North Andover, Massachusetts-based FTP Software Inc has announced PC/TCP OnNet 1.1 for MS-DOS and Windows, its new family of TCP/IP network applications and services. OnNet is a personal computer-to-enterprise Transfer Control Protocol/Internet Protocol product with an architecture based on a 32-bit TCP/IP kernal and Windows Virtual Device Driver technology. By incorporating VxD, the company says, its product overcomes the high MS-DOS memory utilisation found in personal computer TCP/IP architectures based on Terminate and Stay-Resident technology; FTP says OnNet uses less than 3Kbof MS-DOS memory. However, for MS-DOS users, the new architecture also includes a MS-DOS Temporary Storage Register. FTP claims OnNet offers benefits over products based on Windows Dynamic Link Library because it operates at the same level of priority as the operating system, Ring 0, rather than DLL’s Ring 3. Effectively, this means the VxD implementation will have less interrupt latency, resulting in faster performance for network applications and Windows, FTP says, asserting that its product is the only TCP/IP package to offer networking features such as multicast, gateway fallback and router recovery. Other functionality includes a 32-bit VxD Network File System Client and NetBIOS. New 16-bit Windows Sockets-based applications for OnNet include network back-up, FTP client and server, print server, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol client and Telnet. The product also features a serial line Windows Dialler, enabling simplified access to remote networks by automating tasks such as dialing the modem, logging into a network server and establishing connections, says FTP.
Server Package
Enhanced versions of the SLIP and Point-to-Point Protocol communications suite are included. OnNet is also said to be the first Windows TCP/IP software to include the DHCP for client and server installations. FTP will also offer a Server Package to enable users to implement TCP/IP servers on MS-DOS or Windows systems. It includes servers for Network File System, DHCP and TFTP, which are configured, launched and controlled from a Windows-based Server Control application on OnNet. The client version should ship next month. Cost for a single user is $500, but FTP says volume discounts will be offered. The server version will follow in August, but so far no word on cost.