3Com Corp is claiming that enhancements to its 3+Open LAN Manager will allow users of the product to access increased memory and multiple industry-standard network protocols. 3Com says 3+Open the system launched in October 1988 based on Microsoft Corp’s OS/2 LAN Manager – will feature improved architecture to provide MS-DOS workstations additional RAM for memoryintensive database and word processing applicatons. In its attempts to attract users of powerful applications and client-server computing, San Jose, California-based 3Com has introduced Demand Protocol Architecture, DPA, which comprises two services, Resident Protocol Manager and NetBIOS Protocol. The Resident Manager enables users to load and unload multiple protocols to access servers running OS/2, Unix and VMS: users can also access servers without rebooting workstations or using gateways or bridges, and choose a primary, memory-efficient protocol for file, print and communications services with the local network server; the NetBIOS Protocol occupies 20Kb of workstation memory. When access to an application requires a different protocol, the protocol manager loads a secondary protocol from amomg the Xerox Network System, Transmission Control/Internet Protocol or Open Systems Interconnect. NetBIOS Protocol will be distributed to 3+Open LAN Manager customers in May, free of charge; Demand Protocol Architecture, including the Resident Protocol Manager and the NetBIOS Protocol, is to be incorporated into 3Com’s 3+ LAN Manager from this summer.
