---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash SunSoft Introduces Early Access Program For NIS+ Enterprise Naming Service SunFLASH Vol 34 #10 October 1991 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Service to be Demonstrated at Interop for First Time ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- SunSoft, the systems software subsidiary of Sun Microsystems, Inc., today introduced an early access program for its Network Information Service Plus (NIS+) enterprise naming service. The press release is attached for your reference. NIS+ will be a part of the Solaris 2.0 environment, which SMCC has committed to deliver in the first half of 1992. SMCC is encouraged to see SunSoft's continued development of the industry's leading distributed computing solution, ONC. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SAN JOSE, Calif. -- October 9, 1991 -- SunSoft, Inc., the system software subsidiary of Sun Microsystems, Inc., today introduced an early access program for its Network Information Service Plus (NIS+) enterprise naming service. The new service allows system administrators to easily streamline information across far-flung heterogeneous networks that could have tens of thousands of nodes located worldwide. This gives users transparent access to resources and data across multiple networks. NIS+ was demonstrated for the first time at the INTEROP `91 conference here today. NIS+ is an addition to the industry-standard ONC suite of networking products, the foundation of SunSoft's Solaris(R) distributed computing solution. With the early access program, limited ONC technology licensees can obtain NIS+. In addition, NIS+ will be bundled with SunSoft's Solaris 2.0 solution scheduled for shipment in the first half of 1992. According to International Data Corp. (IDC), a market research firm based in Framingham, Mass, ONC has an installed base of 2.2 million nodes. This base opens up a large market for SunSoft's new NIS+ solution. To date, more than 300 organizations have licensed ONC technology, including IBM, Apple, DEC, HP and Novell. ONC implementations provide interoperability across all major types of computers from PCs to main frames and across all operating systems including MS-DOS, MS-Windows, MacOS, OS/2, UNIX, VM, MVS and VMS(R). "Networking is the cornerstone for next-generation distributed computing applications," said Michael Zadig, director of product marketing at SunSoft. "With NIS+, we are able to build on our industry-standard networking technologies to provide system administrators and users with the tools needed for distributed computing today." Scalable Naming Solution NIS+ is a completely redesigned implementation of SunSoft's Network Information Service (NIS). NIS+ acts as a directory -- maintaining a database of location and characteristics of resources, such as hosts, printers and applications, across the enterprise network -- and can be accessed by multiple users. In many instances, the NIS+ database could be required to manage tens of thousands of pieces of directory information at the same time. Unlike NIS, NIS+ uses a hierarchical naming model that allows for distributed network administration, critical for managing enterprise networks. The NIS+ service database can be partitioned into network subsets that are managed autonomously, thereby providing administrative flexibility and creating a scalable solution. The database for each subset, or domain, is replicated from the main network servers to subordinate servers for higher name service availability. Whenever information is altered within these database partitions, -- such as the addition or relocation of resources -- the changes are rapidly reflected throughout the network, increasing consistency and performance. In addition, NIS+ scales as networks grow, making it a viable naming service for the full range of networks, from single LANs to enterprise-wide distributed networks with tens of thousands of nodes. Enhanced security features including flexible authentication and multilevel authorization also make NIS+ suitable for mainstream commercial environments. Path to Project DOE NIS+ is designed to work in today's software environments as well as in emerging distributed object-oriented environments. NIS+ system used in SunSoft's Project DOE (Distributed Objects Everywhere). As the Solaris 2.0 solution moves to incorporate Project DOE, NIS+ implementations and the applica tions that utilize NIS+ will migrate to Project DOE. In addition, SunSoft is working with UNIX International to contribute NIS+ technology to the Atlas distributed computing framework. Distributed Application Support NIS+ features an enhanced application programming interface (API) that allows software developers to incorporate NIS+ into their distributed applications. Applications can use NIS+ to transparently locate network resources, or as a secure repository of net work-accessible data for multiplatform applications. "In our experience, organizations wish to profile all of their employees and outside contacts in their shared directory service while demanding excellent performance, easy administration and water-tight security from their applications," said John R. Busch, chief technical officer of Clarity Software, Inc., a multimedia productivity company located in Mountain View, Calif. "With NIS+, our product (Rapport) can meet all of these needs in an easy and effective manner." NIS+ has been designed to allow for the smooth migration of existing NIS applications to the new naming service. The APIs in NIS+ will be compatible with the current implementation of NIS. NIS+ servers will also have a compatibility mode to accommodate NIS clients. Pricing and Availability NIS+ will be available as a part of the Solaris 2.0 solution and be licensed as a separate technology to hardware vendors and system software companies. SunSoft will begin licensing of the NIS+ early access release in November to limited ONC hardware and software licensees. Early access for system software companies will begin in the first quarter of calendar year `92. Pricing, including redistribution rights and royalties, will be announced at a later date. Product inquiries should be directed to SunSoft at 1-800-227-9227. SunSoft, Inc., headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., is a subsidiary of Sun Microsystems, Inc. The company is a leading worldwide supplier of system software for distributed computing. SunSoft's products are targeted at software developers, system administrators and end users, and are licensed by SunSoft and sold through major computer system manufacturers and value added resellers (VARs) worldwide. PR contact: SunSoft, Inc. Laura Ramsey (415) 336-0739 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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.