes a VT100 telnet. Second, if you're looking for a more fancy emulation, I believe there's a company in Sweden who has ported the Reflection 2 and 2+ to use telnet with PC-NFS 3.0.
ronc@cerebus.UUCP (Ronald O. Christian) (08/23/88)
In article <481@softway.oz> greg@softway.oz (Greg Rose) writes: >In article <137@pbseps.UUCP> rdp@pbseps.PacBell.COM (Richard Perlman) writes: >> >>We are looking for an MS-DOS terminal program to allow PCs to >>access a TCP/IP host over ethernet. >Sequent had a broduct called BSS/PC-shells. Unfortunately, >the B means Balance. They use this extensively in house though, so >it may also be available on the Symmetry. You need GEM for the PC, and >preferably a mouse, but then you get multiple windows with ANSI (near >enough for me). We have PC-Shells. It's a toy. First off, it doesn't support Ethernet, it does packet switching over a com port. This tends to make it pretty slow. Secondly, it's not really a supported product. If someone would come out with a product with the functionality of PC-Shells, but supported VT220 emulation and worked over Ethernet under Microsoft Windows or X-Windows, they'd really have something. (Anyone want to start a company? :-)) You would be better off trying one of the multitude of TCP/IP solutions out there for the PC. I have a list of a dozen or so that will do the job. Off the top of my head: PC-NFS from Sun, PC/TCP from FTP Software, and Fusion from Network Research. We have several copies of PC-NFS running here, and the only complaint I have is the lack of function keys in the ANSI emulation. (They support four, and we need a lot more than that. Twenty would be nice.) FTP Software is working on a VT220 emulation for their PC/TCP. We are waiting with bated breath. If Sun doesn't expand the capabilities of their terminal emulation, we may drop PC-NFS in favor of the FTP Software product. Ron -- Ronald O. Christian (Fujitsu America Inc., San Jose, Calif.) {amdahl, pyramid, sun, unisoft, uunet}!cerebus!ronc Calling all Fujitsu Usenet sites! Contact cerebus!ronc or ronc@fai.com to establish uucp connection.
rich@oxtrap (K. Richard Magill) (09/02/88)
In article <2400016@kailand>, pwolfe@kailand writes: >I forgot to mention, PC/NFS runs over serial links too, if your host supports >SLIP (serial link IP), which Sequent does not. If you have the DYNIX source, >it might be possible to add this yourself, but we don't, and so haven't. Ok, sequent doesn't support SLIP but slip *is* available. If interest warrants I'll urge the "porting author" to come forward. --