Banyan Systems Inc has launched an upgraded release of its network operating system, Vines 4.1, with support for OS/2 and enhanced Windows facilities. Personal computers running under OS/2 as well as MS-DOS machines, are now supported on Vines, enabling OS/2 systems to be used as Vines clients. This provides OS/2 users with the same network services and management offered for MS-DOS. When a client logs into the network, the particular operating system being used is automatically detected and the client is mapped to the nearest server equipped to support its software. Interoperability between MS-DOS and OS/2 environments enables users to view, copy or share information at any time. The previous version of Vines 4.0, also uses Windows but on 4.1 Banyan has introduced Vines optimised Windows driver which it says enables greater network control and support for the Windows desktop. The new version obviates the need to load IBM’s Net-BIOS and, says Banyan, administrative tasks are made easier. As well as enhancing existing Windows features, Vines’ speciality, the StreetTalk Directory service, has been integrated into the new package, with the StreetTalk Directory Assistance being integrated into a Windows browse feature. The feature, says European marketing manager James Ringrose, brings network directory assistance at the press of a key. Vines 4.1 is to start shipping in June at a UK price of UKP6,000.
