[434] in comp.os.os2.announce archive
NEW OS/2 PRODUCT: PC component of Alliance Series for AS/400 and LAN
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Michael_Evans@bocaraton.ibm.com)
Thu Nov 30 23:57:44 1995
To: os2ann.DISCUSS@bloom-picayune.MIT.EDU
Date: Fri, 1 Dec 1995 03:21:10 GMT
From: Michael_Evans@bocaraton.ibm.com
Reply-To: Michael_Evans@bocaraton.ibm.com
Submitted by: Michael Evans (michael_evans@bocaraton.ibm.com)
Source: Patrick Townsend & Associates
Date received: 1995 November 29
Date posted: 1995 November 30
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Press Release For Immediate Release
Summary:
========
Alliance Series For AS/400 and LAN helps IBM AS/400 customers
integrate data with LAN-based applications.
Overview:
=========
August, 1995 - Olympia, Washington. Patrick Townsend & Associates,
Inc. announces the release of Alliance Series For AS/400 and LAN
(Alliance), a data transfer and management application for the IBM
AS/400. Alliance automates the task of transferring files between an
AS/400 and LAN applications. LANs supported include Novell NetWare,
IBM LAN Server, Microsoft NT and LAN Manager, and Banyan Vines.
Alliance will appeal to customers with a need for high reliability file
transfer between the AS/400 and LAN.
Product Description:
====================
Alliance is composed of two modules: An AS/400 application to
perform file transfer and management functions, and a PC application to
perform data transfer functions. Each component uses standard SNA CPI-
C communications to perform the data transfer. Transfers are secure and
efficient and delivery of data is guaranteed by the application. Incomplete
transfers cannot take place with Alliance.
On the AS/400 Alliance sends files to the LAN based on user requests.
User requests can be made in two ways: via menu panels that allow a user
to select a file to be transferred, or via an Application Program Interface
(API) that allows user programs to initiate file transfer requests. Files
are transferred the LAN and converted from EBCDIC to ASCII data in the
process. The file can be placed on any server in the network, or on the
Alliance PCs local hard drive.
A PC running the Alliance software is the connection to the LAN. The PC
runs the OS/2 operating system for full 32-bit multitasking functions, and
Communications Manager/2 for SNA CPI-C communications. The PC
connects to the LAN using the LAN vendors client requester software. For
Novell NetWare LANs, the PC uses the Novell OS/2 Requester client
software. For Microsoft NT or LAN Manager servers, the PC uses the NT
or LAN Manager client software for OS/2. The Alliance PC supports
connections to multiple servers on the LAN and can transfer data to an
from multiple servers. Alliance periodically scans a directory structure on
the server for files to transfer to the AS/400.
In addition to file transfer functions, Alliance keeps a permanent log of
transfer activity on the AS/400 which can be viewed by the user or
operations staff. The log contains information about the transfer request
and the status of the transfer.
Alliance is designed to run with a minimum of user intervention. In the
event of a failure of the connection to the LAN or AS/400, Alliance will
re-establish the connection and continue with transfer activity. In no
event will data be lost due to network or communications failures.
Benefits:
=========
Alliance will assist those AS/400 users who need a reliable means of
exchanging data between the AS/400 and LAN. Alliance requires minimal
user intervention and can recover from common network failures. The PC
component of Alliance is designed to detect when the AS/400 is not
available due to IPL or other conditions, and will re-establish
communications when the system becomes available again. And Alliance
logs all transfer activity to a log file that is available for inquiry at
any time.
Hardware and Software Requirements:
===================================
Alliance runs on any model AS/400 with OS/400 version V2R3 or later.
The PC component of Alliance runs a PC with OS/2 version 2.10 or later
and Communications Manager/2 version 1.1 or later. A LAN (Token Ring
or Ethernet) or SDLC connection between the AS/400 and PC is required.
The PC is connected to the LAN with the vendors client software for
OS/2.
More Information:
=================
For more information and pricing, contact: Patrick Townsend &
Associates, Inc., 7700 Earling Street NE, Olympia, WA 98506. Voice:
(360) 357-8971. FAX: (360) 357-9047. E-Mail: sales @ patinc.usa.com.
Patrick Townsend
7700 Earling Street NE
Olympia, WA 98506
(360) 357-8971 Voice
(360) 357-9047 Fax
