From: mgreen@TECNET1.JCTE.JCS.MIL
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.banyan-l
Subject: BANYAN AND MICROSOFT
Date: 14 Oct 92 22:19:57 GMT
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU

Some information about Banyan and Microsoft Sql Server:

Microsoft Announces Enhanced Integration of Microsoft SQL Server

        With Novell NetWare and Banyan VINES

Provides Native Support for Novell IPX/SPX, Banyan VINES/IP

                and Directory Services



        DALLAS * Oct. 13, 1992 * Microsoft Corporation

today announced the Microsoft* SQL Server Network Integration

Kit (NIK), an enhancement to Microsoft SQL Server that provides

support for native network transport and naming services on Novell

* NetWare* and Banyan* VINES* networks.  With this

enhancement, Microsoft SQL Server becomes the only database

server on the market that provides native integration with virtually

all popular PC LANs.  With the Microsoft SQL Server, users get

the benefit of reduced memory requirements, improved

performance and integration, easier network administration,

simplified installation and reduced network maintenance.

        "Customers will now find it easier to build powerful, easy-

to-use client-server solutions across all popular LANs with the

Microsoft Windows operating system and SQL Server," said Paul

Maritz, senior vice president of the systems division at Microsoft.

"This announcement highlights the strong commitment at Microsoft

to support transparent, multi-vendor networking within the

Microsoft Windows family of products."

        While Microsoft SQL Server is widely installed on Novell

and Banyan LANs today, using the named pipes protocol, the NIK

now gives SQL Server users the ability to access SQL Server as

easily as any native Novell or Banyan network service.  With the

NIK, SQL Server now provides the best possible performance on

all LANs, including Novell NetWare, Microsoft LAN Manager,

Banyan VINES and IBM* LAN Server.



Native Support Means Less Memory Use and Easier Network Administration

        Most database servers today require that client desktops run

special network protocols, such as TCP/IP or named pipes in order

to communicate with the database.  This additional layer of "server

access" software consumes valuable workstation memory and

creates extra configuration work for the network administrator.

        The Microsoft SQL Server NIK addresses this issue by

providing built-in support for Novell's IPX/SPX and Banyan's

VINES/IP protocols, eliminating the need for this extra software

load on each client.  In addition, with the NIK, SQL Server is

automatically registered as a network service so users can access *

and network administrators can manage * SQL Server application

servers as easily as other parts of their Novell or Banyan network.

This increased level of integration allows administrators to view

SQL Server in a way that is consistent with other services running

directly on a NetWare or VINES file server.

        A further benefit of the Microsoft SQL Server NIK is that it

requires no additional network software, thus reducing memory

requirements for applications and improving performance through

elimination of protocol mapping.  In addition, network

administrators benefit from easier network administration,

simplified SQL Server installation and reduced network

maintenance.  The level of integration provided by the SQL Server

NIK for Novell and Banyan networks complements the already

tight integration of SQL Server with Microsoft LAN Manager and

LAN Manager-based networks.

        "Microsoft SQL Server's integration with VINES and

StreetTalk will offer Banyan customers an excellent platform for

building client-server applications that can span enterprise-wide

networks," said Jim D'Arezzo, vice president of marketing at

Banyan.  "We are pleased that Microsoft is capitalizing on Banyan's

long term commitment to simplify the management of global networks."

        The Microsoft SQL Server NIK allows Microsoft SQL

Server to be installed on even the largest Banyan wide-area

networks and to be managed from any Banyan server.  SQL Server

becomes a StreetTalk-addressable service (or in Novell networks,

as a service registered in Novell's Bindery) available to all

authorized users on the network, running just like a native network

service.



Part of Windows NT Network Integration Architecture

        Microsoft SQL Server has long featured a protocol-

independent architecture for client applications.  The Microsoft

SQL Server NIK extends this protocol-independent software

architecture to the server as well.  This technology is the result of a

recently developed network-independent communication approach

being designed in conjunction with Microsoft SQL Server for the

Windows NT* operating system.

        "Transparent network integration and multiple-protocol

support will be built-in features of the Windows NT-based SQL

Server in the future," said Dwayne Walker, director of corporate,

network systems at Microsoft.  "Windows NT will offer customers

not only rich network support but tremendous scalability.  The NIK

allows existing SQL Server customers to benefit from this

technology today."



Improved Integration with SYBASE SQL Server for NetWare, Gateways

        An additional benefit of the Microsoft SQL Server NIK for

Novell customers is improved integration with SYBASE* SQL

Server for NetWare.  Now, customers using SYBASE Open Client

software can access Microsoft SQL Server for OS/2* and

SYBASE SQL Server for NetWare simultaneously with the same

protocols.  This ability allows Novell customers to mix and match

server platforms freely.

        In addition, the NIK has been designed to work with SQL

Server gateways and connectivity applications that are based on the

Microsoft Open Data Services (ODS) technology.  For example,

customers using the Database Gateway for DB2* from Micro

Decisionware will also be able to use the SQL Server NIK to add

native network support on Banyan or Novell LANs.  ODS is a

connectivity library included with Microsoft SQL Server 4.2 that is

licensed by gateway vendors to deliver SQL Server-compatible

connectivity solutions.  Other SQL Server gateways are available

from Rochester Software Connection, DEC and SYBASE.



Pricing and Availability

        Two versions of the SQL Server NIK will be available, one

for Novell NetWare and one for Banyan VINES.  The suggested

retail price for each is $149 per server.  The system requirements

for the NIK are:  Microsoft SQL Server version 4.2 or higher;

Novell requirements are Novell NetWare 2.1x or higher and IPX

version 3.10 or higher, NetWare Shell version 3.26 or higher and

OS/2 Requestor version NSD004.  Banyan VINES requirements

are: 4.1x or higher client support using any supported network wire

topology.  Both versions of the SQL Server NIK are scheduled to

be available by the end of the year.

        Founded in 1975, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ

"MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal

computers.  The company offers a wide range of products and

services for business and personal use, each designed with the

mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take

advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

                        ##########

Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows and Windows NT are

trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Novell and NetWare are registered trademarks of Novell, Inc.

Banyan and VINES are registered trademarks of Banyan, Inc.

IBM, OS/2 and DB2 are registered trademarks of International Business

Machines Corporation.

SYBASE is a registered trademark of SYBASE, Inc.



Price listed is U.S. suggested retail price.  Reseller prices may vary.
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU