---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash Third Party Product Announcements SunFLASH Vol 27 #7 March 1991 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Occasionally, I'm asked to send out some information about a non-Sun product. Sometimes I will see an annoucement, e.g. in a Usenet newsgroup, that I think will be of general interest. This article is a collection of 7 announcements. The usual disclaimer applies: Reprinting this information does not imply an endorsement by Sun Microsystems. -johnj ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rapport from Clarity Software Boost NFS performance with eNFS Intergraph Chooses SPARC Platform SmartLeaf --- New Tools for Interleaf Users Landscan-DEM (Digital Elevation Modelling) INTERPHASE NC400 Network CoProcessor Unix International Releases 1991 Schedule 01/23/91 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Rapport from Clarity Software From: Deborah Glass HOT NEW PRODUCT, RAPPORT, MAKES LIFE A LITTLE EASIER FOR SUN WORKSTATION USERS - TRIAL COPIES AVAILABLE I've just seen a hot new application program for Sun workstations! It's called Rapport and Clarity Software just introduced it at Uniforum last month. Based on OPEN LOOK and X windows, this "mac-like" application includes: * a document editor * a spreadsheet * presentation and business graphics (drawing, raster, charts, and slides) * advanced electronic mail with integrated fax * audio capabilities Rapport's open architecture lets you put text, spreadsheets, graphics, and audio in one document. Then you can print, e-mail, or fax it from your workstation. You can even e-mail to people on different hardware (like Macs and PCs), using different software because of Rapport's built-in converters. Okay, - you've sunk a lot of time and money into the applications and data you already have. And even though Rapport is very friendly and "mac-like", you might not want to learn another software package. No problem - you can "swap in" your favorite application for one of Rapport's. For example, if you'd rather use Framemaker as your editor, or Lotus 1-2-3 as your spreadsheet...you can. Plus Rapport has advanced e-mail. Among other things, it'll help you organize all those mail messages with automated sorting and it lets you send your documents "live" so others can review or edit them. Clarity is offering a trial copy of Rapport by calling 800.235.6736 or 415.691.0320, ext 740. Or e-mail them at sales@clarity.com. And when you call, be sure to ask about their special introductory pricing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Boost NFS performance with eNFS From: cdc+@andrew.cmu.edu (Carolyn D. Councill) Newsgroups: comp.newprod Introducing eNFS, a software-only product that can improve NFS write speed anywhere from 2 to 5 times: o Full compatibility with the NFS protocol o Easy server-only installation o Transparent to all vendors' NFS clients o Designed for virtually all large file applications o Toll-free phone number for technical support o 30 day money-back guarantee Installed on your Sun server, eNFS intelligently allocates server resources to provide more efficient disk scheduling, reducing seek operations by as much as 80%. eNFS provides better utilization of NFS daemons and expanded NFS buffering, increasing server capacity and reducing the need for retransmissions. The bottom line is improved server response and increased network throughput. How eNFS Helps You Build a Better Network Use eNFS is you're involved with CAD/CAM/CAE, image analysis, project management, records management, technical publishing or other applications that require moving large amounts of data across the network frequently. If your network is relatively efficient, today's NFS will handle write requests at about 120KB/sec., NFS' maximum speed. With its proprietary disk scheduling algorithms and optimizing capabilities, eNFS can increase your network's speed to anywhere from 200 to 600KB/sec. The specific amount of improvement in NFS write performance and network throughput you receive will depend on a number of factors: type of disk and disk interface, number of writes performed, network data loss, server processor speed, and network interface. Applications with more than 10% NFS writes and utilizing high-speed SCSI, IPI, and SMD disks will show the largest increases. If your network throughput is significantly lower than 120KB/sec., the problem may not be poor NFS server write response time, but other factors such as slow disks, slow network interfaces, networks with high data lossage, or mismatched clients and servers. In these instances, optimizing server writes with eNFS may not help the problem. Easy Server-only Installation eNFS is dynamically loaded into your Sun server's kernel; no kernel build or reboot is necessary -- just add a single command to your server's startup script. A benchmark test program, supplied as part of the eNFS distribution, lets you monitor the write performance of your NFS server, both before and after you install eNFS. Supported Hardware and Operating System Configurations eNFS supports all manufacturers' clients and is implemented for Sun Microsystems servers. eNFS implementations for non-Sun servers are not available at the time of this announcement. Currently, eNFS supports SunOS versions 4.1 and 4.1.1 for the Sun-3, Sun-4, SPARCstation, and SPARCserver technologies. INTERSTREAM pledges to provide updates compatible with subsequent releases of SunOS in a timely manner. Distribution Media INTERSTREAM supplies the eNFS product on a 3 1/2" diskette, 8mm tape, or 1/4" streaming tape. Committment and Support eNFS comes with a one year support agreement including: a toll-free number for product questions, problem reports, and technical support; new revisions of eNFS without charge; and a newsletter, published 3 times per year, to acquaint customers with new products. INTERSTREAM is so confident that eNFS will improve the performance of your NFS environment, we provide you with a 30 day money-back guarantee. If you're not completely satisfied with eNFS, you can return it within 30 days and receive a full refund. Contact INTERSTREAM for details at 1-800-677-7876. INTERSTREAM, INC. 1501 Reedsdale Street Pittsburgh, PA 15233-2329 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Intergraph Chooses SPARC Platform For Mechanical Engineering and MicroStation Software Huntsville, Ala., March 4,1991 -- Intergraph(R) Corporation today announced enhancements to its dual platform hardware strategy. Specifically, the company said that it will port a suite of mechanical engineering software applications and the Microstation computer-aided design and drafting software to SPARC-based workstations. Intergraph will continue to manufacture and support its full line of RISC-based CLIPPER workstations. "Today's mechanical engineering marketplace demands the fexibility of a dual platform offering combined with superior software solutions," said Intergraph chairman and CEO James Meadlock. "Our customers also tell us they want to be able to easily integrate their electronics and mechanical applications. Having already made the commitment to support our DAZIX customers with both CLIPPER and SPARC-based workstations, it was a natural decision to move the mechanical product offerings onto the SPARC platform. Today's announcement follows Intergraph's Jan. 3 decision to port its electronic design automation software to SPARC-based systems and sell the packages through its DAZIX business unit. Intergraph aquired DAZIX on Dec 24, 1990. In February, Intergraph and Sun Microsystems signed a reseller contract enabling Intergraph to purchase up to $150 million of Sun's SPARC-based workstations during the next three years. Analysts Applaud Strategy Today's announcement was met with praise from several industry analysts. "It's one of the most important announcements in the CAD/CAM industry in this decade," said David Burdick, an industry analyst and vice president, Dataquest systems group. "It's a real boost for Intergraph. It gives their customers a second platform to work with. This combined with their rich array of electronic and mechanical software offerings, gives Intergraph a tremendous edge in the competitive CAD industry." Said Gisela Wilson, computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) program manager with market researchers IDC, "This is a really great announcement for Intergraph. I knew they would expand their platform strategy beyond electronics, but I had no idea it would happen so soon." Flexibility for Mechanical Designers and Engineer Intergraph's mechanical software applications, built on the company's Engineering Modeling System (I/EMS), addresses the complete design, engineering, and manufacturing workflow. The I/EMS family of products bring customers comprehensive solutions for developing products from concept to manufacture. Meadlock said that, I/EMS is scheduled to be available on SPARC systems in the second quarter of 1992. MicroStation Extends to SPARC Meadlock said, "MicroStation is an extremely popular CAD/CAM graphics package, and our customers have asked us to put it on additional platforms. MicroStation 32 runs on Intergraph's UNIX workstations. MicroStation is expected to operate on the SPARC platform by the first quarter of 1992. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: SmartLeaf --- New Tools for Interleaf Users From: foulser@topaz.asd.sgi.com (David Foulser) Newsgroups: comp.newprod Please respond directly to Database Publishing Software and not to the poster. SmartLeaf --- New Tools for Interleaf Users SmartLeaf automatically generates Interleaf documents from data in databases. One can perform mail-merge and form-fill, build database reports, create data sheets, publish parts lists, generate phone directories, and produce illustrated parts catalogs, without re-entering the data into Interleaf and without programming. SmartLeaf connects Interleaf documents to databases by adding links (SmartLinks) directly to the documents. SmartLeaf uses these links to generate Interleaf tables, charts, text components, indexes, and tables of contents automatically. When the information in the database changes, the documents can be updated at the touch of a button. SmartLeaf, by automating data placement in documents, can make pre-printed forms and letters obsolete. It allows users to save the time usually spent entering data and use that time to concentrate on presenting information. SmartLeaf/Librarian SmartLeaf/Librarian, an Interleaf indexing system, records the titles, subjects, and many other attributes of documents and components. When the user requests all documents or components that have a specific property, the Librarian finds them. The SmartLeaf/Librarian application stores document information in a database so users can quickly locate documents, or their contents, without searching the desktop. SmartLeaf can use any combination of document name, component or frame names, user-defined attributes, or keywords to find documents, create new documents, or merge multiple documents together. SmartLeaf/Librarian can even find parts of documents specified by user-defined criteria and paste them together into a new document that can be manipulated using Interleaf. When a user needs to create new documents that contain elements of old documents, he/she can use SmartLeaf/Librarian to build those new documents automatically. SmartLeaf/Librarian can also treat graphics as data items and create a library of all desktop graphics. SmartLeaf/Compare SmartLeaf/Compare allows Interleaf users to compare documents and document hierarchies, whether created in Interleaf or imported from different word processors, CASE tools, and other applications. To show all the differences between two documents, SmartLeaf/Compare produces a new document, marked with all the changes in format and content. These changes are marked as the user requests: SmartLeaf/Compare gives the user the option of having underlines, strike-throughs, deletions, text replacements, and many other choices. These choices even include an option for A-paging which allows the user to freeze the pagination of the document, so that changes do not effect the page numbering. SmartLeaf/Compare also includes an archiving ability. Individual documents and even groups of documents, can be saved in an archive. As individual documents evolve, the user can create new group archives and even retrieve a revision history if it is needed. For more information contact: David Dreyfus Database Publishing Software Phone: 617-246-8363 FAX: 617-246-9046 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Landscan-DEM (Digital Elevation Modelling) CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA, 1991 JAN 29 (NB) -- Landscan, a division of Coles Gilbert Associates here, has announced software for terrain modelling and analysis that runs on Sun SPARCstation workstations. The software was developed in a joint research project with the Alberta Research Council and the University of Calgary's Survey Engineering Department. The interactive elevation modelling system is called Landscan-DEM. DEM is an acronym for digital elevation modelling. Pat Dennis, general manager of Landscan, said that the software would be particularly applicable to planning the construction of facilities such as electrical power lines and pipelines, and to mapping. It is designed to work with digital satellite stereo images. The software is included in Sun's Catalyst program for marketing third-party applications for Sun hardware. Dennis said his company is also seeking out distributors. Depending on the application for which the software is set up, Landscan-DEM will cost from C$50,000 to C$150,000, Dennis said. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: INTERPHASE NC400 Network CoProcessor PRODUCT DESCRIPTION The NC400 Network Coprocessor from Interphase Corporation is an intelligent Ethernet controller and software that dramatically improves the NFS throughput of Sun SPARCserver 470 and SPARCserver 490 file servers. While typical Ethernet controllers handle only the physical layer and data link level protocol processing, the NC400 off-loads the entire NFS protocol stack from the server's processor to the network coprocessor. Without NC400 With NC400 Network Coprocessor Network Coprocessor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /\ |-------------------------------| Operations handled || | File System Operation | by SPARCserver || |-------------------------------|- - - - - - - - - - - || | Data Transfer over VMEbus | /\ || |-------------------------------| || | Multiple Interrupts | || Operations handled by |-------------------------------| || SPARCserver | NFS server | |-------------------------------| Operations handled || | RPC/XDR | by NC400 Network || |-------------------------------| CoProcessor || | UDP | || |-------------------------------| || \/ | IP | || - - - - - - - - - - - - |-------------------------------| || | Data Link | || Operations handled by |-------------------------------| || Ethernet controller | Physical | || |-------------------------------| \/ ------------------------|-------------------------------|----------------------- This off-loading increases the capacity of the server to handle many more workstation clients, Ethernet networks, and NFS requests. The NC400 consists of a 9U VMEbus board with 1 MByte of memory, an MC68020 microprocessor, 30 MB/sec DMA capability, and optimized NFS processing software. Once installed on a SPARCserver, the Network Coprocessor delivers transparent performance improvement without application modification or client rebooting. PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS > Works with Sun Prestoserve to reduce NFS file server bottlenecks. > Allows server NFS capacity to scale to over 700 NFS ops/sec on the SPARCserver 490. > Increases server Ethernet connectivity to 6 Ethernets per server, providing support for over a hundred network clients. > Improves server application performance by off-loading NFS processing. > Operates transparently -- requires no client or application modifications. > Maintains full NFS and UNIX file system semantics and compatibility. PERFORMANCE GAINS Interphase NC400 Network CoProcessors enable SPARCserver 470 and SPARCserver 490 systems to support more NFS operations per second, more Ethernet subnetworks, and more NFS clients. Multiple Network CoProcessors preserve the server's ability to process applications even under heavy NFS traffic loads. With 4 NC400 boards, the SPARCserver 490 can achieve a throughput in excess of 700 NFS operations per second, and support over a hundred network clients. SPARCservers equipped with the NC400 are thus able to support much larger network environments. NFS ops/sec NHFSstone Benchmark +-----------------------*--------------------------------+ 700| * * SS 490 with 4 NC400 | | * + SS 490 with 2 NC400 | 600| * @ SS 490 with 1 NC400 | | * + o SS 490 with ie0 | 500| * + | | * + | 400| * + | | * + | 300| * + | | * + @ | 200| *+ @ | | *+ @ o | 100| +@ o | | @ o | 0+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+--+ 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 Response Time (ms./NFS/op) Many distributed computing environments use the SPARCserver 470 and SPARCserver 490 to process applications as well as function as file servers. For example, CAD users typically run server-based applications including design analysis, plot formatting and specialized peripheral management. Large builds in CASE environments are often run on the server where they have direct, high speed access to data. And, of course, X-terminal and timesharing terminal support require processes to run on the server. All of these applications compete with normal NFS traffic for server CPU cycles. Off-loading communications to the Network CoProcessor means that your applications run faster, improving workgroup productivity. Access to the full power of the server CPU means less user waiting time as well as consistent applcation and NFS performance for all members of the workgroup. RECOMMENDED CONFIGURATIONS Each NC400 is ideal for handling 10 to 40 client workstations. For example, to connect 50 clients to a SPARCserver 470 or SPARCserver 490, two NC400s should be used as client networks and the onboard ie0 Ethernet interface should be used to connect the server to a backbone LAN, as shown below. ===================Backbone Network============+============ | Client Networks | | C C C C ... C C C NC400 +----------+ | | | | | | | | +--+ | | ie0 | ---------------------| |-------| 470 |-------+ Sun Prestoserve +--+ | or | +--+ +--+ | 490 |---------| |----+ server disks ---------------------| |-------| | +--+ | ( ) ( ) | | | | | | | +--+ +----------+ +---( )--( ) C C C C ... C C C NC400 Additional strings of clients may be added to the server as necessary. Interphase supports up to 4 NC400 boards in SPARCserver 470 and up to 6 NC400 boards in SPARCserver 490 systems. HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS The NC400 is supported by Interphase on the SPARCserver 470 and SPARCserver 490 running SunOS 4.1.1 or later. It is compatible with IP, TCP, UDP, XDR, RPC, and NFS. SPECIFICATIONS Host interface: Power requirements: 9U x 400mm VME +5V 6.0 A typical Sun servers supported: 8.0 A maximum SPARCserver 470 +12V 0.5 A SPARCserver 490 Heat Dissipation 12.3 BTU/hour Operating Temperature Network Interface: 0 to 60 C Standard Ethernet 15 Pin For customer enquiries: For press enquiries: Interphase Corporation Interphase Corporation 381 East Evelyn Avenue 13800 Senlac Mountain View, CA 94041 Dallas, Texas 75234 (415) 966-1024 (214) 919-9000 (415) 966-1698 fax (214) 919-9200 fax -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Unix International Releases 1991 Schedule 01/23/91 DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JAN 23(NB) -- Unix International, the association of Unix System V vendors, users and developers, has released the 1991 version of the Unix System V Roadmap, providing an updated schedule of the strategic goals, plans and implementations of the product development timelines for the future development for the System V environment. The 1991 version of the Roadmap reflects the input from the user and vendor communities industry bodies such as X/Open, and recent developments in the open systems marketplace. Initially issued at Uniforum '90, the Roadmap was the first document developed to provide long-term product planning schedules and requirements. During the past year Unix International received feedback on its initial Roadmap from its members and the industry. This feedback has been analyzed and incorporated with changes that have occurred in the marketplace, resulting in the 1991 Roadmap. The first section of the 1991 Roadmap reflects development plans committed to by AT&T's Unix System Laboratories (USL) for 1991. The second section reflects industry requirements and timeframes requested by the industry, through Unix International. In addition to enhanced security and multiprocessing plus, Roadmap '91 specifies early availability of Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) technology, the most advanced in development. This technology enables corporate users to communicate with computing hubs, whether open or proprietary, at different locations. Responding to changing market requirements, USL will deliver the product in the third quarter of 1991. In conjunction with its Roadmap announcement, Unix International has also issued its endorsement of USl's OSI Communications Platform Release 1, CP-1, a portable implementation of the middle and upper layers of the Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) protocols. CP-1, developed at Unix International's request by USL and introduced last year, is optimized for the Unix System V kernel. The product, which has a standard application programming interface (API), encompasses transport packages; administration and maintenance capabilities; file transfer, access and management functions; and development tools. Unix International also stated that additional functionality will be introduced this year. The interface specifications for levels six and seven of the OSI protocol stack have been submitted to X/Open for endorsement. (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910123/Press Contact: Stephen Payne, Unix International, 201-263-8400) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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.