beame@maccs.dcss.mcmaster.ca (Carl Beame) (05/24/91)
BW-NFS FOR DOS PROVIDES UNIX CONNECTION FOR PC USERS
Beame & Whiteside's New Client Software Delivers NFS with
Support for Windows, LAN Manager, and More
ANCASTER, ONT -- Beame & Whiteside Software Ltd. today released BW-NFS
for DOS V2.20, a new software solution that can convert any DOS-based
PC into an NFS client. BW-NFS for DOS supports DOS 3.1 and later, and
Microsoft Windows 3.x, giving PC users transparent access to network
resources and UNIX-based services on hosts running NFS (Network File
System). BW-NFS for DOS uses the Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite to create client/server
links with virtually any remote UNIX host. The shell consumes very
little workstation RAM, and can even be loaded into high memory on 386
workstations.
BW-NFS for DOS is compatible with all modes of Microsoft Windows --
real mode for low-end PCs, standard mode for 286 workstations, and
enhanced mode for 386 workstations. Beame & Whiteside's NFS client
software product is a Microsoft-compatible network. Support for
Token-Ring networks is provided through NDIS network drivers. PC
clients also can be configured to coexist with other network operating
systems, such as Novell's NetWare, 3Com's 3+Open, 3+ LAN Manager, and
MS-LAN Manager, so users don't have to sacrifice their existing
environment to add NFS connectivity. In all, BW-NFS for DOS V2.20
supports more than 90 Ethernet and Token-Ring adapter cards.
"The challenge facing network managers is to deliver more processing
power while supporting standards-based integration," said Carl Beame,
President of Beame & Whiteside Software Ltd. "Many of our customers,
such as Purdue University, are finding that RISC-based processing with
UNIX servers gives PC users better performance through tighter
integration. Creating an NFS-based client/server architecture gives PC
users access to UNIX resources that give them more processing power
per dollar."
BW-NFS for DOS delivers simultaneous redirection of up to 24 virtual
disks (i.e., file systems) and eight printers, so NFS clients can
access files from up to 24 different NFS servers. The client software
also supports all UNIX file protections, as well as disallowing the
copying of execute-only files. A different user identification (UID)
and up to 16 group identifications (GIDs) are supported for each
redirection, and each UID and GID is encrypted in memory for greater
security. Group names are controlled through the NET GROUP command.
BW-NFS for DOS also features several services that allow users to
view, verify, or change access to UNIX services. Among these services
are: QUOTA, which displays current resources on remote hosts; DEFAULT,
which allows users to change program parameters; CHGRP and CHMOD,
which change the group ownership and security, respectively, on a
specific file; and LS, which lists the protection and ownership of NFS
files.
The BW-NFS for DOS shell is very small, consuming only 56 Kbytes of
workstation RAM; 44 Kbytes if LIM memory is used for buffering. It is
also very fast since network data can be transferred in blocks up to 8
Kbytes long, rather than the smaller data blocks used by other NFS
software.
BW-NFS for DOS V2.20 also supports background printer or plotter
queuing from a PC or UNIX print queue through Background BWLPD, a
print utility that requires less than 6 Kbytes of memory when run as a
terminate-and-stay resident utility. The BWLPR utility allows
connected PCs that are not running NFS client software to send print
or plotter files to any UNIX print queue, or to any other PC running
BWLPD.
Beame & Whiteside's core TCP/IP connectivity support package, BW-TCP
for DOS, is included with BW-NFS for DOS, or available as a
stand-alone TCP/IP product for the PC. BW-TCP for DOS converts any PC
into a fully functional VT220/VT100, VT52, and TN3270 terminal
emulator running TELNET TCP/IP, and can support up to eight
simultaneous sessions with up to eight different hosts. It delivers PC
support for a variety of network functions, including FTP (File
Transfer Protocol), TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol), FINGER
(network user information), WHOIS (network name lookup), NS LOOKUP
(for name server queries), TALK (a chat function), PING (for network
testing), TRACE ROUTE (for packet tracking, which is useful in network
debugging), and other programs. BW-TCP for DOS also provides Kermit
and Xmodem file transfer to connect to a remote host. BW-TCP for DOS
is extremely fast, handling FTP data transfers at rates up to 600
Kbytes per second. All network utilities will run concurrently under
Microsoft Windows 3.0. The drivers for Ethernet, Token-Ring, TCP/IP,
and UDP/IP are extremely small, memory-resident programs consuming
about 27 Kbytes of RAM.
BW-NFS for DOS V2.20 is compatible with DOS 3.1 or later, and is
available for $349 (U.S dollars). BW-TCP for DOS is available as a
stand-alone product for $245. Right-to-copy licenses and educational
discounts are also available. Both products begin shipping today.
Beame & Whiteside Software Ltd. specializes in developing TCP/IP and
NFS connectivity solutions for DOS-based computing environments. The
company offers a range of NFS solutions for the IBM PC platform that
are both DOS and Windows-compatible. Beame & Whiteside Software Ltd.
can be reached at P.O. Box 8130, Dundas, Ontario L9H 5E7;
telephone/FAX (416) 648-6556.
NFS is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.