brad@Cayman.COM (Brad Parker) (12/11/89)
CAYMAN SYSTEMS SHIPS GATORCARD E/II Fast, 32-Bit Ethernet Card for the Apple Macintosh II Family CAMBRIDGE, MA September 15, 1989 Cayman Systems, Inc. announced today that it has shipped GatorCard E/II, a high performance Ethernet card for the Macintosh II family. The Ethernet adapter connects any Macintosh II, IIx or IIcx directly to standard or thin Ethernet. It lets Macintosh users share files, use electronic mail software and print over the 10Mbit per second Ethernet network. The GatorCard E/II is designed for Macintosh II users who are building high performance networks that require fast file transfers or high speed communications. It provides 32- bit data transfers, the maximum size allowed by the Macintosh II's NuBus. This offers significant speed gains for users of the Macintosh II family, especially the Macintosh IIci, with its 32-bit NuBus width. The GatorCard E/II is significantly faster than Ethernet cards with a maximum of 8-bit or 16-bit data transfers. With the GatorCard E/II, Macintosh users can take advantage of the broader bandwidth of Ethernet and still use AppleTalk networking software for printing and electronic mail. Accessing AppleShare servers and printing to LaserWriters on LocalTalk from Ethernet-based Macintoshes requires a LocalTalk-to-Ethernet gateway like the GatorBox from Cayman Systems. Software included with the GatorCard E/II supports EtherTalk, TCP/IP and DECnet, the protocols most widely used across Ethernet. Using networking software based on these protocols, Macintosh users can communicate with a variety of other computers on Ethernet, including Sun workstations, VAXs, PCs and other workstations and minicomputers. The software also includes NCSA Telnet, a terminal emulation program that lets the Macintosh user log into TCP/IP workstations. This eliminates the need for a second desktop terminal to access resources on Ethernet. When first shipping, the GatorCard E/II supports AppleTalk Phase 1. Software with AppleTalk Phase 2 support is scheduled for shipment by the end of 1989. Cayman Systems also produces the GatorBox, a LocalTalk- to-Ethernet gateway with added services like file sharing with UNIX computers running NFS. The GatorCard E/II complements the GatorBox because it gives EtherTalk-based Macintoshes access to resources in the TCP/IP world that often coexist on the same physical Ethernet. The retail price of the GatorCard E/II is $595. Like other Cayman Systems hardware, the GatorCard E/II is warranted for a full year. To order, call Cayman Systems at (617) 494-1999. Hardware requirements: Macintosh II, IIx, IIcx, IIci Interface: 15-pin D-type (standard Ethernet) connector, BNC for RG58 Thin Ethernet cabling Connectivity: Thick and thin Ethernet connections Packet buffering Multipacket, dual ported local memory, using 16K static local RAM Power dissipation: +5Vdc, 2A maximum, +12Vdc, 0.5A maximum Transfer size: 32-bit NuBus transfers Relative humidity: To 90% non-condensing Operating temperature: 32 to 122 degrees F 0 to 50 degrees C Software: Includes Apple EtherTalk installer and NCSA Telnet terminal emulation software Cayman, the Cayman logo, GatorCard and GatorBox are trademarks of Cayman Systems, Inc. Macintosh and AppleShare are registered trademarks of Apple Corporation. VAX, VMS, and DECnet are registered trademarks of Digital Equipment Corp. UNIX is a registered trademark of AT & T Information Systems. Ethernet is a registered trademark of Xerox Corporation.