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SOFTWARE-ONLY PRODUCTS

Remote Control Access Products

There are several popular software-only applications that provide single-user remote control solutions. These software packages offer varying degrees of control, security, and flexibility. The most widely used are Symantec Corp.'s PC Anywhere, Microcom's Carbon Copy, and Triton Technology Inc.'s Co-Session.

Single-User Products

Each product has a program that runs on the remote system and a program that runs on a host or LAN-based workstation. Although there are DOS-based and Windows-based versions of each package, both the remote system and the LAN-based workstation must have Windows to use the Windows package. The popular LapLink program from Traveling Software, Inc. has a new version with remote control. These software-only packages have different hardware requirements and can provide only one remote session at a time.

Multiuse Packages

Novell, Inc. and Quarterdeck Office Systems, Inc. developed the first multiuser remote control package in 1988 called NetWare Access Services, or NAS. This package allows up to 32 users to access a LAN using remote control software simultaneously through one server. The server requires at least one megabyte of memory for each user and one Wide-area Network Interface Module (WNIM) for every four dial-in users. This product is now integrated with modems and sold as the NetWare Access Server by Microdyne Corp.

Another multiuser remote control package called Win View has been developed by Citrix Systems, Inc. for IBM's OS/2 operating system. This software requires eight megabytes to start, plus four megabytes per user and one of several multiport asynchronous adapters for every four or eight remote users.

Remote Node Solutions

One of the first and most popular remote node software packages is Novell's NetWare Connect. This software package is sold in versions for 2, 8, and 32 users. This software not only allows remote node dial-in, but also acts as a modem pool for dial-out capabilities. NetWare Connect is actually a derivative of Novell's NetWare Asynchronous Control Services, or NACS. NetWare Connect is sold in several integrated server systems, including J&L's Chatterbox derivative named ChatConnect, Cubix's CubixConnect, and Microdyne's ACS 4400 and ACS 4800 servers.

Additional remote node multiuser software-only packages have been developed by IBM and DCA Inc. RLN from DCA allows various types of workstations to access various network operating systems. RLN's supported workstation operating systems include DOS, OS/2, UNIX, and Macintosh. IBM's LAN Distance software supports LAN-to-LAN and PC-to-LAN connections.

DIAL-IN TRANSPORTATION

There are several popular methods of accessing LANs remotely. The most common is over standard telephone lines. Another is through digital telephone lines, or integrated services digital network (ISDN). A third is using wireless technology.

Standard Telephone Line Access

Because most telephone lines are analog, the largest number of remote access users need modems to translate their digital computer signals. Modem technology has advanced rapidly over the past several years.

The most popular modems sold today are V.34, which runs at 33.6K bps. With 4:1 compression, V.34 can theoretically operate at 115K bps. V.34 model manufacturers are too numerous to list.

In a poll of 51 large corporations regarding their current remote access systems, Forrester Research Inc. found that the users complained of slow data response times and troublesome modems. These problems are now being solved by these newer modem technologies.

ISDN

Suppliers of integrated services digital network equipment are becoming almost as numerous as modem suppliers. Although a single ISDN channel has a speed of 64K bps, some products provide two channels for one connection at 128K bps, and with 4:1 compression, can theoretically obtain 512K bps. The biggest problem with ISDN is that it is not available everywhere.

Wireless Technology

Two types of remote wireless connections are available today, and a third is right around the corner. The two current services include Ardis, a joint venture of IBM and Motorola, and RAM Mobile Data network, backed by Bell South.

RAM Mobile provides a wireless service across the US in about 7,000 metropolitan areas. Ardis has a broader coverage of more than 10,700 towns and cities. Ardis currently offers speeds of 4.8K bps and RAM operates at 8K bps.

Generally, most of the LAN-based remote access servers will be connected through standard dial-in telephone lines for now. However, some larger users have optional ISDN connections installed in some areas of the country.

DIAL-OUT CONNECTIONS

The much-discussed information superhighway will require many on and off ramps for everyone to share in this resource. Through dial-out remote access products and common protocols, every workstation can have access to the highway.

Various applications can be accessed by workstations, including large commercial online services such as CompuServe, America Online, and Prodigy. These services provide access to news, financial data, weather information, and special interest forums. Still others access national E-mail applications such as MCI Mail, AT&T Mail, and the Internet.

The most popular access methods to the Internet is PPP (point-to-point protocol). This protocol offers Internet access through use of an Internet Service Provider (ISP).


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