[comp.sys.apollo] DPCC & PC Networks

rfh3273@galileo.rtn.ca.boeing.com (Dick Harrigill) (01/31/91)

I am attempting to interconnect our Apollo ring with a PC LAN. In most
instances we are successful. There is, however, one more thing I would
like to do.  First, a brief discussion of DPCC, DPCI & BINET.

Thru the PCI connection, I can NET USE into the Apollo file system
(e.g.  NET USE E: \\AEGIS  from DOS where \\AEGIS has been defined in
the DPCC configuration files).  I also have a PC network board installed
in the Apollo node which is connected to the PC ethernet LAN.  By using
BINET (supplied with DPCC/DPCI) I can simultaneously connect into our
PC LAN with NET USE commands.  This works great.  BINET allows you to 
connect as a user to 2 networks at the same time.

A PC running DOS cannot be a LAN user and a LAN server at the same time.
However, a PC connected to a LAN with the proper software can be set up
to be a server so other PCs can NET USE to it.  The DPCC board and software
DOES allow me to turn DPCC into a server and I can connect to it from our
PCs.

Here's what I cannot do:  I would like to (from DPCC) connect to the PCI
Apollo connection with a NET USE.  Then I would like to turn myself into a
server to the PC LAN.   BINET allows access to 2 networks only if both
connections are users, not servers.

Imagine the potential of this type of connection.  By issuing a single
NET USE command from any PC, the entire Apollo file system becomes available
as a logical drive to that PC.  Users of both PCs and Apollos could work
out of a common directory regardless of the platform.  Backups could be done
on a single platform, .....

Anybody have an idea of how to go about getting a version of BINET that
would allow this?

-- 
Dick Harrigill, an independent voice from:     Boeing Commercial Airplanes 
M/S 9R-49  PO BOX 3707                       Renton Avionics/Flight Systems
Seattle, WA  91824                                  Computing Support
(206) 393-9539     rfh3273@galileo.rtn.ca.boeing.com