a REAL Amiga network!
30 messages in this thread
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. :^)
Sounds great. My question — is there a way to link a PC into the net? I'm
thinking specifically about my house, which has anywhere from 1-3 Amigas
and 2-4 PCs, depending on the time of day, weather, moon phase, and
temperature at the lake.
Loyd
I dunno, but if you ask Nick, you'll get a good straightforward answer.
You're looking for Nick Frabotta.
We don't intend to have any PC's on our net; although someday there may be
some Macs, maybe. If it can work that way, of course.
Ben
Here's Nick's CIS PPN: 73320,3545
Just direct your question to him.
Ben
Loyd,
Your best bet to get the PC's on with your Amiga's would be to buy a single
copy of Novell client software and let one Amiga "gateway" the Novell
server to the rest of your Amiga workgroup. You'll save some money and
have all of the benefits direct, native Amiga to Amiga access!
I must qualify that we haven't actually seen the Novell software nor
actually tried it out, but that would be my best effort at an unbiased
recommendation.
Nick.
Nick,
Hope you don't mind if I jump in. I would like to get some more detailed
info like pricing etc.
Tony
I'm sure someone will pipe up I get too commercial, so…
System requirements:
– A2065 Ethernet card per machine
– AmigaDOS 2.04 (V37) or later
– ~300KB disk space
– 1.5MB RAM; more recommended if a single machine
is serving multiple Amigas.
Exact price is not set yet. It will be < $350 per workgroup, where
workgroup is defined as some modest number of Amigas, probably <= 10.
Includes one set of software and documentation. Additional manuals, if
required, are extra. Aim is begin shipping 2nd half of next month, or
whenever we get the go-ahead from our beta test group.
Nick.
Nick,
No, that wasn't too comercial. You were answering a question from a
member, which is perfectly acceptable.
I just wanted to add something to my previous comments about the way you
did things. I am also impressed by your recognition of the need for a 'site
license'. I very much wish more software vendors would take this into
account.
-larry
Here's something else to be impressed about – ENLAN hasn't given me one
whit of trouble. I've had the system crash (for other reasons) on one
location or another, the usual development "dangerous environment" and the
net can be re-connected to that machine with a complete minimum of hassle.
I've also seen 0 errors in reads or writes over the net, and I have been
using it quite heavily for a number of days now. We've ordered more cards
and the net will become larger shortly, but in it's current configuration,
it seems solid as a rock.
And really – I don't even *know* Nick. :^)
He just tagged me when I was in here whining about the lack of a net that
met our needs, and made me a happy critter.
–Ben
Nick,
Can I get an address to send for more info (or a phone #)?
Keith
Sure, Keith, that _would_ be appropriate:
Interworks
195 East Main Street, Suite 230
Milford, MA 01757
(800) 321-3893
(508) 476-3893
If you have a standard info pack, please fax it (512/447-1144) or mail to
it me: Loyd Blankenship, c/o Steve Jackson Games, PO Box 18957, Austin, TX,
78760. Thanks!
Loyd
Nick, please put me on your client list. We are working on a couple of
network p packages in our store but not with a great deal of success. I am
most interested and would be happy to Beta test if you are still
experimenting. Our Lan is physi physically complete, cards, ram:, 2.0,
etc. but nothing really satisfactory as yet. My name is James Lloyd and my
store is RCC systems, inc. in Madison, WI. USPost 1024 Regent Street,
Madison, WI 53715
James,
Thanks. We're pretty much all set for beta testers at this time. I could
use a couple "brand new" people to do late beta testing of the manual,
installation, etc., before those things are finalized. I don't forsee that
happening for another couple weeks. I'll give you a buzz later today.
We will be having selling a full function dealer demo package at
significant discount. This'll be a one-time deal per store and will allow
dealers to install, use and demo the system. No dealer should be without
one! Watch for formal product announcement and an upcoming issue of Amiga
World's Dealer Report (Outlook) for details.
> 1024 Regent Street What a nice binary address! Did you get that number
on purpose?
Nick.
I see the A2065 requirement as a drawback. It eliminates a compact A500
setup, which stands to gain the most from this type of network. Further, I
personally know of no multiple-Amiga users (including myself) who do not
have an A500 in their scheme. If a small, cost-effective network adaptor
were available for the A500, then something like Enlan could have far
broader appeal.
The lack of an available Ethernet adapter is a drawback for the _A500_, not
a drawback for ENLAN-DFS. I know of many installations who have only A2000
and/or A3000-class machines.
An adapter for the A500 would be nice, though. If enough people asked
hardware manufacturers for an A500 adapter we'd be happy to provide
support. I'd bet someone could bundle an EC030, 8MB Ram and an Ethernet
chip set into a really nice add-on for that machine.
Nick.
One of the biggest problems with A500 adaptors now is that they take up the
side slot. This eliminates having an A500 on the network which already has
a hard disk. IMHO, this is a big barrier to be overcome.
John, you missed my point completely.
I purposely left out "hard drive" when I described the add-on for the A500.
That's the whole idea of having a network file system! Your "hard drive"
can be on another system. ENLAN-DFS will let you boot the network from
floppy and mount a full AmigaDOS system on some host system.
Nick.
I understood that completely, the issue is that there are a number of
people that have a 500 WITH a hard disk or GVP box that want to network it
with another Amiga. We also miss the number of 1000 owners who also want
connectivity. True you can boot off a floppy and then access a network,
there are a number of PC's that operate in that mode and even have Ethernet
cards with boot roms in them.
Nick:
will the ENLAN-DFS support the Anet board that used to be sold by GVP? They
made one specifically for the A500, as well as one for the A2000.
-Mike Schiller
In sunny Fort Lauderdale
Mike,
Right this second, no. But it seems a shame to me not to support those
orphaned products.
Nick.
Nick,
Of course, the 500 ArcNet board and SANA-II would also solve the
'problem'.
Chris,
You do now (know a multi-Amiga user with NOT 500s). We DO have 4 1000s
we'd like to hook up tho <grin>
Thanks for the info. maybe you could send me more as it becomes available.
My address is:
Tony Pitman
15248 N. 35th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85032
(602) 991-7272
thanks,
Tony
Tony,
I'd be glad to send more info. Things start coming back from the printer's
tomorrow so keep an eye out!
Nick.
I will,
Tony
We'll be putting in a Novell net at work (15 nodes), and I should have at
least 2 Amigas installed there by then. It should be interesting to see how
everything works together!
Loyd
Here is a question Ben,
What is the price per node software/hardware ?
Russ
– via Whap!
The price has been set at $349 for a five node license. The price per node
could be less than $70 + the price of an A2065 Ethernet card.
That's still subject to change before we begin taking orders but it's not
too likely.
Nick Frabotta
Interworks
Aha… that's one for Nick – he's here, ask him. As a beta tester, I
wouldn't presume on whatever costs were involved for us.
–Ben