AT&T Corp will today announce a plan to evolve its Netware Connect Services (CI No 2,887) -into an Intranet Connect Services (ICS) package that supports both NetWare’s IPX, and the Internet’s IP protocols. AT&T denies, however, that it is now downplaying NetWare in the same way as it did with Lotus Notes, over the ill-fated AT&T Network Notes initiative (CI No 2,874) – although it is hard to avoid that conclusion. The new ICS, which will incorporate Internet access, will offer two levels of service: an IP-only version, and a combined IP/IPX service that adds support for native IPX routing; NetWare Directory Services; and enhanced client support. Security will be provided by the Source Address Assurance capabilities of NetWare, which are designed to prevent address spoofing, and as with the NetWare Connect Services, ICS will be run over one of AT&T’s subnetworks that is protected from the outside world by firewalls. AT&T will start taking orders for ICS in August, and plans a controlled introduction from the end of September, with general availability expected around three months after that. Pricing will vary according to usage and the connectivity options available. For the basic IP service, local dial-up access is to be charged at $3.50 an hour (with a $4.50 per hour surcharge for 1-800 access) with a 75c per hour surcharge for dual IP/IPX access. Dedicated access via Frame Relay will cost from $265 to $3,995 per month per permanent virtual circuit, depending on the Committed Information Rate requested. ICS will be offered through AT&T WorldNet.
