From: backstrom@ranger.enet.dec.com (ranger::backstrom)
Newsgroups: vmsnet.networks.desktop.pathworks
Subject: RE: VAX to LANserver connection via DECnet
Date: 8 Apr 92 04:00:32 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
X-Posted-via: NEWS-NOTES gateway (a hack!)

>                 M.VAN-DEN-BERG@CGNET.COM (Marco van den Berg)
>                    VAX to LanServer connection via DECNET
>
>I'm looking for a way to connect our main Pathworks host (a dual host VAX
>4000 300) to a departmental Pathworks LAN running off a Lanserver 3100.
>Local DEC now recommends a new product that they say will do the trick,
>but I dare to disagree.  Has anyone out there successfully connected a
>Lanserver 3100 to another VAX by means of DECNET over (asynch or synch)
>modems, and if yes, what are the parts that I need to get to make this
>work, both on the Lanserver and on the 4000 side?  I believe that the
>Lanserver comes with a port that can be configured as serial, but I'm
>not sure about the 4000. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

    There are a number of ways to accomplish this.
    
    Cost varies greately depending on the distance and the speed, 
    availability of the communications link.
    
    I suggest you ask a copy of the Networks and Telecommunications Buyer's
    Guide from your local Digital office. Possibly also the VAX Systems and
    Options Handbook.
    
    To cover the area briefly:
    
        The key point is to get DECnet traffic from one system to another
        (the LANserver 3100 is just another VAX ;-).
        
        Some of the options you have:
        
            Have both machines on the same LAN (Local Area Network), or 
            an extended/bridged LAN. This might not be feasible due to 
            distance, cost or other factors.
            
            Use WAN (Wide Area Network) technology/principles. Basically
            this means async DECnet, sync DECnet over dialup or leased lines
            or a PSDN (Packet Switched Data Network) aka (also known as) X.25
            or even ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network).
            
            This means you connect two machines (your VAX systems or special
            routing devices) with a direct back-to-back connection (using
            a so called null-modem cable), through modems (sync or async) or 
            a mix of modems and multiplexors and/or dataswitches.
            
            This could be a connection from say 1200bps to 64Kbps or even 1Mbps
            or 2Mbps (bps = bits per second).
            
            If the VAX systems are connected back to back (and each has also
            active Ethernet connections), the nodes must have a routing, or
            so called full-function, DECnet license.
            
            A full-function DECnet license, depending on the processor may
            cost so much that you rather go for a small specialized DECnet
            router device. The cheapest, smallest from Digital is probably
            the PC DECnet router adapter card and then the range varies from
            different devices depending on how many ports or connections you
            need and what kind of speeds we are talking about and what kind
            of communications media etc.
            
    But, basically, connecting two VAX systems running DECnet is technically
    a piece of cake and relies on proven technology and concepts dating 15
    years back.
    
    I'm afraid I can't be more specific without knowing your environment,
    your budget and other constraints.
    
    So I suggest you get the documents I mentioned, familiarize yourself
    with the basic concepts and solutions presented (especially in the
    Networks and Telecommunications Buyer's Guide) and ask your local Digital
    office to present you with a few different solutions based and help you
    decide between them based on your specific environment.

    I'm sure they can explain why they are recommending one way over another
    for doing this.
        
    ...petri (backstrom@ranger.enet.dec.com)
       Personal Computing Systems Group
       Digital Equipment Corporation