From: nickn@mummy.agsm.unsw.OZ.AU (Nick_Nikov)
Subject: Re: need simple network
Organization: Australian Graduate School of Management
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1992 00:50:32 GMT

In article <1992Apr9.095818.5210@spectre.pub.uu.oz.au> rjl@spectre.pub.uu.oz.au (Richard Lindner) writes:
>
>i need to implement a simple network linking 2 286 machines and a 8088 machine.
>what i want to do is to have the 2 286's running word processing packages, with
>a printer connected to the 8088. the 8088 will function solely as a print
>server (i.e. - no interactive access required). the links should be via serial
>ports, and the system should be transparent to the application (WordPerfect 
>V5.1). I believe that there's a package available called "the $25 network" which
>will do the job, but i've no idea where to locate it - either here or in the
>'states. can anyone help with either:
>
>1)	a source for the $25 network - either in oz or o.s.
>2)	alternative suggestions to solve this problem.
>
>
>thanks in advance.
You could try Lantastic. See below for more info.

From: "PETER SUMMERS, CARDIOLOGY, RMH" <U5533129@ucsvc.ucs.unimelb.edu.au>
Subject: PC net over serial line

There's a thing called LANTASTIC-Z out there that does this.  I presume it is
distributed by Artisoft.  I know of one site using this between two machine,
and it works quite well so long as the don't try and load large files across
it.

There is also a shareware program called THE $25 NETWORK.

Hope this helps,

Peter Summers

From maurice@bruce.cs.monash.edu.au Tue Feb  4 09:18 EST 1992
	I have been using the Lantastic LanZ package for the last year
and it supports serial port operation at high (for serial ports) speed,
and provides printer and file sharing. The LAN is peer-to-peer and can
be installed with one or both machines acting as servers. Its only
limitation is that it really only supports 2 machines. In addition to
providing serial transfer it can use some parallel ports fro transfer
and can also be used as a remote server over a modem. 

	The package has run fairly well over the last year. The only
problem and all other zero slot lans suffer from is speed. They are all
slow when compared with ethernet or other cards. 

	Cost was (if I remember correctly) less than $200 and closer to
$100.


		Maurice Castro

Maurice Castro                 |  "In hardware engineering, Ohm's
maurice@bruce.cs.monash.edu.au |   law and Maxwell's equations pale
                               |   in importance and influence next
                               |   to Murphy's Law" Gordon Bell

From shane@runxtsa.runx.oz.au Wed Feb  5 21:48 EST 1992

A Melbourne company, Program Development Systems, has something that might
interest you, called Freeway. It allows printer sharing/redirection and back-
ground file transfers (not true network file sharing though).

Give them a call on (03) 563 3063.

Regards,
Mark

-- 
Mark Cheeseman, Technical Editor, Your Computer. ycomputr@runxtsa.runx.oz.au  
packet: vk2xgk@vk2op.nsw.aus.oc     [This space intentionally blank] 
Phn: +61 2 693 4143  Fax: +61 2 693 9720  Fido: 3:712/505.15@fidonet.org


There are in fact MANY such programs. I am in the middle of setting up a BBS,   
and have been checking some of them out. I have at least three or four. If you
would like to get them, you would be most welcome to drop into my workplace (at
Alexandria/Beaconsfield, only about 10 minutes from you) and I'll put them all
on disk for you. Just drop me a line and tell me when you want to come and what
disk format, and I'll give you the address. Phone number is 02-319-6825.

In fact, the best ones use the parallel port of the machine. If you know 
ANYTHING about PCs, you will easily be able to buy two parallel port cards and
poke them into the PCs, giving you a second parallel port to use so that you
can keep your printers, and these cards cost <$10 each. The BIG advantage of
using the parallel ports is that the network runs much faster.

Alternatively, if you have a modem (2400 or 1200 bps) you can beta test my BBS
if you want! Again, drop me a line by E-mail or to the phone # above and I'll
give you the BBS no and operating hours.

                                                    All the best,

						    Phil Dimond.

						    pdimond@kralizec.zeta.org.au

 

-- 
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Nick Nikov		  Internet (AARnet): nickn@agsm.unsw.oz.au
Australian Graduate School of Management,	Tel: 61 2 931 9263
P.O. Box 1, Kensington. N.S.W. 2033.		Fax: 61 2 662 7621