Beame & Whiteside Introduces New Line of BOOT PROMs.

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 1994--Beame & Whiteside Software is introducing a new line of TCP/IP BOOT PROMs at this week's Comdex exhibition in Booth L5022.

BW-BOOTP is compatible with virtually all of the Ethernet and Token-Ring adapters available on the market and provides basic TCP/IP connectivity for secure configuration of diskless workstations and networked PCs.

BW-BOOTP is a Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM) chip that includes its own subset of the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) embedded as firmware. By installing BW-BOOTP on a network adapter, workstations can be configured for network connectivity across the LAN rather than from a local floppy drive or hard disk.

The advantage to network administrators is that it centralizes network administration, allowing managers to create and maintain a single set of configuration parameters at a centrally located server. It also enhances network security.

By initializing access using diskless workstations equipped with BOOT PROMs, end users can't inadvertently introduce computer viruses from disk drives at their workstations or load unauthorized software on the network. They also cannot copy sensitive data or applications off the network.

"Our belief is that diskless workstations will continue to be an important niche in the network market," said Erik Rasmussen, Product Manager for Beame & Whiteside Software. "There will always be network environments that need to protect sensitive data or guard themselves against unauthorized access, and computer viruses continue to proliferate. So we decided to add TCP/IP-capable BOOT PROMs to our product line to support these environments. Installing diskless workstations is still the best way to control network access, minimize data theft, and eliminate unauthorized duplication of copyrighted applications."

BW-BOOTP supports more than 90 percent of network adapters on the market, including NE2000-compatible adapters, NE1000 and NE2000 adapters, 3Com, Intel, Racal Interlan, and others; more than 39 Ethernet adapters have been proven compatible to date. BW-BOOTP will also interoperate with connectivity software from different vendors, including those from FTP, The Wollongong Group, Sun Microsystems, Unixware, and others.

Like all BOOT PROMs, BW-BOOTP initializes network workstations across the network by coordinating the exchange of configuration information. When it is powered up, the network adapter in the diskless workstation sends a request to the boot server using its unique MAC address to identify itself. The server, in turn, verifies the MAC and returns a valid IP address and an operating system boot image to activate the workstation.

BW-BOOTP comes with both a BOOT PROM chip that can be installed in the network adapter, and configuration software that allow the network administrator to create multiple boot images at the server. BPSHELL is a DOS-based application that lets you create, restore, and maintain RAM disk images and BOOTP configuration files and create network passwords.

BPUTIL is a utilities program that lets you view and patch BOOTP information such as network name, network address, serial numbers, and other configuration data. BPMENU lets the user choose a RAM disk image to be downloaded, create a logon screen for the network client, set default configurations, and perform other functions to create the interface. BPROML downloads and executes ROM code from the network server.

BW-BOOTP begins shipping by the first of the year for $79 per workstation, with substantial quantity discounts available.

Beame & Whiteside Software is located at 706 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603-1655; telephone: [phone]; FAX: [phone], or via Internet at [e-mail].

CONTACT: Woolf Media Relations

Tom Woolf, 415/508-1554