The University of Pennsylvania's Online Computing Magazine
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September 1991 - Volume 8:1 [Printout | Contents | Search ]
By Randall Couch Five networking products have been qualified for use on PennNet under a process known as Technology Release. They are being provided or recommended on a limited-support basis by the office of Information Systems and Computing (ISC). One of the products is an AppleTalk router and IP gateway for Macintosh local area networks; one provides a ProComm interface for DOS microcomputers using PennNet's high-speed TCP/IP network; and three products can be used together to form a low-cost, microcomputer-based electronic mail system using the Post Office Protocol (POP). ISC has adopted the Technology Release process to make useful products such as these available to experienced or specialized users in a timely manner, without the delay required to develop full product support. Campus support for these products is limited to the best efforts of specified ISC technical staff as noted below. Do not call the CRC hotline with questions about them. These Technology Release products have been qualified for compatibility with PennNet; however, users are responsible for determining the suitability of the products for their specific purposes. ISC is distributing software for some products, while others must be obtained from vendors or other sources. Brief instructions for installation and use are available in NETINFO, PennNet's online information service. A future article will give particulars of the Technology Release process and the complementary Program Management at Penn (PMAP) system.
Cayman GatorBox CSCayman's GatorBox CS provides two kinds of Macintosh networking services.As an AppleTalk router, it allows applications using AppleTalk network protocols to communicate between LocalTalk and Ethernet media. Users can share files (using AppleShare, for example) and network devices (such as printers) with users on other LocalTalk or Ethernet LANs transmitting AppleTalk protocols. As an IP gateway, the GatorBox permits TCP/IP applications to use LocalTalk media. This means that several Macintoshes (including models such as the Mac Plus and SE, for which no direct Ethernet card is supported on campus) attached to a GatorBox can have access to the TCP/IP network via a single PennNet Ethernet connection. In addition, the GatorBox provides IP tunneling-connecting AppleTalk LANs across PennNet's TCP/IP network. When configured to do so, the GatorBox encapsulates AppleTalk packets in IP packets, so they "tunnel" through IP routers. Macintosh users can see the AppleTalk zones at the other end of the tunnel. This function is becoming increasingly important as PennNet adds IP routers between buildings to manage the growth in network traffic. DCCS recommends that each purchaser of a GatorBox CS designate a LAN administrator, who should contact Tony Olejnik (e-mail: tony@dccs.upenn.edu) to coordinate network administration. Support questions must also be sent to that address. Penn-affiliated buyers can purchase the GatorBox CS (part number 10101-1) for $1677 from:
Cayman Systems Inc.
ProComm Plus, Network VersionProComm Plus extends the familiar interface used by ProComm software for asynchronous terminal emulation and file transfer to the high-speed environment of TCP/IP services. Popular features such as scripting work just as they do in ProComm.ProComm Plus's manufacturer, Datastorm Technologies, intends for this software to reside on a LAN server to be shared by five or more users simultaneously. The basic starter package includes one copy of the software, a license for five users, and five sets of documentation. Additional license/documentation sets can be purchased separately. Unfortunately, Datastorm does not currently market a single-user version of this software, and the license prohibits copying the program for five people to use on five single-user computers. DOS computers equipped with one of two hardware-software combinations can run ProComm Plus, Network Version:
Further details are available in the document "Using ProComm Plus on PennNet" in the NETINFO Online Document Retrieval Service. Support questions must be sent to pomeranz@dccs.upenn.edu.
Post Office Protocol productsThe Post Office Protocol (POP) offers a vendor-independent standard for low-cost, workstation-based electronic mail systems. It provides a mechanism for client mail-agent software to access a central mail server. Using POP, a user can manage mail tasks (read, forward, delete, compose, etc.) on his or her local microcomputer using software that integrates well with the familiar local environment. Because messages are downloaded in batches from the server to local disk storage, their manipulation is faster than on host-based systems limited by asynchronous communication speed. Unlike users of host-based mail systems, POP users need not learn new editors or command languages to process mail messages. Once messages have been downloaded to the local computer, however, they are more difficult to access from a remote location (such as a home computer) than messages on host-based systems. Copying the messages to a floppy disk is usually necessary.A POP server functions like a U.S. post office box: It provides an address, receives mail, and holds it until the user picks it up (downloads it to his local workstation).
ISC POP serverDCCS, the data communications division of ISC, has developed and will administer a POP server which can be accessed over PennNet by any POP-compliant client software, such as the packages listed below. Initially up to 100 user accounts will be established without charge. DCCS will evaluate the effect of POP traffic on network resources so it can plan to support possible expansion of the service and determine what the appropriate cost-recovery mechanism should be. DCCS is not at present distributing POP server software. While POP servers generally can support work-group-based mail systems, the ISC POP server is intended to serve individual student, faculty, and staff users of workstations who do not have access to other campus mail systems. Further information about the ISC POP server can be found in the document "Getting Started with POP on PennNet" in the NETINFO Online Document Retrieval Service. Requests for accounts, as well as access problems or questions about the server, must be communicated via e-mail to hagan@dccs.upenn.edu.
POP client for DOS computersDCCS has qualified a POP client for DOS computers that is included with FTP PC/TCP software release 2.05. This commercially available package is one of two currently supported Ethernet drivers for DOS computers on PennNet. It runs on DOS computers with Western Digital Ethernet cards, but not on Ungermann-Bass-equipped machines. A PennNet Ethernet (IP) connection is also necessary--this POP client will not work over asynchronous connections. This client can be used with the ISC POP server or with any other protocol-compliant server to which its user has access.FTP Software's POP client permits attachment of ASCII or binary files to mail messages. Installation and configuration information for this software is available in the document "FTP Software POP Client" in the NETINFO Online Document Retrieval Service. Technical support questions for this client should be sent via e-mail to pomeranz@dccs.upenn.edu.
Macintosh POP client (Eudora)DCCS has also qualified a public-domain POP client for Macintoshes called Eudora. This client can be used by any Macintosh with access to the IP network, whether by a direct PennNet Ethernet connection or through an IP gateway such as the Cayman GatorBox CS. It can also be used by any Macintosh with an asynchronous connection to PennNet. Note, however, that POP mail data sent across an asynchronous connection is not automatically error checked, so data integrity is not guaranteed- although errors are unlikely except on noisy or poor asynchronous connections to PennNet. Eudora can be used with the ISC POP server or any protocol-compliant server to which its user has access.Eudora is well integrated into the Macintosh point-and-click interface. Functions like cut, copy, and paste between Eudora and other applications work smoothly. Eudora permits attachment of ASCII or binary Macintosh files to mail messages. Eudora is available from DCCS file servers for downloading over PennNet using FTP or Kermit. Details about downloading and configuring Eudora are available in the documents "Getting Started with POP on PennNet" and "Eudora, a Macintosh POP Client" in the NETINFO Online Document Retrieval Service. Support questions must be addressed via e-mail to tony@dccs.upenn.edu.
RANDALL COUCH is a Technical Writer for DCCS/UMIS Publications.
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