---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash SunSelect Introduces PC-NFS 4.0 SunFLASH Vol 40 #18 April 1992 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- First Networking Product to Support MS-Windows 3.1 as well as MS-DOS 5.0 Enhanced Version of PC-NFS Programmer's Toolkit Released BILLERICA, Mass. -- April 13, 1992 -- SunSelect(TM), a Sun Microsystems, Inc. business, today introduced version 4.0 of its popular PC-NFS(R) software and a new enhanced version of the PC-NFS Programmer's Toolkit, the companion developer's product for writing client-server PC-NFS applications. PC-NFS software integrates personal computers into open, UNIX(R) -based client-server environments, allowing personal computer users to access files and resources on all workstations and servers, minicomputers, mainframes or other systems that support ONC(TM)/NFS(R). Users operate within their familiar MS-DOS(R) and MS-Windows(R) environments, but have access to distributed network resources such as powerful fileservers, high-performance printers and worldwide electronic mail systems through the use of open standards such as TCP/IP and NFS. In effect, PC-NFS software lets personal computers become full participants in local- and wide-area networks, providing a platform for running distributed, client-server applications. PC-NFS software was the first product on the market to integrate UNIX resources with the MS-DOS platform. Previous versions of the PC-NFS product are now installed in more than 700,000 personal computers worldwide. What's New In Version 4.0 The new version of PC-NFS software is the first to support MS-Windows 3.1 as well as MS-DOS 5.0. Using standard MS-Windows pull-down menus, PC-NFS 4.0 software users can connect to and browse remote and local network resources such as printers, servers and filesystems. Users can run multiple MS-Windows, MS-DOS and PC-NFS applications simultaneously. The new version also includes a built-in console messaging application that allows MS-Windows, MS-DOS and UNIX users and administrators to communicate quickly and easily across the network. Through enhanced Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS) support, the PC-NFS 4.0 product now provides 4-Mbps and switchable 4/16-Mbps Token Ring drivers for integration into Token Ring environments, and continues to support Ethernet networks as well. PC-NFS users can access more than one server operating system, such as Novell's NetWare(R) and Banyan VINES(TM), simultaneously. Installation of the NDIS facilities is now automated. PC-NFS 4.0 software includes new ease-of-use features for both users and system administrators. Extensive on-line help is available for PC-NFS software under MS-Windows; PC-NFS utilities are available through MS-Windows icons; and installation of primary functions, upgrades and the NDIS drivers has been simplified. For system administrators, server-based upgrades are offered, and enhanced SNMP MIB-II provides improved integration with the SunNet(TM) Manager network management platform and other network management hosts. The new version of PC-NFS software also enhances the PC print server capability by offering a dedicated mode option in addition to the proven background mode. Performance and functionality is improved in both modes. "We found the MS-Windows support very impressive, especially the new console messaging feature, which will allow our system managers to warn users of potential problems or service notifications," said Jean-Pascal Lange, systems administrator for Eurostat, the statistical bureau of the European Community (EC). Additional PC-NFS Products PC-NFS 4.0 software is the cornerstone of the PC-NFS product family. Three additional PC-NFS products are also marketed by SunSelect. PC-NFS LifeLine(TM) Mail and Backup delivers fully-integrated electronic mail and enables users to backup files across heterogeneous networks. PC-NFS Advanced Telnet extends the telnet terminal emulation capabilities of PC-NFS software, enabling PCs to take advantage of powerful environments by emulating a variety of popular mainframe and other host terminals. PC-NFS Programmer's Toolkit provides development tools and industry-standard protocols to create client-server applications in which various parts of the applications are performed by different systems on the network. PC-NFS Programmer's Toolkit 4.0 The new release of the PC-NFS Programmer's Toolkit, Version 4.0, is the first to enable developers to write TCP/IP network-based distributed MS-Windows applications in addition to MS-DOS applications. The enhanced product is also the first to join industry standard APIs (XTI and TIRPC) with TCP/IP on the MS-DOS 5.0/MS-Windows 3.1 platform. To facilitate fast and easy programming, the Toolkit now supports the industry's most commonly used compiler products: the Microsoft C 6.0 compiler and the Turbo C++ 2.0 and 3.0 compilers from Borland. The PC-NFS Programmer's Toolkit also provides all transport-independent and transport-specific RPC client calls (TIRPC); X/Open Transport Interface Routines (XTI); XDR, Sun's standard for data interchange between dissimilar machines; the NIS network naming service; and BSD sockets. The Toolkit has been used to create a wide variety of software products, including X Window System applications, terminal emulators, and database, CAD/CAM and document control packages. In fact, the Toolkit was used to develop PC-NFS Advanced Telnet and PC-NFS LifeLine Mail and Backup. Availability Version 4.0 of SunSelect's PC-NFS software is currently available. Version 4.0 of the PC-NFS Programmer's Toolkit will be available May 27, 1992. Both products are sold through local Sun Microsystems Computer Corp. (SMCC(TM)) sales offices, SunExpress(TM), and authorized SunSelect resellers and other distribution channels. SunSelect Product Marketing Contact: Cliff Utstein (508) 671-0299 Press Contacts: SunSelect Kathryn Watson (415) 336-6851 Hi-Tech Public Relations Kathryn Lang (415) 864-5600 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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, paris.cs.miami.edu, uunet.uu.net, src.doc.ic.ac.uk and ftp.adelaide.edu.au 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.