X-Envelope-to: CDROMLAN@IDBSU.BITNET
X-VMS-To: IN%"CDROMLAN@IDBSU.BITNET"
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.cdromlan
Date:         Fri, 25 Sep 1992 22:11:00 CDT
              <CDROMLAN@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         "Timothy M. Logan" <LOGANT@BAYLOR.BITNET>
Subject:      DOS CD's in a Mac network

Here's a question regarding integrating DOS-based CD-ROM products into a
Macintosh network environment:
(N.B. Licensing issues are not the issue yet.  I am aware of the issues
relating to network access to CD products, as well as to the enabling
software itself.  This query is intended for technical issues only, with
the licensing issues to be addressed when and if needed.)

Environment:
        A campus-wide AppleTalk network with 1300+ Macintosh computers
connected to it.  Very few DOS computers installed in faculty and staff
offices.
Target software:
        DOS-based search and retrieval CD-ROM bibliographic software
(SilverPlatter, Wilson, etc.)
Desired solution:
        To allow Mac users to have networked access of some sort to DOS-
based bibliographic search software.
Proposed solution:
        Multiple CD drives connected to Mac AppleShare server, with DOS
discs mounted.  Multiple copies of SoftPC/SoftAT available for use from
the server.  Mac users would use AppleShare to first launch SoftPC/AT to
initiate a DOS session on their Macs.  Then, they could mount CD-ROM's
attached to the server machine on E: or F:, and run the search software
under SoftPC/AT to address and query the CD's.
        Running SoftPC/AT over the network functions.  The CD-ROM can
be mounted easily to E: or F:.
Problem:
        When an ISO-9660 CD-ROM is inserted into a Mac CD-ROM player, with
the Mac running Foreign File Exchange, the CD mounts up nicely in
ISO-9660 format.  The file names are shown in full ISO-9600 format,
including name, extension, and version, i.e. GO.BAT;1 or SCMDF1.NDX;1.
When SoftPC/AT from a remote machine is used to mount the CD-ROM as a
network disk, SoftPC/AT sees an illegal DOS file name, greater than 8.3,
since the version number is included, even though these files are native
DOS files.  SoftPC/AT then translates the extension into some
incomprehensible file extension, rendering it unusable by DOS.  As a
consequence, SoftPC/AT is unable to find any of the needed files to make
the software run.
        It seems to me that if there were a program that would allow the
Mac to mount an ISO-9660 disk as a DOS disk, rather than ISO-9660 under
the Mac OS, that the file name issue would be resolved.  In other words,
the Mac's DOS mounter program would take care of stripping off the version
number that confuses SoftPC/AT.
        I have tried both PC Exchange (Apple) and AccessPC (Insignia), which
allow DOS floppy disks to be mounted on the Mac Desktop.  Unfortunately,
neither product is apparently able to mount a CD in the same fashion.
Summary:
        If we were able to make the Mac server/SoftAT solution work, we
would be able to provide a much greater range of access to information
within the context of network and expertise.  Much of the technical part
of this solution has been solved, and I am stumped only on SoftPC/AT's
and the Mac's inability to deal with file names, specifically the version
number at the end of each file.
        Does anyone have any ideas on how I can proceed?  Thanks much for
your suggestions.

Tim Logan
Project Manager                 Internet: logant@baylor.edu
Baylor University C.C.I.S.      Bitnet:   LOGANT@BAYLOR
P.O. Box 97268                  THEnet:   BAYLOR::LOGANT
Waco, TX 76798                  Phone:    (817) 755-2711
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Subject: (no subject given)