Industry Standard Software Ltd of Hanley in Stoke-on-Trent has implemented Sun Microsystems’ Network File System on ICL Series 39 mainframes – which are of course widely used for UK local government installations. The move will enable Unix workstations and servers – such as ICL’s own Unix machines including the new DRS 6000 line – to have transparent access to data and files held on the mainframe, which acts as a server. Using PC-NFS, MS-DOS users can also be connected. ICL itself does not provide Network File System for this purpose, but instead suggests its more limited SNA-like IPA 3 protocol. The NFS Server Platform for VME comes in three parts: the mainframe end is leased at UKP3,750 per annum; the gateway protocol converter costs UKP1,500, and at the personal computer end an Ethernet board and (for users without PC/NFS) OSLAN software, for UKP1,245. It is delivered with a configuration and menu-driven administration system. The product is a result of work with Oxfordshire-based Network Designers Ltd.
