[28] in comp.os.os2.announce archive
NEW OS/2 PRODUCT: Micro Tempus' Tempus Connectivity Solutions
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Michael_Evans@bocaraton.ibm.com)
Mon Aug 7 07:27:21 1995
To: os2ann.DISCUSS@bloom-picayune.MIT.EDU
Date: Mon, 7 Aug 1995 07:19:15 GMT
From: Michael_Evans@bocaraton.ibm.com
Reply-To: Michael_Evans@bocaraton.ibm.com
Submitted by: Michael Evans (michael_evans@bocaraton.ibm.com)
Source: Steve Christie, Micro Tempus
Date received: 1995 July 26
Date posted: 1995 August 7
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steve Christie, V.P. Sales and Marketing
voice: 714/365-5625
fax: 714/365-5725
Micro Tempus Offers First True Cross-Platform Connectivity Solution
A Framework for Integrating Distributed, Multi-Vendor Networks
MONTREAL, Quebec, Canada - Micro Tempus Inc. today announced Tempus
Connectivity Solutions (TCS), a distributed architecture platform for
connecting disparate PC local area networks (LANs), mainframes and mini
computers into a unified wide area network (WAN). TCS provides for
file- and resource-sharing between users, as well as high-level data
security.
TCS is a peer-to-peer technology that is based on Advanced
Program-to-Program Communications (APPC) and on Advanced Peer-to-Peer
Networking (APPN). It is designed for medium to large-size corporations
requiring WAN installations due to geographically
dispersed offices, multi-vendor LANs, mainframes and operating environments.
TCS currently supports DOS/Windows, OS/2, NetWare and MVS/VTAM. A future
release will support Windows NT and UNIX.
"Growing companies have discovered that integrating a multi-vendor
collection of LANs, PCs, minis and mainframes can be a complicated task. For
instance, PCs run different operating systems, LANs use different transport
protocols and file systems that are fundamentally
incompatible," said Mario Bonin, director of research and development
for Micro Tempus. "In the past, corporate-wide connectivity often meant
sacrificing hardware and software installations to achieve a
homogenous environment. TCS is a network- and operating system-independent set
of services that fully integrates disparate PCs, LANs and MVS mainframes into
an enterprise-wide. WAN environment. It provides for full access of
centralized and distributed data across a network, in a manner that is easy to
use and transparent to the user."
For the End User: Access to Files, Regardless of Location
TCS's file management capabilities permit transparent access to files from
any workstation in the network, regardless of the platform. With TCS, end
users can access and transfer files on a network-wide basis, without regard to
the files' native environment. A Windows-compliant graphical user interface
(GUI) allows networked users to manage files (i.e., copy, rename and browse
file lists). Users can now drag-and-drop single files or groups of files
between platforms. Files can be accessed from a local hard drive or from a LAN
drive and be transferred anywhere on the network.
Once text files have been dragged-and-dropped to another platform, TCS
converts them into a readable format "on the fly" for example, PC to mainframe
so they can be read by the user. In addition, timed transfers of individual or
grouped files also can be arranged to take place unattended, such as at night
when discount rates apply.
For Network Administrators: Functionality for WAN Administration
For network administrators, TCS provides a full range of features that make
it possible to manage and secure network resources. For instance, network
administrators can manage the network topology and limit access of resources to
specific users and user groups. A future release will restrict file transfers
to file size and specific time slots.
TCS provides centralized or distributed file storage via a hierarchical
PC-style file system for the MVS mainframe. Designed for performance,
capacity, and concurrent access, MDAM (Mainframe Disk Access Method) supports
modern hierarchical file organizations found in Windows and OS/2. UNIX and
Windows NT will be supported in a future release.
TCS enforces its own security controls, in addition to acknowledging
pre-existing PC LAN and mainframe security controls, for a multi-tiered
security approach. Administration managers can assign access privileges to end
users and user groups, and also assign individual user passwords. Network
log-on and resource access security also is enforced.
The TCS platform is customizable to fit the particular needs of companies,
and also can be built upon to develop a range of custom distributed or
client-server solutions. A Software Developer's Kit (SDK) is available to
create custom applications using languages such as Visual Basic and C++. The
SDK consists of four Application Program Interfaces (APIs).
The TCS SDK also comes with a range of ready-to-use sample applications,
including a file back-up utility and a conference call program that allows
multiple users to hold party-line conversations over the TCS network. Source
code for the sample applications are provided in both Visual Basic and C so
they can be used as a basis for building other TCS applications.
System Requirements and Company Information
To be connected to the TCS network, a PC must run the TCS Workstation
program. PCs to be used as TCS workstations must be at least an 80386
processor, Windows 3.1 or higher, OS/2 2.0 or higher. In addition, one PC on
each LAN on the network must be equipped to serve as the TCS Node that
coordinates inter-LAN communication. In addition to the same requirements as
TCS Workstation PCs, the TCS Node must run communications software that
supports APPN such as IBM CM/2 or CM Extended Services, DCA IRMA Workstation
for OS/2 or DCA Select Communication Server. Netware for SAA 2.0 will be
supported in a future release.
TCS uses the LAN transport layer (SPX or Net BIOS) to transfer data
between the TCS Workstations and the TCS Node. Some of the LANs
supported by TCS include Novell NetWare, IBM LAN Server, and Microsoft
LAN Manager. TCS supports the LU 6.2 communication protocol, including
LU 6.2 over SDLC, X.25, Token-Ring, LAN DLC.
The TCS network requires a mainframe to host the TCS Directory, the
object database that contains the network topology information. TCS is
currently compatible with the following mainframe operating systems:
MVS/XA and MVS/ESA.
TCS can access Tempus-Link and Tempus-Share virtual disk applications
developed by Micro Tempus. Tempus-Link provides PC users with access to
mainframe data through virtual disks created on the mainframe. Tempus-Share
allows MIS to implement and manage file server capabilities under VTAM for
standalone and networked PCs.
Micro Tempus Inc. designs and markets software that facilitates
micro-to-mainframe communication and promotes multi-platform interconnectivity.
Founded in 1982, the company has developed a solid client base of large
corporations and Fortune 500 contenders within a broad range of commercial,
industrial, financial and technical applications. The company manages
operations in Canada, the U.S., Germany and France, and sells its products
through a network of qualified distributors throughout North America, South
America and Europe.
For more information on Micro
Tempus or Tempus Connectivity Solutions
(TCS), contact the company at 28202
Cabot Road, Suite 300, Laguna
Niguel, California, USA 92677.
800/583-0803 (phone),
714/365-5625 (phone),
714/365-5725 (fax).
