Stratus Computer Inc, Marlboro, Massachusetts, which early on did a full implementation of Systems Network Architecture to enable its machines to co-exist with IBM hosts, has now added an implementation of the DECnet communications software that will enable its XA2000 fault-tolerant supermicros to communicate with DEC VAX hosts. It particularly looks for a growth in business as a result from the manufacturing sector because of the growing demand there for fault-tolerant plant control systems and the widespread presence of DECnet local area networks in factories. Rather than reinvent the wheel, Stratus has gone to Technology Concepts Inc for the new DNS/2000 software, which is a version of the Sudbury, Massachusetts Bell Atlantic Corp subsidiary’s existing DECnet-compatible CommUnity networking product, the Stratus implementation being done by New York-based system software developer Incotel Inc. Incotel rather than Stratus is to distribute the software, which will be available in September at prices ranging from $17,500 on Stratus’ XA2000 Models 50 and 70 to $45,000 on the Models 150 and 160. Stratus will handle marketing jointly with Incotel, and the software will be supported via Stratus’ Customer Assistance Centres and Remote Service Network. Running under Stratus’ VOS operating system, DNS/2000 will need the XA2000 systems to be attached to the local area network cable, which requires a Stratus Programmable Ethernet Adaptor, which is $4,000.