To each vendor, its own server strategy. (IBM, DEC, HP offer connectivity options)

IBM, DEC and HP, the three largest minicomputer vendors, all offer connectivity options designed to allow their midrange systems to be used as file servers for microcomputer local area networks. Each vendor has its own file-server strategy. IBM announced server software for its AS/400 minicomputer i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Computerworld 1991-06, Vol.25 (23), p.65
Main Author: Hammons, Jim
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:English
Subjects:
Connectivity
Design and construction
File Server
File servers
Local area networks
Minicomputer
Minicomputers
System Design
Systems analysis
Telecommunications systems
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Summary:IBM, DEC and HP, the three largest minicomputer vendors, all offer connectivity options designed to allow their midrange systems to be used as file servers for microcomputer local area networks. Each vendor has its own file-server strategy. IBM announced server software for its AS/400 minicomputer in Apr 1991. The new PC Support for the AS/400 product implements IBM's Advanced Program to Program Communications (APPC) protocol but does not support the NetWare or LAN Manager network operating systems. Analysts say that the AS/400's ability to interface with other servers is limited. DEC is making aggressive efforts to integrate microcomputers into its strategy and supports LAN Manager but remains committed to its own Decnet protocols. It continues to promote its own RDB database product heavily. HP supports both NetWare and LAN Manager on the HP 3000 and HP 9000 systems and provides connectivity to IBM hosts. It leads the industry in providing client/server capabilities and integration for multiple servers. The server strategies of Data General, Wang Laboratories Inc, Stratus Computer Inc, Unisys Corp and Prime Computer Inc are also briefly discussed.
ISSN:0010-4841