CompuServe Messages

Here's some news for those of you who have been searching, as we have, for a complete solution to networking of multiple Amigas. It's here, and it works very well. We have installed a beta version (beta 2) of the ENLAN system by Interworks. You know Interworks through Nick Frabotta, here on CIS. In short, it's fast – extremely so; it allows you to reference any number of volumes, or "rooted directories" on an extremely large number of other AMiga systems, and (if you need it) will also connect you to VAX systems. It's based upon Ethernet, a 10 mbps single inexpensive coaxial cable network. The network drives show up on your WorkBench, with icons and etc. You can export things like your serial device(s) and parallel device(s) and even the printer device. Our laser is now doing multiple duty, it's truly wonderful. You can even use your own preferences to control the remote printer, though it's a little tricky (and I mean only a little). We've experienced ZERO problems with the net; the installation is smooth and easy, though you'll want a reasonably computer-savvy person to choose the machine node names (at least with the current state of the manual). For a network, I'd have to say the installation was trivially easy. You don't need to know any non-native commands like "netcopy" or "netdir"; the AmigaDOS commands just see networked drives as normal devices and volumes. I really don't think it could be done much better; this is the way the Amiga is _supposed_ to be expanded. :^)))) You can have as many servers and as many clients as you like; and clients can be servers as well. :^) Take those IBM servers and set 'em on fire! We're using inexpensive CBM 2065 Ethernet cards; they work out of the box. No jumpers to set, just plug 'em in. If you have questions, I'll try and answer them from a user standpoint. For details, chase Nick Frabotta down. It'll be worth your time. –> We are not associated with Interworks – we're just happy. :^)