From: weber@rhrk.uni-kl.de (Christoph Weber-Fahr [KIT])
Subject: Re: DOS, OS/2, MAC mixed networks
Organization: University of Kaiserslautern, Germany
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 15:30:32 GMT

Hello,

wjk@Phonogenic.COM (Bill Keenan) writes:
>jack@cadre.dsl.pitt.edu (john p. nelson) writes:
>> 
>> I am trying to get a 10BASE-T network set up for a small non-profit which
>> can allow DOS and OS/2 and MAC pc's to share printers & files on a server
>> (preferably UNIX based), and to have a SLIP or PPP link to a university site
>> so that students and faculty can have access to the university network and
>> the internet.  I suppose the SLIP could be across a fast modem link, but
>> maybe ISDN will be able to handle it eventually(?).  The number of pc's
>> is small (5-10) so it must be a reasonably low-cost solution.
>> 
>> Has anyone done such a network? Can you recommend any source (vendors,
>> consultants, etc.) who would do it without blinking? Does anyone have real
>> experience with DEC's Pathworks or other Lan Manager versions (NCR), in
>> particular the MAC services?
>> 
>Well, having been thinking about this basic configuration. Below is a
>list of the components I would use:

>Server
>	o	33 MHz 386DX ISA upto a 33MHz 486DX2 EISA w/ localbus
>	o	BusTek Ethernet card
>	o	BusTek SCSI card
>	o	a video card and monitor appropriate for a console
>	o	16550 COM card
>	o	FAS driver (source is in public domain)
>	o	UDS Motorola DDS/MR1 CSU/DSU or a good V.32bis/V.42bis modem
>	o	Interactive (from SunSelect) UNIX (w/ TCP/IP and NFS packages)
>TCP/IP Printer Adapter from Microplex
>Morning Star Technologies PPP package
>Macs
>	o	MacTCP 1.1.1 or later from Apple Computer
>	o	NFS and lpd from Intercon
>	o	Eudora from Steve Dorner at Qualcomm
>	o	NewsWatcher from NorthWestern Univ. (????)
>	o	check reviews for Ethernet cards
>DOS, DOS/Windows, OS/2
>	o	TCP/IP w/ NFS from Beame and Whiteside or FTP
>	o	Eudora for DOS or Windows (in Beta now)
>	o	I don't know what news reader I would use, perhaps other will comment
>	o	NE-2100 compatible or Etherlink III __509 Ethernet cards

>I would not bother with ISDN. A 56K ADM circuit is a good value in the
>leased line area. Morning Star's PPP support on-demand connections, so
>a good modem is usable as well.

>I am sure other readers of this newsgroup can improve of refine this
>suggestion, but it represents my thinking at this point-in-time.

My Suggestion:

Alternative software equipment (the server is OK):

Novell Netware 3.11 (10 User), Netware for Macintosh.
NCSA Telnet or Waterloo TCP or CUTCP....
Trumpet News-Reader for DOS

Reasons:

- Cost.
  The above Sotware is _very_expensive. You pay for the server software, and 
  you pay at least once for client software, which is more problematic,
  because you have to pay per client. Even if you base the server on a free
  Unix, e.g. LINUX, you still have to pay for NFS clients, since there
  is no free NFS clients for DOS or OS2 (don't know about MACs). Third, if you
  go with a commercial NFS client, you probably also have to purchase
  commercial telnet/ftp/etc .
  Novell client software is not restricted anyway. They only count
  active connections to the server. Macs don't count, they are seperately
  counted with the NW for Mac package. If you have a straight Novell setup 
  on ethernet, there are several free alternatives for the whole TCPIP 
  suite of clients. 
  Admittedly I don't have US prices at hand.

- Security. A PC NFS client is a wide open security hole. A Novell client is
  a fairly secure (means: never trusted) system. Novell ist specificly
  designed for untrustworthy clients.

- Technology.
  Redirector technology is a difficult thing, especially under DOS.
  The NFS clients I have seen are fairly large, which is a big problem
  in a DOS envoronment, where conventional memory is rare and limited.
  Of course this doesn't apply for OS/2. The Novell Redirector
  AND protocoll stack is quite small, highly optimized and very stable.

Of course, you also could alternatively go with Bill Gates' stuff if 
you like (but I don't like that company very much...).
Also you could think about peer-to-peer LAN's (but I wouldn't recommend any).

Regards

Christoph Weber-Fahr

-- 
  Christoph Weber-Fahr                  |  E-Mail:  weber@rhrk.uni-kl.de 
  Universitaet Kaiserslautern,  KIT     |  S-Mail:  Postfach 3049
  Tel. 0631/205-3391                    |           D-6750 Kaiserslautern
--------------------------  My personal opinion only    ---------------------