Bull introduces MainWay open network processor; Opens enterprise systems to TCP/IP.BILLERICA, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 25, 1995--In keeping with its June `95 statement of direction on enterprise information processing, Bull today announced its MainWay Open Network Processor, which opens up enterprise production applications to TCP/IP TCP/IP in full Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol Standard Internet communications protocols that allow digital computers to communicate over long distances. networks. The MainWay ONP ONP Open Network Provision(ing) ONP Olympic National Park ONP Old Newspapers (pulp and paper inustry) ONP One Nation Party ONP Operation Na Pali (gaming) ONP One Night Process gives users of open systems access, via TCP/IP, to mission-critical enterprise applications under GCOS (General Comprehensive OS) An operating system from Bull that, originally used in its minis and mainframes, has migrated to its Intel-based servers. GCOS was originally developed by GE in the early 1970s as GECOS (GE Comprehensive OS), then changed to General and MVS (Multiple Virtual Storage) Introduced in 1974, the primary operating system used with IBM mainframes (the others are VM and DOS/VSE). MVS is a batch processing-oriented operating system that manages large amounts of memory and disk space. , and to UNIX servers, without requiring changes to those existing applications. MainWay is Bull's new family of communication systems providing advanced, high-speed LAN/WAN LAN/WAN Local Area Network/Wide Area Network connectivity in multi-vendor environments. The new MainWay ONP provides Bull customers with a cost structure in line with that of the network infrastructure commodity market, as well as the means of moving OSI/DSA and SNA (Systems Network Architecture) IBM's mainframe network standards introduced in 1974. Originally a centralized architecture with a host computer controlling many terminals, enhancements, such as APPN and APPC (LU 6. networks progressively toward TCP/IP. The MainWay ONP can support all three types of data flows. MainWay totally integrates TCP/IP communication protocols, and provides interoperability between machines of different types. TCP/IP is supported by almost all types of network infrastructure equipment. The Open Network Processor extends MainWay's "mainframe disciplines" in critical enterprise communications in the following ways: o Availability: In addition to very high reliability, the ONP takes advantage of the redundant architecture of MainWay. In particular, it can be backed up by a second ONP via automatic switching. o Security: The ONP resides outside the mainframe and protects mission-critical applications from direct TCP/IP access. This protection is reinforced by integrated DSA (1) (Directory Server Agent) An X.500 program that looks up the address of a recipient in a Directory Information Base (DIB), also known as white pages. It accepts requests from the Directory User Agent (DUA) counterpart in the workstation. security mechanisms and "firewalls". o Performance: The ONP supports several thousand simultaneous TCP/IP connections. o Scalability: MainWay configurations support up to four ONPs, thereby satisfying increases in enterprise network load as and when required. o Reduced operational costs: ONP means operation of a single logical network providing access to GCOS, MVS and UNIX UNIX Operating system for digital computers, developed by Ken Thompson of Bell Laboratories in 1969. It was initially designed for a single user (the name was a pun on the earlier operating system Multics). applications. Bull's Integrated System Management provides the ONP with control of a potentially complex environment. A Telnet server software option for the MainWay ONP interfaces Telnet sessions (TCP/IP) with Terminal Manager (DSA), to support TCP/IP information flows for workstations in Telnet VIP and DKU DKU Donkey Kong Universe (game) DKU Drop Kick Ugly client modes. Bull and its partners - Gallagher & Robertson, ICOM ICOM International Council Of Museums ICOM Integrated Communications ICOM Input, Control, Output, & Mechanism ICOM Integrated COMSEC ICOM International Currency Options Master Agreement ICOM Improved Conventional Mine ICOM Interim Communications Operations Method , Integro, Micro-Matic Research, Progisys and SAT - have adapted their Bull-compatible emulators to provide client/server mode interoperability with the ONP. Furthermore, Telnet 3270 (TN3270) protocols enable TCP/IP mode access to IBM MVS and GCOS applications, via the MainWay ONP. The Open Network Processor will be available during 2Q'96. A basic MainWay configuration, including an Open Network Processor, a LAN Extender with four Ethernet ports and two FDDI-SAS ports, and a Service Processor, is priced at $54,026. The licence fee for the optional Telnet server/Terminal Manager software starts at $191. The TCP/IP software on the ONP is included with the basic MainWay WAN network software. -0- UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company Limited. All trademarks, service marks and company names are the property of their respective owners. CONTACT: Bull HN Information Systems Inc. Bruce MacDonald, 508/294-5812 or Duval Public Relations Dave Manley, 617/248-1881 dmanley@duval.com |
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