---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash PC-NFS Enhancements From Sun Further The Integration Of PCs With Other Systems On The Network SunFLASH Vol 27 #1 March 1991 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Helps PC Users Preserve Existing Investment While Getting Benefits of Client/Server Environment WASHINGTON, D.C. --March 5, 1991-- Sun Microsystems today unveiled enhancements to its PC-NFS(R) networking product family that further integrate PCs into enterprise-wide networks of UNIX(R) workstations, minicomputers, mainframes and other network resources. With these products, PC users can expand their access to information located on diverse systems while still staying in their familiar DOS and Windows 3.0 environment. Introduced were new releases of PC-NFS and a companion product, PC-NFS LifeLine(TM) Mail and Backup. In addition, Sun rolled out PC-NFS Advanced Telnet, a new terminal emulation product that gives PCs greater access to applications on mainframes and minicomputers. The comprehensive PC-NFS family is the industry leader in its field. This product line includes solutions for file and printer sharing, electronic mail, terminal emulation and the creation of distributed applications through a developer's toolkit. PC-NFS is based on Sun's ONC(TM)/NFS(R), an industry standard in multi-vendor networks, with an installed base of 1.3 million systems. This gives PCs equipped with PC-NFS access to any system that utilizes ONC/NFS. The enhancements to the PC-NFS product line demonstrate Sun's growing focus on bringing the many benefits of UNIX client/server computing to DOS PCs. "Networked systems -- particularly those using UNIX -- are the industry's biggest growth segment by far," said Cheryl Vedoe, vice president of software product marketing at Sun. "With PC-NFS, PC users, network managers and application developers can share in this client/server world without losing their existing investment." PC-NFS Boosts Windows 3.0 Support Sun's new release, PC-NFS 3.5, is compatible with MS Windows 3.0. This enables users to access information, interact with the network and perform the many other tasks made possible with PC-NFS within the familiar, easy-to-use Windows environment. In addition, this latest release gives users greater productivity through added support of industry standards. For example, networked PCs can now be monitored along with UNIX workstations and other systems on the network because of support for SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). Many network management products such as SunNet(TM) Manager are based on this protocol. PC-NFS 3.5 also supports the 3Com/Microsoft NDIS (Network Driver Interface Specification). As a result, almost every vendor's Ethernet board -- which is installed in the PC and necessary for PC-NFS connectivity -- can be used. This new release makes possible greater sharing of network resources by allowing simultaneous access of up to 14 network devices, such as printers and storage systems. In addition, network users can now access PC printers, in addition to the printers attached to ONC/NFS servers. Expanded E-Mail Capabilities PC users now have many of the electronic mail functions normally found in larger systems as a result of PC-NFS LifeLine Mail and Backup 2.0. This add-on application has always supported industry standards such as POP (Post Office Protocol) and SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), which give users wide access to other popular third-party e-mail services. The new release now supports the 8-bit ASCII format, allowing users to communicate easily with international locations. In addition, PC-NFS LifeLine now permits notification of incoming mail through a new configuration feature and lets users send several files attached to a single mail message. It also has a new automated DOS-based scheduler that performs time-consuming tasks like disk backup in off hours. Access to Mainframes and Minis Via Terminal Emulation A new add-on application, PC-NFS Advanced Telnet, was co-developed by Sun and Walker Richer & Quinn, the leading supplier of PC-based terminal emulation products. Based on its popular REFLECTION series, this new product expands the existing VT 100 terminal emulation capabilities of PC-NFS. Advanced Telnet lets users access IBM mainframe, DEC VAX and Tektronix applications on non-ONC hosts by emulating popular terminals such as the TN 3270, VT 320 and Tektronix 4014. In addition, the product is compatible with Windows 3.0. Advanced Telnet has a range of sophisticated features that deliver fast, accurate emulation, such as the ability to manage up to three host sessions simultaneously and switch between PC and host sessions with a single keystroke. The product also lets users customize their keyboard to match the requirements of specific hosts and applications. In addition, it offers international transfer of characters through support for 8-bit data streams. PC-NFS is Comprehensive Environment The PC-NFS family is a comprehensive solution for integrating PCs into multi-vendor networks of diverse systems. It gives PC users a range of services and capabilities that are usually reserved for more powerful networked systems. An important component is the PC-NFS developer's toolkit, for creating distributed applications in which various parts of an application are performed by different systems. For example, using the PC's familiar interface, workgroups can access a distributed financial database residing on a workstation. PC-NFS LifeLine and PC-NFS Advanced Telnet were both developed with the toolkit. PC-NFS 3.5 is available now. A site-wide upgrade package is available for existing PC-NFS users. PC-NFS LifeLine Mail and Backup 2.0 will be available April 30. PC-NFS Advanced Telnet will be available April 1. Quantity pricing is also available. All PC-NFS products can be ordered through Sun's telemarketing service by calling 1-800-USA-4SUN (1-800-872-4786) in the United States. Customers will receive their order within five days. PC-NFS is also available worldwide through any Sun sales office or distributor. Sun Microsystems, Inc., headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., is a leading worldwide supplier of network-based distributed computing systems, including professional workstations, servers and UNIX operating system and productivity software. ### PC-NFS and NFS are registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. ONC, LifeLine and SunNet are trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark of UNIX System Laboratories, Inc. REFLECTION is a registered trademark of Walker Richer & Quinn, Inc. All other products mentioned herein are identified by the trademarks as designated by the companies who market those products. Inquiries concerning such trademarks should be made directly to those companies. For reader inquiries, telephone 1-800-821-4643. PR contact Carol Sacks (415) 336-0521 Hi Tech Public Relations Claudia Carasso (415) 864-5529 x241 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For information send mail to info-sunflash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Archives are on solar.nova.edu and paris.cs.miami.edu. All prices, availability, and other statements relating to Sun or third party products are valid in the U.S. only. Please contact your local Sales Representative for details of pricing and product availability in your region. Descriptions of, or references to products or publications within SunFlash does not imply an endorsement of that product or publication by Sun Microsystems. John McLaughlin, SunFlash editor, flash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. (305) 776-7770.