hide random home http://www.ant.co.uk/ant/prod/datasheets/softw.html (The Risc Disc Volume 2, 10/1995)

Ethernet Software

DS002 - Ethernet Software

Introduction

This datasheet is designed to give you some information about the networking software available for use with your Ethernet network. It describes ways in which you can organise your network to suit your needs, and the software available and appropriate for different requirements. All the software which can be built into the ROM in your Ethernet interfaces is described separately.

Network design

The choice of network software is important for the way you will use your network. Before choosing a product, consider what your requirements are both now and in the future. Ask yourself the following questions:

How big is the network? Is it a single network, perhaps in a classroom? What are the main tasks you intend to carry out with the network? Do you simply want to share resources such as hard disks and printers? Or do you need to connect your Acorn computers to other networks or to UNIX or other servers?

It is possible to combine several software options to provide the range of features which you want.

Peer-to-peer networking

With peer-to-peer networking the Ethernet and its software are used simply to connect the computers and peripherals such as printers. You can then use the network to access files held on hard discs on each computer on the network, and to send files to the printer.

Acorn Access is the only option for easy file sharing; users can manage which files on their hard discs can and cannot be accessed by other users. Each machine requires its own hard disc and up to 20 machines can be connected to the network. Although there is little network management work, users do have to know how to use the software and to use it in a disciplined manner.

Client-server networking

Client-server networking offers a greater range of choices, from simple central storage for files and applications to powerful software enabling you to talk to a wide range of servers including UNIX and PC systems. All the other software described here works as client-server software. A computer with a hard disc is required as server, and there will be varying amounts of setup and maintenance work depending on the exact software used.

Simple client-server options are a good choice for small networks where teachers want to retain control and manage network activity. More complex options permit powerful and flexible networking. Clients can of course access more than one server or type of server as required, using sophisticated software such as ANT OmniClient¨.

Acorn software

The Acorn Universal Networks (AUN) product range from Acorn Computers encompasses a variety of styles of networking software which have been designed to inter-operate. Among the software packages currently included in the AUN range are:

Acorn AUN Level 4 File Server

The AUN Level 4 File Server is the primary 'client/server' disk and printer sharing product offered within the AUN range. Level 4 allows up to about 20 users ('clients') to access a central hard disk (the 'server') and achieve secure, reliable disk storage. The program can run on any Acorn 32-bit RISC computer which is equipped with both a hard disk and an Ethernet interface; the older Acorn Econet is also supported by this product.

Acorn Access

A different style of disk sharing is offered by the Acorn Access package, jointly developed by ANT and Acorn. 'Peer-to-peer' disk sharing permits any number of computers, with or without their own hard disks, to exchange files between users directly without the need for a separate file server machine.

Acorn Access is normally provided pre-fitted in ROM to an Ethernet card, so that adding another computer simply involves inserting the card in a vacant slot. It is the simplest of all Ethernet software options to set up and administer, and is most suited to small self-contained networks.

Acorn TCP/IP Protocol Suite

A third style of networking is facilitated by the Acorn TCP/IP Protocol Suite: communications with file servers offering Sun MicroSystems NFS service, often computers running the UNIX operating system or its derivatives.

Typically such computers form the infrastructure of major computer network installations in large companies, and in tertiary and higher educational establishments. While this offers a powerful solution, it requires expertise to set up and manage.

Third party software

In addition, a variety of third-party networking software is available, which can also be operated on Acorn Ethernet networks, with varying degrees of AUN compatibility.

These options offer a wider range of networking choices, and expand the capabilities of your network installation:

ANT OmniClient

ANT OmniClient, as the name suggests, provides a client interface to any server to which your computer is connected. It currently supports all Acorn AUN protocols, Microsoft Windows for Workgroups, Windows NT and LAN Manager, Apple Macintosh and UNIX NFS. Other options are under development.

OmniClient provides a simple interface so that logging on to any server is the same as connecting to a familiar AUN Acorn server. Servers are mounted on the RISC OS icon bar just like hard discs and Acorn servers.

For further details, see ANT DataSheet OmniClient.

Oak/Network Solutions software

Oak/Network Solutions provides a range of software solutions for educational networking. These include Oak ClassROM and ClassShare, and can be provided in ROM for ease of use.

AngelSoft AppFS

AppFS is a dedicated application server, designed to speed the loading of application software from a central application server.

Aleph One PC cards

As well as providing PC compatibility for your Acorn computer, Aleph One 486 PC cards can be used to bridge between the PC and Acorn worlds, letting you log on via the PC card to Microsoft and Novell networks.

Connectivity

Some software, such as AUN, is Acorn-specific. Other software, including ANT OmniClient¨ and Acorn TCP/IP Protocol Suite, lets you connect your computer as a client to other servers.

This means that you can share files with PCs, Apple Macintosh and UNIX computers, and access services from servers such as Novell Netware, Microsoft WIndows NT Advanced Server, and other non-Acorn systems.

OmniClient¨ provides a wide range of connections. See the ANT datasheet OmniClient for an up-to-date list of the options available.

TCP/IP is needed to log on to UNIX systems. You can use it to access a wide range of services provided by such systems.


E&OE. © Copyright ANT Limited, 1995. All rights reserved.
Last updated 27/09/95 NAS.