OS/2 gives lift to networks

Press, 13 September 1988, Page 28

OS/2 gives lift to networks

Who needs it? This common response to a new product in the computing world is often wrong. MS-DOS afficianados have been questioning the value of Microsoft’s Operating System/2 relentlessly. But before writing OS/2 off, serious users should make an appointment to see the demonstration at Qtech Systems, Sydenham, of a beta OS/2 network. On display at Qtech is a 3Com machine acting as a concurrent server for 3Com’s 3 Plus network software, which is built on the Miscrosoft OS/2 local area network manager. The multitasking power of OS/2 suits networks, which previously used proprietary extensions, of DOS to achieve this.

The OS/2 networks allow minicomputer power, says Mr John McPhee, Qtech’s marketing and sales manager. A key target market for the networks will be minicomputer users. The OS/2 LAN networks will run both MS-DOS and OS/2 applications. They support powerful graphics. Soon the traditional A prompt will be rivalled by the EGA colour windows of OS/2’s Presentation Manager. The price? For five users, 3Com offers OS/2 software under $2OOO in New Zealand. An 80386-based 3Com file server, with 150 Mb hard disk, which sells for about $32,000 in the MS-DOS version, will sell for about $36,000 to power an OS/2 network. Work stations in the network can run under DOS or OS/2. There is a drawback in that the files needed to crank up a machine under OS/2 take about I.2Mb of disk space. A hard disk is advisable on a work station, unless there is remote booting across the network. What advantages will an OS/2 network offer to users?

First, a wide range of applications is being developed. This is because of OS/2’s multitasking, and because the system can access up to 16Mb of RAM under OS/2, compared with the undoctored DOS’s 640 K.

Also, because it is the direction of IBM, it cannot be ignored by software makers. OS/2 will allow more software to be translated from the minicomputer world. Second, OS/2’s Presentation Manager will make work stations easier to use, for new staff particularly. Many will find it easy to point and click a mouse, reducing the commands to be keyed in. Third, managing the network will be easier with the windows orientation. Auto-scheduling allows commands to be performed on a specific date, on a day of the week, or at a specific time. Fourth, there will be other features, such as station-to-station messaging, automatic logging of errors and network use, and a profile of each work station which can be saved and called up.

Fifth, the OS/2 LAN manager has extensive security provisions including a network audit trail, password encryption, and control lists for access to various resources on the network.

Sixth, network software based on the OS/2 LAN manager will make it easier to connect a network to other networks using industry standards. The network will software support netBIOS, Ethernet, or token ring systems. In short, OS/2 LAN must be. considered by anyone thinking of setting up a network.