ftp.cdrom.com/pub/cdrom//cdrom.tar/cdrom/faq/cdromlan.faq

Text File | 1995-01-27 | 72KB | 1,694 lines

Subject:  CDROMLAN FAQ for January/Februray 1995
Archive-name: cdromlan-faq
Posting-Frequency: monthly (I'm trying!)
Last-modified: 1995/01/25


        Frequently Asked Questions List for [e-mail]

 The FAQ is maintained by Greg Gibbs at the University of Alaska Anchorage.
             This FAQ was originally compiled and maintained by
                 Steven Kirby of the University of Georgia.

        I appreciate any and all suggestions for improving this FAQ.
      Please email suggestions, additions, comments, corrections, etc.
          (and include CDROMLAN-FAQ TIPS in the subject line) to:

                            [e-mail]


Any changes from the previous edition will have an
asterisk immediately preceding the question number.

 :Q00 What questions are included in this month's FAQ?
      [NOTE: Q00-Q03 are in part one, Q04-Q08 are in part two
      Q09-Q13 are in part three, and Q14-Q25 are in part four]

*Q01  Where can I get a copy of this FAQ?
 Q02  How can I access the CDROMLAN archives?
*Q03  What solutions are available that allow me to network CD-ROM databases?
 Q04  How can I contact someone who uses a particular CD networking solution?
*Q05  Where can I find reviews of CD networking solutions?
*Q06  Can you recommend a good CD-ROM drive?
 Q07  What are some good publications about networks, computing, and CD-ROM?
 Q08  What other newsgroups and discussion lists deal with networking/CD-ROMs?
*Q09  How can I connect Macintoshes to my CD-ROM LAN?
 Q10  Can I provide remote access to my CD network via a modem and/or TCP/IP?
 Q11  How can I connect my CD network to an IBM mainframe?
 Q12  What do I need to set up a small (2-8 user), low cost CD network?
*Q13  What menu and usage tracking programs are available for my network?
 Q14  What timeout programs are available for my network?
 Q15  Who are some CD-ROM database producers and how can I contact them?
 Q16  Are there any FTP sites that contain materials related to networking?
 Q17  Do I have to run the Microsoft Extensions in order to network my CDs?
 Q18  Where can I get a copy of the latest version of the MS Extensions?
 Q19  Are there advantages to using Ethernet over Token Ring, or vice versa?
 Q20  Can I connect a multidisc changer (like the Pioneer DRM-600) to my LAN?
 Q21  How can I improve the performance of my CD network?
 Q22  Do I need anti-virus software on my CD network?
 Q23  What solutions are available to provide network printer support?
 Q24  Where can I get training in network management techniques?
 Q25  Is this the end of the FAQ?


*:Q01  Where can I get a copy of this FAQ?

     A complete version of the FAQ for [e-mail]
     will be distributed the fifth working day of each month.
     If you subscribe to the list, you will receive the update
     as part of your regular list traffic.


*    The FAQ is also available via mail-server, compliments of
     Gess Shankar ([e-mail]).  To order it from the
     mail-server, send the following command to:
     [e-mail], leaving the subject blank.

         SEND CDPUB/FAQ/CDROMLAN.FAQ


     The FAQ is available via anonymous ftp at ftp.cdrom.com
     in /pub/cdrom as cdromlan.faq.  Thanks to Walnut Creek CDROM
     and Bob Bruce ([e-mail]) for this avenue of access
     (sorry Bob, but I _had_ to put you in here so I couldn't
     forget where to find you :-).  Small plug:
                Walnut Creek CDROM
                1547 Palos Verdes, Suite 260
                Walnut Creek, CA 94596
                800-786-9907, 510-674-0783, 510-674-0821 fax
                [e-mail]


     Dan Lester, our favorite cyclopean listowner, has made the
     FAQ accessible via WWW at http://cyclops.idbsu.edu and is
     fairly easy to find once you get there.


     Other avenues of access are always in the works.  If you
     have suggestions on where or how to make it available,
     please let me know.  I'm _still_ working on providing the
     FAQ via Usenet.  When I've got the system down, access
     details for the Usenet archives will be provided.


     A mini-FAQ is mailed to the list in the middle of each
     month which contains all of the above information up to
     and including this statement.  (I promise I'll get better
     organized on this part - g^2)



 :Q02 How can I access the CDROMLAN archives?

     I still have not had the chance to really play with this,
     but the CDROMLAN listserv is indexed as a WAIS database.
     This makes for convenient retrospective research on topics/
     discussions touched on in our daily rantings in CDROMLANd.
     The Amazing Steve Kirby sez that you can easily do this by
     pointing your gopher client at munin.ub2.lu.se and making
     the following selections:
          "WAIS databases published at UB2"
           "Library automation..."
            "Archive of an e-conference about CD-ROM networking"

     Technical info is as follows:
        Headline: bit.listserv.cdromlan.src S:1000, L:22
        (:source
           :version  3
           :ip-address "130.235.162.11"
           :ip-name "munin.ub2.lu.se"
           :tcp-port 210
           :database-name "bit.listserv.cdromlan"
           :cost 0.00
           :cost-unit :free
           :maintainer "[e-mail]"
           :description "Server created with WAIS release 8 b5
            on Aug 28 17:47:42 1992 by [e-mail]
     [Thanks to Rob Joachim ([e-mail]) and Steve Kirby
     ([e-mail]) for lots of help with this one.
     And a special thank you to Anders Ohlsson for maintaining
     the WAIS index for the benefit of us all.]



*:Q03  What solutions are available that allow me to network CD-ROM databases?

     CBIS CD Connection & CD Server

        CBIS Inc.
        5875 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Building 100, #170
        Norcross, GA 30092
        404/446-1332

        CBIS sells both a hardware/software solution, as well as a
        software only solution.  The software is CBIS' CD Connection
        program, which acts as a CD-ROM redirector.  Once rated as one
        the better CD networking solutions, CBIS has not fared quite
        so well in recent benchmark tests.


     CDDIRECT

        LanShark!
        6502 E. Main St.
        Reynoldsburgh, OH 43068
        614/866-5553

        CDDIRECT is a solution for Banyan Vines networks.  It allows
        you to map CDROM drives like a network hard drive. There is
        no memory overhead on the end user's station, since CDDIRECT
        communicates in Vines native protocol VINES/IP.  It does not
        run on NETBIOS, which certainly ought to improve performance.


*    CD Net

        Meridian Data, Inc.
        5615 Scotts Valley Dr.
        Scotts Valley, CA 95066
        408/438-3100; 800/767-2537 sales;
        800/755-8324 support; 408/438-6816 fax
        [e-mail]; [e-mail]

        Meridian sells both a hardware/software solution, as well as a
        software only solution.  Meridian now offers a Netware Loadable
        Module (NLM) version of its CD Net software.  I haven't seen
        any reports on its performance, but the previous version was
        a very solid performer.


     CD Share

        Enterprise Software
        225 Winter St, P.O. Box 163
        Hopkinton, MA 01748-0163
        508/435-4207, 508/435-6957 fax

        CD Share is a software solution for providing access to CDROMs
        on Banyan VINES networks.  Every CD ROM volume is seen as a VINES
        file volume, so they can be referenced by any VINES user.
        Multiple CD Share servers are possible, and up to 24 titles on-line
        can be kept at each server.  License metering with a timeout option
        is included.  Automatic memory caching enhances performance.
        Access to CD's is set up and controlled with normal VINES commands.
        Network access requires no special setup on any user workstation,
        no device drivers, no TSRs, no special utilities.
        [Thanks to John K Metzger ([e-mail])]


     CD-View

        Ornetix
        1249 Innsbruck Drive
        Sunnyvale, CA 94089
        800/965-6650; 408/744-9095

        This is touted by one user as an excellent solution for small
        sites with even smaller budgets.  It is described as easy to
        to install and has the advantage to acting like a Novell Server
        (in a limited capacity, I would assume), but at a reduces cost.
        Thanks to David Jost ([e-mail]) for this information.


     CDworks

        Virtual Microsystems
        1825 South Grant Street, Ste. 700
        San Mateo, CA 94402
        Internet: [e-mail]
        800/722-8299

        CDworks systems are configured according to the site requirements
        of the customer and may use the DEC InfoServer 1000 or a
        PC-based CD-ROM server.  PC-based solutions provide networked PC
        users with access to CD-ROMs; Mac's may be included if Netware/Mac
        is being used.  InfoServer-based systems provide DOS users with
        ethernet access to DOS ISO-9660 or High Sierra CDs, Macintosh users
        with access to their respective native CD's.  Hybrid systems can be
        configured consisting of CD-ROM and hard disc.  Each hard disc can
        hold the contents of at least 2 CD's.

        CDworks systems are available turnkey, including installation of
        hardware, software and the user's applications; a remote diagnostics
        station; menuing, metering and statistical software; and one year of
        toll-free support, software updates, and overnight hardware
        replacement warranty.  DEC on-site field service is available as an
        option.

        SLS (Information Systems) Ltd.
        3/4 York Court
        Upper York Street
        Bristol BS2 8QF
        UK
        [phone]
        Internet: [e-mail]

        SLS offers a full range of CDworks solutions as the European VAR
        of Virtual Microsystems, including supply of CDworks and CDaccess
        components and the full range of Virtual installation and support
        facilities from their offices in Bristol, Stockholm and Madrid.

        Some unique features of CDworks include upgrading InfoServers to
        double their memory and cabinets with sled-mounded components
        which can contain either CDs or hard disks.  Also, the Virtual
        solution can support simultaneous access across all network
        protocols that it supports (Netware, LAN Manager, Pathworks, TCP/IP).

        The CDaccess product allows users of dumb terminals, Macintoshs,
        X-terminals and UNIX workstations to access DOS CDs via a dedicated
        386 or 486 PC.  They also provide a TELNET Gateway which offers
        the services of a CDaccess gateway system to Internet users.
        SLS information provided by Barney Haye ([e-mail])


     CorelSCSI

        Corel Systems Corp.
        1600 Carling Ave.
        Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1Z 8R7
        613/728-8200
        (No email address that I know of, but they do maintain a Corel
        forum on CompuServ that you can get to by typing GO COREL.)

        Something of a hybrid between a Netware Loadable Module and a
        CD-ROM redirector.  Unlike SCSI Express, CorelSCSI still
        requires the Microsoft Extensions.  A reasonably priced,
        mid-range performer.


     Discport

        Microtest, Inc.
        4747 North 22nd St.
        Phoneix, AZ 85016
        800/526-9675; 602/952-6400; 602/952-6401 fax

        I don't have a lot of information on this product, but I gather from
        comments made on the list that it is similar in function to the
        Digital Infoserver.  There is at least one major, published
        description of the Discport.  Interested parties are referred to
        Steve Bosak's article "The Netware CD-ROM Solution", 18 Byte 151
        (December 1, 1993) for more information.


     EZ-NET

        FlexSys Corporation
        24 Graf Road
        Newburyport, MA 01950-
        800/533-7756, 508/465-6060, 508/465-6633 fax

        No scoop yet :-(


     InfoServer

        Digital Equipment Corporation
        800/344-4825 = 800/DIGITAL
        Internet: [e-mail]

        According to the October 1993 Digital "Systems and Options
        Catalog", Infoserver systems are network resources designed to
        work in conjunction with SCSI storage devices in order to provide
        information to LAN users.  The InfoServer supports a variety of
        SCSI devices, including CD-ROM drives, tape drives, and magnetic
        discs.  InfoServer systems serve information from devices to
        different client platforms in the native file format of that
        particular client.  The latest version of the InfoServer--the
        InfoServer 1000--is a 5.25 inch, half-height box which enables it
        to reside with storage devices.


     LANtastic

        Artisoft
        691 East River Road
        Tuscon, AZ 85704
        602/293-4000

        One of the better MS-DOS based LAN packages.  Includes built-
        in CD-ROM support.  As recently as 1990, PC Magazine rated
        LANtastic to be one of the top CD networking solutions.  It
        probably would not be rated that highly today, but it still
        has some potential use for smaller installations.


     Logicraft

        Logicraft
        22 Cotton Road
        Nashua, NH 03063
        603/880-0300, 603/880-7229 fax
        [e-mail]; [e-mail]

        LanCD is a software product that provides the capability to
        network CD-ROMs in a PC LAN environment. It is a redirector
        solution that provides the following features and benefits:

        a. Concurrent multi-protocol and multi-lan support. In short,
           users from a Novell LAN utilizing IPX/SPX and users from
           three other NetBIOS LANs can access a LanCD CD-SERVER
           simultaneously.

        b. FastCD -- A SCSI hard disk CACHE for CD's.

        c. License metering -- LanCD provides local license metering
           that can be configured by CD drive, by application, or by
           physical location.


        LS4300/4500/CD4000 --- The LS4300 and LS4500 are turnkey CD
        server systems. Each system is configurable and can support
        from 1 to 255 SCSI devices.  The CD4000 is an expansion box
        for additional drives and can be used with all of Logicraft's
        servers and as expansion for other non-Logicraft products.

        486Ware/OmniWare -- These products are Logicraft's line of
        MS-DOS servers. By using these products any non-DOS desktop can
        gain access to the world of CD-ROM's.
        [Thanks to Chris Caggiula ([e-mail]) for the
         information on Logicraft products.]


*    Windows NT

        Microsoft

        A number of folks have mentioned using Windows NT as a cdrom
        server with good results.  To quote a listmember:  NT offers
        graphical management resources, including management
        from Windows, Windows for Workgroups, or Windows NT
        stations.  Any of these can manage server resources via
        several network protocols (tcp/ip, ipx, netbeui) or over a modem.
        Can have up to approx 21 cdrom drives connected to each server.
        It's easy to set up and use, and has complete security mgmt.
        Clients can run Windows for Workgroups and have simultaneous
        access to Netware network and Microsoft network.

        Downside?  Requires lots of memory -- at least 20Mb per server.
        Best if you have at least 486/33 to run server.
        [Thanks to Michael Reynolds ([e-mail])
         whose message I mercilessly cribbed w/out permission 12/94]


     Opti-Net

        Online Computer Systems Inc.
        20251 Century Blvd.
        Germantown, MD 20874
        800/922-9204; 301/428-3700

        Another redirector solution.  Opti-Net was one of the earliest
        CD-ROM networking solutions.  Recent versions should provide
        acceptable performance, though it did not fare particularly
        well in PC Magazine's 1991 benchmark tests.  Available for
        NetWare 3.11, as well as NetWare 2.X.


     SCSI Express

        Micro Design International
        6985 University Blvd.
        Winter Park, FL 32792
        800/228-0891; 407/677-8333
        [e-mail]; [e-mail]
        [e-mail] (suggestion box)

        SCSI Express is available for a number of multi-user operating
        systems (including Novell NetWare 3.11, and Microsoft LAN
        Manager).  SCSI Express for NetWare 3.11 is a Netware Loadable
        Module (NLM), which means that it functions as an extension to
        the NetWare operating system.  Performance has generally been
        rated as excellent.


     Ultra*Net

        R+R Messetechnik
        Sandgasse 41
        A-8010 Graz
        Austria
        [phone]; [phone] fax

        Ultra*Net provides network access to CDs using NetBIOS for
        client/server communications so it is compatible with any
        NOS offering a NetBIOS interface (Novell, TCP/IP, Pathworks,
        PC/NFS, Lan Manager and more).  Ultra*Net features: centralized
        management of the CD library and client menuing system;
        title and user statistics available either online or as
        printed charts; pre-caching of CD-ROMs to hard disk.

        An NT version of the Ultra*Net server offering 100%
        Internet compatibility (making the CDs available for
        searching across the 'Net - licenses permitting!) should
        be shipping quite soon.
          [Thanks to Geoff Baldwin ([e-mail])
           of Fenwood Systems Ltd. - UK agents for Ultra*Net]

*    Unix solution (generic)

        Also coming to the fore in providing access to CDs in the
        network environment is the use of your favorite flavor of the
        Unix OS on a beefy machine.  On the PC-client side, PC-NFS
        is used to remotely mount the cd-roms on the server.  The
        retrieval software is also accessed via NFS-mounts.  One site
        has built their own menuing software, but there's got to be some
        commercially available front-ends as well.  I know next to nothing
        (okay, really nothing, since I'm summarizing and parroting this info),
        so if anyone cares to re-write this I'm sure we'd all appreciate it.
        [Thank you John Stroet ([e-mail]) for brief insights
         into this particular solution. 12/94]



:Q04  How can I contact someone who uses a particular CD networking solution?

        For questions about CBIS' CD Connection, contact:
          Arne Almquist, University of North Texas ([e-mail])
          Dave Bloomberg, Florida Atlantic University ([e-mail])
            NOTE:  Dave is out of action at this point in time :-(
            Hopefully he'll come back to CDROMLANd soon.

        For questions about Meridian's CD Net solution, contact:
          Jim Morgan, Indiana University Medical Center
            ([e-mail])
          Jennifer Walz, King's College Library ([e-mail])

        For questions about Ornetix's CD-View, contact:
          David Jost, Dallas Baptist University ([e-mail])

        For questions about Digital's InfoServer, contact:
          Margaret Sylvia, St. Mary's University ([e-mail])
          Tim Kambitsch, Butler University ([e-mail])

        For questions about networking CDs with Microsoft LAN Manager,
        contact:
          Nick Carter, Batelle Memorial Institute Pacific Northwest Labs
            ([e-mail])

        For questions about Micro Design International's SCSI Express,
        contact:
          Steven Kirby, University of Georgia ([e-mail])
          Bill Kuntz, University of Florida ([e-mail])
          Kerry Sanders, Iowa State University (lb$ksd.isumvs.iastate.edu)
          Gerald Smith, Gunter AFB ([e-mail])



*:Q05  Where can I find reviews of CD networking solutions?

*       CD-ROM Professional, May/Jun 1994, Vol 7 No 3 pp 154-155.
        Review of the book "CD-ROM Networking in Practice" ed. by
        Caroline Moore and Nicky Whitsed, Marshall Breeding reviewer.

*       Library Software Review, Spring 1994, Vol 13 No 1 pp 39-43.
        "Installing a CD-ROM LAN using Novell NetWare and SCSI Express"
        by Ting Zheng

*       Infoworld, 1994 Feb 14, Vol 16 No 7 pp 5.  "Fix on the way
        for NetWare CD-ROM bug" by Shawn Willett

*       InfoWorld, 1994 Feb 7, Vol 16 No 6 pp 101.  "Opti-Net simplifies
        access to network CD-ROMs" by Tom Marshall

*       CD-ROM Professional, 1994 Jan, Vol 7 No 1 pp 55-57.
        "Special considerations for networking multimedia CD-ROM titles"
        by Janet L. Wolfe

*       CD-ROM Professional, 1994 Jan, Vol 7 No 1 pp 46-54.
        "Choosing a networking softwware product"  by Janet L. Wolfe

*       CD-ROM Professional, 1993 Sep, Vol 6 No 5 pp 170-173.
        "Frequently asked questions list (FAQ) for
        [e-mail] Version 1.11" by Steven Kirby.
        [This doesn't really answer the question and is now quite
         out of date, but I couldn't resist including it :-)  ]

*       Computer Technology Review, 1993 Aug, Vol 13 No 9 pp 34-35.
        "CD-ROMs board and storm the LAN" by Mark Ferelli

*       InfoWorld,  1993 June 14, Vol 15 No 24 pp49.
        "CD-ROMs and networks: Welcome to the software frontier"
        by Paul Merenbloom

*       Information Today, 1993 June, Vol 10 No 6 pp 25, 28.
        "Virtual Microsystems unveils family of high performance
        multi-processor CD-ROM servers" by Anonymous

        Infoworld, 1993 June 7, Vol 15 No 23 pp 47.  LAN Talk
        by Paul Merenbloom ([e-mail])
        "Which networked CD-ROM drive approach is right for you?",

*       InfoWorld, 1993 May 24, Vol 15 No 21 pp 59.
        "NetWare 4.0 adds its own momentum to the CD revolution"
        by Paul Merenbloom

*       InfoWorld, 1993 Mar 15, Vol 15 No 11 pp 69.
        "Network CD Roms still need some tweaking to be useful"
        by David Strom

        LAN Times, 11 January 1993.  "Prepare for the CD-ROM invasion :
        volumes of new and existing information can be made easily
        available by network users", pp. 89-91.

        LAN Times, 11 January 1993.  "Testing CD-ROM solutions for 'real
        world' performance", pp. 91-101.

        CD-ROM Professional, 1992 September, Vol 5 No 5 pp 83-94.
        "Providing Access to CD-ROM Databases In A Campus Setting
        Part II:  Networking CD-ROMs Via A LAN," by Judy Koren
        ([e-mail] or [e-mail])

        PC Magazine, 31 December 1991.  "Networking CD-ROMs : the
        power of shared access", pp. 333-363.



 :Q06  Can you recommend a good CD-ROM drive?

        You might want to have a look at the following articles:
        (Hey, I work in a library - you'd think I'd get around
        to filling in the blanks :-(  I will by next issue!)

*               InfoWorld, 1994 Jul 25, Vol 16 No 30 pp 116.
                "4Plex shrinks size of quad CD-ROM drive"
                by Ean Houts

*               CD-ROM Professional, 1994 Jul/Aug, Vol 7 No 4 pp 47-49
                "The new Hitachi double speed CD-ROM drives"
                by Becky Lockwood Grossman

*               InfoWorld, 1994 Jun 6, Vol 16 No 23 pp 117.
                "Chinon tweaks double-speed CD-ROMs for top performance"
                by Jeff Angus

                Windows Magazine, 1994 July Vol and No unknown
                title unknown, page unknown
!!! I could use help on this one as we don't subscribe and Windows Mag
    is not in any of the periodical databases we carry.  TIA  -  g^2

*               Computing Canada, 1994 May 11, Vol 20 No 10 pp 42.
                "Quad-speed drive are quick - Very quick"
                by Gerry Blackwell

*               CD-ROM Professional, 1994 May/Jun, Vol 7 No pp 118-123.
                "NEC's MultiSpin 3Xe CD-ROM drive reviewed -
                A sterling performer for all seasons" by Tom Benford

*               InfoWorld, 1994 Mar 7, Vol 16 No 10 pp 109.
                "NEC, Kinesoft point to the future of CD-ROM"
                by Patrick Marshall

*               CD-ROM Professional, 1994 Mar, Vol 7 No 2 pp 124-126.
                "Pioneer DRM-604X: A six-disc minichanger CD-ROM drive -
                When is it the best solution?"  by Becky Lockwood Grossman

*               PC Computing, Mar 1994 Vol 7 No 3 pp 148
                "The new spin on CD-ROM" by Ron White

                PC Magazine, Feb 22, 1994 (vol.13, no.4)
                "CD-ROM drives:  Going mainstream" pp. 110-?

*               Journal of Services Marketing, 1994, Vol 8 No 1 pp 70-72.
                "Backpack CD-ROM drive" by Dennis Pitta

                PC World, May 1993.  "CD-ROM Drives, The Time is Right",
                pages 215-221.

                PC Magazine, 22 December 1992.  "CD-ROM drives : mass
                appeal".  Article begins on page 293

        A good review of (Macintosh) CD-ROM drives is the following
        article:

                Rizzo, John "Passport to the Future": CD-ROM Drives".
                MacUser 9, No.3 (March 1993), pp. 124-144.

        You may also find it advantageous to contact one or more of the
        following CD drive vendors for information before you make your
        purchase:

                CD Technology
                766 San Aleso Ave.
                Sunnyvale, CA 94086
                408/752-8500, 408/752-8501 (fax)

                Corel Systems
                The Corel Bldg.
                1600 Carling Ave.
                Ottawa, Ontario K1Z 8R7 Canada
                613/728-8200, 613/761-9219 (fax)

                Hitachi Home Electronics America
                Multimedia Systems Div.
                401 W. Artesia Blvd.
                Compton, CA 90220
                800/369-0422, 310/515-6223 (fax)

                Liberty Systems
                160 Saratoga Ave. #38
                Santa Clara, CA 95051
                408/983-1127, 408/243-2885 (fax)

                Micro Design International
                6985 University Blvd.
                Winter Park, FL 32792
                [phone]; [phone]

                NEC Technologies
                1255 Michael Dr.
                Wood Dale, IL 60191-1094
                800/632-4636, 708/860-9500

                Panasonic Communications and Systems Co.
                CD-ROM Sales
                Two Panasonic Way
                Secaucus, NJ 07094
                800/742-8086, 201/348-7000

                Pinnacle Micro
                19 Technology
                Irvine, CA 92718
                800/553-7070, 714/727-3300

                Pioneer Communications of America
                600 E. Crescent Ave.
                Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
                800/527-3766, 310/952-2111.

                PLI
                47421 Bayside Pkwy.
                Fremont, CA 94538
                800/288-8754, 510/657-2211

                Procom Technology
                200 McCormick
                Costa Mesa, CA 92626

                Sony Corp. of America
                Computer Peripherals Products Co.
                655 River Oaks Pkwy.
                San Jose, CA 95134
                800/352-7669, 408/432-0190

                Texel America
                1080C E. Duane Ave.
                Sunnyvale, CA 94086
                800/886-3935, 408/736-1378 (fax)

                Todd Enterprises
                224-49 67th Ave.
                Bayside, NY 11364
                800/445-8633, 718/343-9180 (fax)

                Toshiba America Information Systems
                Disk Products Division
                9740 Irvine Blvd.
                Irvine, CA 92718
                714/583-3000


        The following European vendors' addresses are from the TFPL
        CD-ROM Directory database, which I am told is a good
        information source of CD hardware, software, companies and
        literature.

                Hitachi Sales Europa GmbH
                Rungedamm 2
                2050 Hamburg 80
                Germany
                [phone], [phone] / [phone] (fax)

                NEC (UK) Ltd
                Computer Peripherals Dept
                NEC House, 1 Victoria Road
                London W3 6UL
                United Kingdom
                [phone], [phone] (fax)

                NEC Deutschland Gmb
                Klausenburger Strasse 4
                8000 Munich 80
                Germany
                [phone], [phone] (fax)

                Panasonic Industrial UK
                Panasonic House
                Willoughby Road, Bracknell
                Berkshire RG12 8FP
                United Kingdom
                [phone], [phone] (fax)

                Pioneer Electronic (Europe) N.V.
                Headquarters Office
                Keetberglaan 1
                1087 Haven, 9120 Melsele
                Belgium
                [phone], [phone] (fax)

                Sony Europa GmbH
                Bleriot Strasse 1-3
                5000 Cologne 30
                Germany
                [phone], [phone] (fax)

                Sony Europa GmbH
                Landsbergerstrasse 428
                8000 Munich 60
                Germany
                [phone], [phone] (fax)

                Toshiba Europa (I.E.) GmbH
                Hammfelddamm 8
                4040 Neuss 1
                Germany
                [phone], [phone] (fax)



 :Q07  What are some good publications about networks, computing, and CD-ROM?

        Some major periodical publications that include articles that
        will be of interest to CD network managers include:

                Byte                      LAN Times
                CD-ROM Professional       Online
                ComputerWorld             PC Magazine
                InfoWorld                 PC World

        INFORMATION NETWORKING NEWS is an electronic journal produced
        by the UK's CD-ROM and Information Networking Group.  It is
        automatically sent by electronic mail to members of the
        CD-ROM-NETWORK@JNT and CDROMLAN@IDBSU mailing lists, and can be
        retrieved from the BUBL Bulletin Board. Gopher access: available
        on the Radcliffe Science Library gopher, Oxford, UK. EITHER: telnet
        to RSL.OX.AC.UK, login: gopher OR: point your gopher at:

                Name=Oxford Radcliffe Science Library
                Type=1
                Port=70
                Path=1/
                Host=rsl.ox.ac.uk

        INFORMATION NETWORKING NEWS can be found under the section
        headed "Librarians' Corner".


        The following books pertaining to networking have been
        recommended by persons on the list:

                Amon, Elenore M.  Intelligent LAN management with
                Novell NetWare.  (Englewood Cliffs, NJ : Prentice-
                Hall, 1991).

                Derfler, Frank J.  PC Magazine guide to connectivity.
                (Berkeley, CA : Ziff-Davis Press, 1991).

                Clarke, David James.  Novell's CNA Study Guide.
                (San Jose, CA : Novell Press, 1993).
                (Novell Press/Sybex, ISBN 0-7821-1139-4, list $49.95)

                Nance, Barry. Introduction to networking. (Carmel, IN:
                Que, 1992).

                Needleman, Raphael.  InfoWorld : Understanding
                networks.  (New York : Brady Books, 1990).

                Niedermiller-Chaffins, Debra R.  Netware Training Guide,
                Vol 1 and 2.  (unknown : New Riders Publishing, 1993)
                ISBN 1-56205-145-8 and 1-56205-305-1
                (see Siyan, Karanjit for Vol 3 info)

                Siyan, Karanjit. NetWare : the professional reference.
                (Carmel, IN : New Riders Pub., 1992).

                Siyan Karanjit.  Netware Training Guide, Vol 3.
                (unknown : New Riders Publishing, 1994)
                ISBN 1-56205-285-3
                (see Niedermiller-Chaffins, Debra R. for Vols 1 & 2 info)

        Thanks to Dr. Philip Smith and to Tom Wilson, who contributed
        information for this section.


        I am very fond of the FAQ for the Usenet newsgroup comp.sys.novell.
        To obtain a copy of this document, FTP to 129.65.43.132.  Login as
        anonymous.  Located under csn.faq/* you will find FAQ.0, FAQ.1 and
        FAQ.2.  0 is the every-other-week pointer to the FAQ and 1 & 2 are
        parts one and two of the FAQ itself.

        You also may want to check out the FAQ for alt.cdrom, which is
        available for anonymous FTP from:

                cdrom.com

        The file is in the /pub subdirectory and is called FAQ.



 :Q08  What other newsgroups and discussion lists deal with networking/CD-ROMs?

        On Usenet, try:

                alt.cd-rom
                aus.cdrom              (geared towards Australian users)
                bit.listserv.pacs-l
                comp.sys.dec
                comp.sys.novell

        On Bitnet, try the following discussion groups:

                CDROM@BROWNVM            NOVELL@SUVM
                CDPLUS-L@UTORONTO        PACS-L@UHUPVM1
                GOVDOC-L@PSUVM1

        European readers may also be interested in the discussion group
        CDLAN (formerly [e-mail]), which is composed
        of about 100 subscribers from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
        The primary language for this group is German.  To join, send
        the command SUBSCRIBE CDLAN in the body of the message to
        [e-mail].  Also at this address is the
        INETBIB list for issues related to Internet use in libraries.
        [Cribbed from a list message by Michael Schaarwaechter
        ([e-mail]) - thanks Michael!]

        [e-mail] is a British mailing list that discusses
        CD-ROM networking matters.  To join the list, mail to:
        [e-mail] (remember, non-UK folks,
        that's really @jnt.ac.uk).

        On the alternative side, there is Gerald Smith's non-listserv list
        which focuses on the use of CDROMs in the U.S. Federal Government
        (particularly the Department of Defense).  This list specializes
        in Information Management, from document scanning, to burning your
        own CDs, to placing them on a LAN.  To register, send your name,
        email address, location, organization and phone info to:
        [e-mail].



*:Q09  How can I connect Macintoshes to my CD-ROM LAN?

*     Netware/SCSI Express
        The following assumes that you have the Netware for Macintosh
        package installed on your Novell server.  You do not need to
        install the Novell Macintosh client software in order to use
        the CDs, since Netware communicates with the Macs using AppleTalk.
        On the other hand, the Mac client does allow you to use encrypted
        passwords, which is a Good Thing(tm) for security.  If you do not
        use encrypted passwords, you will need to add a line to your
        autoexec.ncf file that reads "set allow unencrypted passwords=on".

        Once you have Netware for Macintosh and SCSI Express installed,
        the procedure to enable Macintosh access to the CDs is as follows:

            1) unload afp.nlm
            2) load cdutil
            3) at "Name Spaces", press <insert> to add Mac namespace
            4) make ????/???? type files invisible = NO
            5) make file set
            6) load afp.nlm
        [Much thanks to Steve Kirby ([e-mail]) 11/94]


        Superbridge, available from Sonic Systems (408-736-1900),
        allows up to 5 devices to be daisy chained with standard
        LocalTalk cabling to a host Macintosh that is connected to
        an ethernet network. Password protection can be set on the
        local talked devices so that only certain users are allowed
        to access them.
        [Thanks to Tony Spinillo ([e-mail])
        for this information.]


        The DEC Infoserver and Virtual Microsystems CDworks will allow
        Macintoshes, MS-DOS machines, and VAX terminals to search
        CD-ROM drives.  My knowledge of these products is a little
        sketchy, so I'll rely on the information provided to me by
        Dennis Brantley of Virtual Microsystems.  Virtual's solution is
        based on the Infoserver, so my assumption is that much of what
        Dennis says about his company's solution also applies to the
        Infoserver.  If this is in error, blame me, not Dennis.


        "Using CDworks, the same system can support PC access to DOS CD's,
        Mac access to Mac CD's, and both PC and Mac access to SilverPlatter
        applications.  Virtual also provides Mac access to DOS CDs by
        by using a Mac to connect to Virtual's CDaccess system, which in
        turn connects to a CD-ROM server such as CDworks."


        Logicraft offers two choices: the low-end 486-ware and the
        higher-end Omniware.  486-ware offers up to 4 DOS sessions to
        Macintosh and other non-DOS platforms (VT terminals).  An Omniware
        server offers one session to a Macintosh, VT terminal, or Unix
        workstation.  Omniware is capable of providing a GUI environment
        to Unix and Mac workstaions.  Logicraft offers various keyboard
        maps for non-DOS platforms.  Logicraft also provide a multi-user
        Omniware with 4 486/33 or 486/66 processors in one box.
        [Thanks to Steve Highcock ([e-mail]) for this info]


        Other solutions do exist that allow Macintoshes to connect to
        a Novell network.  However, I'm not familiar enough with any
        of them to offer much of a description.  Contributions in this
        area would be most welcome.



 :Q10  Can I provide remote access to my CD network via a modem and/or TCP/IP?

        On the simplest level, you may be able to add a few dial-up
        lines using commercial remote communications (RCS) software
        such as Norton PCAnywhere LAN, Central Point Commute, or
        Carbon Copy Plus. All you need to implement such a  solution
        is one or more PCs, a license for the appropriate number of
        the RCS package, a modem for each host PC, and a phone line
        for each modem.  If you are using NetWare, you'll need one
        machine per phone line as you can't multiplex the regular
        version of Novell's IPX.

        Novell's Access Server uses versions of the PCAnywhere ATERM
        program and Quarterdeck's DesqView (both licensed by Novell
        from the appropriate vendors), along with a multiplexed
        version of NetWare's IPX (not the regular IPX stack that is
        included with NetWare) and a communcations board that allows
        you to connect multiple modems to the same PC.  Each IPX
        session runs as a virtual machine under DesqView.  You need to
        supply the host PC and one or more modems.  For more
        information, contact:

                Novell, Inc.
                Communications Products Division
                890 Ross Dr.
                Sunnyvale, CA 94089
                [phone]; [phone]

        The ChatterBox series from J & L Information Systems uses a
        multiple-CPU configuration.  Each CPU is mounted on a separate
        card, which is inserted into a custom tower case.  Each card
        in the ChatterBox has its own network adapter and modem.  The
        ChatterBox cards appear to the network as individual diskless
        workstations.  For more information, contact:

                J & L Information Systems, Inc.
                9238 Deering Ave.
                Chatsworth, CA 91311
                [phone]

        A complete review of solutions that support asynchronous
        communication with Novell networks may be found in the
        following article:

                PC Magazine, 10 September 1991, "Dialing up the LAN",
                pp. 177-227.

        Novell NetWare will not allow users to connect directly
        to the server via TCP/IP.  It is, however, possible to telnet
        to a computer that is connected to a Novell LAN and use that
        machine to make use of CD databases on the network.

        Everywhere Access is a specialized program which provides a
        TELNET server for DOS machines.  It supports the major
        commercial tcp/ip software packages such as FTP, Beame &
        Whiteside, etc., as well as the public domain packet driver
        option.  A very simple description of Everywhere Access
        (EA) is that it allows any VT-100 compatible device to telnet
        into a DOS machine and run character mode applications on that
        machine.  This includes dumb terminals, Macintoshes or any
        microcomputer running a VT100 terminal emulator, and mainframe
        or mini-computers with telnet services available.  EA has
        been specifically designed to minimize the system load of the
        telnet server which normally leaves adequate memory and system
        resources to run common CD-ROM applications.

        The DOS version of EA is basically single user per machine.
        So if you want to provide telnet access for 6 users you have
        to have 6 DOS machines/CPUs available.  A Windows multiuser
        version is in beta testing, while an OS/2 version is under
        development.

        For more information about Everywhere Access contact:

                Supro Network Software Inc.
                P.O. Box 18
                Warsaw, Ontario, Canada  K0L 3A0
                orders: [phone]
                information:  email to [e-mail]

        Thanks to George Beckett of the Health Sciences Library,
        Memorial University of Newfoundland ([e-mail]),
        who composed the section on Everywhere Access.

        In addition to Everywhere Access, Proxy, from Funk SOFTWARE,
        supports 8 simultaneous Windows/DOS sessions through telnet.
        I know nothing else about it.  Funk may be reached by phone
        at [phone].

        Beame & Whiteside has released BW-NFS 3.0, which features the
        usual telnet and NFS and other applications, along with a DOS
        and Windows/DOS telnetd.  You are buying the whole TCP kit.
        Contact [e-mail] for details.  As with Proxy, I haven't
        seen BW-NFS in operation, so I have no further information
        about it.
          [The sections on Proxy and BW-NFS were lifted from the FAQ
          for comp.sys.novell.]

        Virtual Microsystems' CDaccess can provide remote access to
        VT type terminals, or anything that can emulate a VT.  Connection
        to CDaccess is via LAT (good for DEC users), Telnet, or direct
        dial-in using modems.  CDaccess is available in 386/33 or 486/50
        configurations.  In either case, a system consists of 4 independent
        processors, each with a minimum of 4MB of RAM and a network
        interface card.  The NIC connects the user to a LAN where CDworks
        or other networking systems resides.



 :Q11  How can I connect my CD network to an IBM mainframe?

        If you are using Novell Netware as your network operating
        system, you may be able to use something like Novell's LAN
        Workplace for DOS or the Clarkson University TCP/IP program to
        communicate between your workstations and the mainframe.
        (Assuming, of course, that your mainframe is able to
        communicate via TCP/IP).  This has the advantage of being
        potentially the cheapest solution, but there are some
        tradeoffs to consider.  The drivers needed to support TCP/IP
        communications do take some memory on each workstation.  If
        you're tight on memory as it is, you may want to consider
        another solution.

        A more standard approach is to set up a microcomputer to serve
        as a gateway between your LAN and the mainframe.  A number of
        vendors sell products that will enable you to do this
        relatively inexpensively.  These vendors include:

                Chi Corp.  (LinkUP 3270)
                31200 Carter St.
                Solon, OH 44139
                216-349-8600

                Data Interface Systems, Inc.  (DI3270)
                PO Box 4189
                Austin TX 78765
                800-351-4244; 512-346-5641

                ICOT Corp.  (pcPATH SNA-3770)
                PO Box 5143
                San Jose, CA 95150
                800-762-3270; 408-433-3300

                Novell, Inc.  (NetWare 3270)
                122 East 1700 South
                Provo, UT 84606
                800-453-1267; 801-379-5900



 :Q12  What do I need to set up a small (2-8 user), low cost CD network?

        At a minimum you will need:

        1) a machine to use as a file server (at least a 386DX-25)

        2) some workstations (286 or better *highly* recommended)

        3) network interface cards (NICs) for each workstation
           (Eagle and Western Digital are popular brands)

        4) enough cabling (most likely Ethernet) to connect all of
           your workstations to the server

        5) a SCSI host adapter (the Adaptec boards, such as the
           1540, are popular)

        6) one or more SCSI CD-ROM drives (you will connect the CD
           drives to the server via the host adapter and to each
           other via "daisy chain" cable)

        7) a copy of a low-end network operating system (NOS) such
           as Artisoft's LANtastic (make sure you get the 10 mbs
           Ethernet version!) or Novell NetWare Lite.

        This will probably be enough to get you going, but you need to
        realize that if your network grows, much of this hardware and
        software will need to be replaced.  Some of it can be recycled
        when you upgrade your network in a year or so, but some of it
        will probably end up in the back room next to your Osborne.

        A few pointers on the machine you select for a server.  You
        want the fastest machine with the most memory and most fixed
        disc storage space you can possibly get.  Assuming that you
        are using a DOS-based LAN such as LANtastic, a fast 80386
        machine (at least a 25mhz 386DX, and preferably a 386DX-33 or
        386DX-40) with 2-4 megabytes of memory and a fixed disc of
        100-200 megabytes capacity ought to be enough to get you going
        on a small scale.  Don't worry about the video display on the
        server.  A VGA board is overkill on this machine, since it
        will be a dedicated server.

        Realistically, your workstations should be at least 80286
        machines.  As with the server, the more power, the better.
        Machines using the 80386 chip may allow you to load more
        device drivers into upper memory.  Most CD search apps require
        around 500K of base memory in order to operate; some require
        even more.  Once you've loaded DOS, your network shell, the
        Microsoft Extensions, and any other drivers you need, you may
        find that you are getting close to the minimum needed to run
        your CD search software.  With a 386 or 486 machine, you can
        use the EMM386.EXE program that comes with DOS 5.0/6.0 to load
        some of these items into upper memory.  That may turn out to
        be the difference between a functioning CD network and a group
        of dead machines connected via cable.

        The best piece of advice anyone setting up a small network
        such as this can receive is to plan ahead.  Don't box yourself
        in by assuming that just because your network operates fine
        the day you bring it up, it will perform satisfactorily
        forever.  It won't.  Someday you will outgrow this network.
        Buy equipment with the assumption that it will have to
        function (possibly in a different capacity) on a higher-
        performance network using a high-end networking solution
        (e.g., SCSI Express, Meridian, or CBIS).  And whatever you do,
        don't buy cheap network components.  If you have to cut costs,
        scale back on the size of your LAN.



*:Q13  What menu and usage tracking programs are available for my network?

        There are a number of very fine menu programs available for
        use with DOS and Novell networks.  Some of the more widely-
        known commercial packages include:

                Automenu

                Magee Enterprises
                PO Box 1587
                Norcross, GA 30091
                [phone]

        A shareware version of Automenu (ver. 4.7) is available for
        anonymous FTP from:

        athene.uni-paderborn.de  Location: /pcsoft/msdos/menu
        boombox.micro.umn.edu    Location: /pub/netware
        cs.ubc.ca                Location: /mirror4/msdos/menu
        isfs.kuis.kyoto-u.ac.jp  Location: /MSDOS/simtel20-archive/menu
        nic.switch.ch            Location: /mirror/msdos/menu
        oak.oakland.edu          Location: /pub/msdos/menu
        omnigate.clarkson.edu    Location: /pub/simtel20-cdrom/msdos/menu
        risc.ua.edu              Location: /pub/network/misc/menus
        terra.stack.urc.tue.nl   Location: /pub/simtel/menu

        In all cases, the file name is auto47.zip.  The same version is
        available on America Online, and perhaps other commercial online
        services such as CompuServe.


                Direct Access Network

                Fifth Generation Systems, Inc.
                10049 N. Reiger Rd.
                Baton Rouge, LA 70809
                [phone]; [phone]


*               CD-Manager/5

                H+H Zentrum fuer Rechnerkommunikation GmbH
                Herzberger Landstr. 48
                3400 Goettingen, Germany
                Tel.: ++49-551-52208-0
                Fax.: ++49-551-486859
                Internet: [e-mail]

        CD-Manager/5 is a menu and management system specifially
        preconfigured for Logicraft LanCD/FastCD, Meridian Data CDNET,
        SCSI-Express, and remote terminal access via LogiCraft Omniware,
        but runs with Optinet and CD-Connection as well.

        DOS and Windows versions are available, and both versions can be
        used in "mixed" mode, accessing the same licence and protocol files.
        CD-Manager/5 is not available in the US so far, but does have an
        installed base of over 300 sites in Europe.  It provides displays in
        German, French, and English and allows the user to switch between
        these three languages.
          [Many thanks to Christian Heinisch ([e-mail])
           for this information.]


                Saber Menu

                Saber Software Corp.
                PO Box 9088            -or-    5944 Luther Lane
                Dallas, TX 75209               Dallas, TX 75225
                Internet:  [e-mail]
                           [e-mail]
                [phone]; [phone]; [phone] fax


        So far as usage tracking/software metering is concerned, this
        is a built-in feature on Direct Access Network.  Saber
        Software sells a package called Saber Meter, which
        has the decided advantage of using no memory on workstations.

        You might also want to check out:

                AppMeter

                Funk Software, Inc.
                222 Third Street
                Cambridge, MA 02142
                [phone], [phone]


                LabLauncher

        LabLauncher is a metering program for the Macintosh.  It
        may be obtained by following these steps:


        1) ftp to NERVM.NERDC.UFL.EDU (128.227.212.10)

        2) cd leow.192 (you won't see leow.192, but cd to it anyway,
           it's there)

        3) dir or ls to see list of files.  Details and disclaimer
           about the utilities are in the ASCII text file,
           "about.files"; the utilities themselves will have to be
           unBinHexed and unCompacted.

        4) enter the "get" command for the utility you want.


                SiteLock (AKA SiteMeter?)

                Brightwork Development, Inc.
                766 Shrewsbury Ave.
                Jerral Center West
                Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
                [phone]; [phone]

        SiteLock loads as a TSR on the workstations.  If you're tight
        on memory, it may not be a suitable solution.


        There is also SofTrack from ON Technology that I do not
        yet have any additional information on. . .



:Q14  What timeout programs are available for my network?

        There have been many requests on the list for this type
        of information recently, thus a new question (and answer!)
        is born.  Many programs provide for automatic exiting
        after certain conditions are met (usually based upon lack
        of keystrokes for a specified period of time, but sometimes
        absence of screen input or other interesting characteristic).
        Unfortunately, this is frequently not the case - once in a
        program, the workstation is stuck there (unless we get
        lucky and the user backs out to the menu - HAH!), using up
        a license and ready to confuse the next patron.  Timeout
        programs to the rescue!

          IDLEBOOT - a shareware program that will reboot (warm-
          or cold- I know not at present) a PC after a specific
          time of inactivity (keyboard, I believe).  Price is from
          $30 to $300 depending upon network size.  Can be found on
          many anonymous FTP sites.

          Shepard - a !FREEWARE! program which will log a user out
          of an application after about 3 minutes of inactivity
          (again, keyboard, I believe).  It was written by fellow
          Alaskan Tony Taylor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks
          and is _very_ useful with both Saber and Direct Access menus.
          This one is a little harder to find.  The primary source is
          charon.elmer.alaska.edu in /pub/shepard/shep2.zip.
          An excellent alternative is uwovax.uwo.ca/pub/libsoft/shep2.zip.
            [Cribbed from a list message by David Roy ([e-mail])
             Thanks, David!  Of course, I got some scoop directly from
             Tony himself - thanks for the program.]



*:Q15  Who are some CD-ROM database producers and how can I contact them?

        To begin with, there are four very large directories of

        CD-ROM databases:

          The CD-ROM directory (TFPL, semi-annual, in print and on CD-ROM)

          CD-ROM Finder (Learned Information, annual)

          CD-ROMs in Print (Meckler, annual, in print and on CD-ROM)

          Gale Directory of Databases, Vol 2 (Gale, semi-annual;
          Vol 1 covers online databases)

        Each covers thousands of titles with different amounts of detail.
         [Cribbed from a list message by Ka-Neng Au
          ([e-mail] or [e-mail]) - THANKS!]

                R.R. Bowker
                121 Chanlon Rd.
                New Providence, NJ 07974
                [phone]


                CD PLUS
                333 Seventh Ave.
                New York, New York 10001
                Internet: [e-mail] (general information)
                          [e-mail] (technical support)
                          [e-mail] (suggestion box)
                [phone]; [phone]
                Amsterdam office:  [e-mail]  [phone]

                Compact Cambridge
                7200 Wisconsin Ave.
                Bethesda, MD 20814
                [phone]

                Dialog Information Services, Inc.
                3460 Hillview Ave.
                Palo Alto, CA 94304
                [phone]; [phone]

*               EBSCO Publishing
                83 Pine St.
                Peabody, MA 01960
                800/653-2726; 508-535-8545
                [e-mail]

                Gale Research Inc.
                835 Penobscot Building
                Detroit, MI 48226
                [phone]

                Newsbank/Readex
                58 Pine Street
                New Canaan, CT 06840
                [phone]; [phone]

                SilverPlatter Information Inc.
                100 River Ridge Dr.
                Norwood, MA 02062
                [phone]
                Internet: [e-mail]
                          [e-mail]

                University Microfilms International (UMI)
                300 North Zeeb Rd.
                Ann Arbor, MI 48106
                [phone], [phone]

                H.W. Wilson Company
                950 University Ave.
                Bronx, NY 10452
                [phone], [phone]

                WLN
                PO Box 3888
                Lacey, WA  98503-0888
                [phone]; [phone]


 :Q16  Are there any FTP sites that contain materials related to networking?

        I've swiped (and edited) the following list from Kevin Wang's FAQ
        for comp.sys.novell:

        ftp.novell.com                 137.65.4.1
        netlab2.usu.edu                129.123.1.44
        risc.ua.edu                    130.160.4.7
        ftp.salford.ac.uk              146.87.0.201
        ftp.rug.nl                     129.125.4.15
        tu1.lincoln.ac.nz              138.75.10.31
        inf.nw.nrc.ca                  132.246.160.4
        omnigate.clarkson.edu          128.153.4.2
        splicer2.cba.hawaii.edu        128.171.17.2
        syr.edu                        128.230.1.49
        garbo.uwasa.fi                 128.214.87.1
        rigel.acs.oakland.edu          141.210.10.117
        wuarchive.wustl.edu            128.252.135.4
        ftp.uu.net                     137.39.1.9
        nic.funet.fi                   128.214.6.100
        archie.au                      139.130.4.6

        If you don't have an FTP connection, you might could use the
        BITFTP-FTP/Email gateway.  For more information, send an e-mail
        message containing HELP as the BODY (not a subject) to
        [e-mail].



 :Q17  Do I have to run the Microsoft Extensions in order to network my CDs?

        This depends on the CD networking solution you are using.  In
        most cases, the answer is "Yes".  Nearly all existing DOS and
        NetWare solutions require the MS Extensions to be loaded
        somewhere, whether on a server (as is the case with CBIS) or
        on each workstation (as is the case with some other
        solutions).  The key exception is SCSI Express.



 :Q18  Where can I get a copy of the latest version of the MS Extensions?

        The current version of the Microsoft Extensions is 2.22.
        It, along with several other neat utilities, is included
        with DOS 6.0.  If you haven't done so already, DOS 6.0 is
        well worth the upgrade cost.  That's one way to get the
        new extensions.

        In the past, the Extensions have been available for anonymous
        FTP from:

                cdrom.com (192.153.46.254)

        The path to the file is: /pub/cdext.exe

        This is a self-extracting archive file.  This file is also
        available in the PC World Online General Utilities library on
        America Online.

        I haven't taken the time to verify that these sites are
        supplying the latest 'n' greatest version of the extensions.
        But whatever they're supplying will probably work with any
        version of DOS just fine.



 :Q19  Are there advantages to using Ethernet over Token Ring, or vice versa?

        This is probably a "hot button" question, but it crops up from
        time to time.  Both Ethernet and Token Ring have their unique
        advantages and disadvantages.  Token Ring, especially in its
        16 mps version, probably is a bit faster than 10 mps Ethernet.
        On the other hand, Ethernet is a good bit cheaper to install.
        In most cases, though, the best thing probably is to follow
        whatever is a standard for your site.  If most of your site is
        wired with Ethernet, it's probably advisable for you to use
        Ethernet.  If most of the networks at your site use Token
        Ring, then Token Ring is probably your best solution.  It is
        possible to communicate between the two protocols, but you
        introduce another layer of complexity when you do so and you
        may pay a performance penalty in the process.  In any event,
        both Ethernet and Token Ring have large installed bases and
        either of them will provide acceptable performance if properly
        configured.



 :Q20  Can I connect a multidisc changer (like the Pioneer DRM-600) to my LAN?

        Yes, you can, but you more than likely do not want to.
        Multidisc changers typically contain only a single CD-ROM
        drive.  They operate by moving discs in and out of that drive
        as needed.  This is fairly slow, mechanical process that
        cannot be compensated for with caching, fast servers, or fast
        workstations.  If two or more users try to use different CDs
        located in the changer simultaneously, the response time
        cannot help but be very poor.  Multidisc changers work well on
        standalone machines, but they really are not suitable for use
        as network devices in most cases.  If you absolutely *must*
        connect a disc changer to your LAN, at least one solution--
        Micro Design's SCSI Express--will support them.  Other
        solutions may support these devices as well.  It is probably
        best to contact the vendor who sold you your CD networking
        solution for details.



 :Q21  How can I improve the performance of my CD network?

        Well, that depends a lot on the type of network you have in
        place.  Some obvious suggestions are to get a faster file
        server, to upgrade your workstations to a faster CPU, and/or
        to invest in faster CD-ROM drives.  If you're using a DOS-
        based LAN, such as LANtastic, you might want to consider
        migrating to another networking solution (e.g., SCSI Express,
        Meridian, etc.)  None of these enhancements will be cheap, but
        in networking you usually get about what you pay for.

        If you are using SCSI Express, CorelDriver, or another NLM
        solution, you may want to invest in more memory for your file
        server.  This will allow you to allocate a larger cache for
        your CD applications, which should improve your server's
        performance.

        Better use of caching will in fact be of use to many CD
        networks.  A good caching program (such as the SMARTDRV.SYS
        that comes with DOS 5.0 or, even better, the SMARTDRV.EXE that
        comes with DOS 6.0) can improve search performance.
        SMARTDRV.SYS takes up just 13K of system memory.  If you can
        spare that much on your workstations, it's probably a
        worthwhile use of resources.  We use SMARTDRV.EXE on our
        workstations.  It seems to speed up our search applications,
        although it does not cache the CD-ROMs themselves.

        If your networking solution requires you to load the Microsoft
        Extensions on your workstations, you might want to consider
        increasing the number of buffers allocated by the extensions
        to caching the CD drive.  This is controlled with the /M
        switch.  The default is 10 buffers.  You can increase this by
        appending a larger value to the switch (e.g., /M:15).  Each
        buffer takes up 2K of memory, but you may be able to move the
        buffers into expanded memory by using the /E switch.

        One final performance boost that the beginning network manager
        might overlook: make sure your search software is not running
        off of the CD-ROM drive.  The fastest CD drives are still
        nearly three times as slow as an ancient Seagate ST-225 fixed
        disc with its paltry 85 millisecond seek rate.  If at all
        possible, run the CD search software off of your file server's
        fixed disc.  That's what it's there for.



 :Q22  Do I need anti-virus software on my CD network?

        Definitely.  No matter how careful you are and how bulletproof
        you try to make your network, the sorry truth of the matter is
        that viruses are a fact of network life.  There are a number of
        commercial anti-virus programs on the market.  They are
        available in most places where software is sold.  And, of
        course, DOS 6.0 does include an antivirus program (VSAFE) that
        you can load on your workstations (if you have 22K of RAM to
        spare), plus a version of the Central Point Anti-Virus program
        that Microsoft distributes under license.

        A number of leading organizations in the computer security
        field (including the National Computer Security Association,
        the VSUM Virus Library, and the Hamburg Virus Test Center)
        tested a group of anti-virus programs (including shareware
        and commercial anti-viral packages) against a pool of over
        1400 known viruses and strains.  The best performer was the
        McAfee suite of anti-viral programs, which detected an
        amazing 97 percent of all potential infections.  (By
        comparison, two well-known commercial anti-virus packages
        were successful roughly 70 percent of the time.)

        The McAfee programs are shareware and are available
        from a great many FTP sites, bulletin boards, and commercial
        online services.  Best thing to do may be to connect to your
        favorite online source and look for the following files:

                CLEAN10x.ZIP    SCANV10x.ZIP
                NETSC10x.ZIP    VSHLD10x.ZIP

        The x will indicate the version number for each file.

        The Macintosh equivalent of the McAfee programs is Disinfectant,
        which is available for FTP from a number of sites.



 :Q23   What solutions are available to provide network printer support?

        Well, that depends on what network operating system you're using.
        All I can do is comment on solutions that work with Novell NetWare.

        Novell provides several utilities that, in theory, will enable you
        to connect printers to your LAN.  The three principal programs are
        PSERVER.EXE, RPRINTER.EXE, and PSERVER.NLM.

        You use PSERVER.NLM to establish a network print server to service
        the print queue(s) you set up via PCONSOLE.  PSERVER.EXE requires
        you to dedicate one or more workstations to service printers/queues.
        It's performance, while far from stellar, is at least better than
        RPRINTER (which admittedly isn't saying much).

        RPRINTER, which allows you to operate printers that are connected to
        one or more workstations in a non-dedicated mode (i.e., the
        workstations can be used--in theory--for other things), is
        notoriously unreliable and pitifully slow.  It also fails to handle
        graphic images acceptably, which may be a problem depending upon
        your particular setup.

        Generally speaking, Novell's network print services have one thing
        to recommend them: you get them for no extra charge when you buy your
        copy of NetWare.   Fortunately, there are some third-party network
        print servers that perform much better than the utilities that are
        bundled with NetWare.

        We've had satisfactory experience (so far) with the Intel NetPort
        print server.  Others have spoken highly of the Hewlett-Packard
        JetDirect cards.  (Contact your HP dealer for details: I ain't got
        'em).  You might also want to check out a product from Digital
        Products, Inc. (800-243-2333, contact Deborah Reicheld).  This
        product contains a high-speed parallel port and both RG-58/10BaseT
        connectors.  Cost is under $500.



 :Q24  Where can I get training in network management techniques?

        The answer to this question really depends on the network operating
        system you are using.  I can answer the question for Novell Netware,
        but I'll have to rely on someone else to provide a comparable
        answer for other NOSs.

        Novell offers a number of options for training in the management of
        a Netware LAN.  By far the cheapest is to buy a copy of the CNA
        Study Guide that is mentioned elsewhere in this document.  According
        to the book, the CNA Study Guide covers all of the objectives for
        Novell's Certified Netware Administrator (CNA) credential.  That
        doesn't guarantee that you'll become an instant celebrity among
        the other net managers at your site, but it is a start.

        Novell also provides training through Novell Authorized
        Education Centers (NAECs).  NAECs are not directly affiliated with
        Novell, but are designated by Novell to provide instructor-led
        training in the management of Netware LANs.  You can obtain a
        list of NAECs in your area by calling 1-800-233-3382 (in the US
        and Canada) or 1-801-429-5508 (in all other areas).  You also may
        obtain information on CNA certification by calling these numbers.

        It may be possible for you to obtain Netware management training
        through a local college or university.  Novell does sponsor a
        program called Novell Education Academic Partner (NEAP), which
        provides training comparable to that provided by the NAECs, but
        in a traditional education format.  Currently, a limited number of
        institutions have chosen to participate in the NEAP program.  If
        your site is fortunate enough to have a Certified Netware Instructor
        (CNI) on staff, s/he may also provide Netware education as part of
        your institution's staff training program.

        If you're interested to see how you might do on the CNA examination,
        but don't want to spend the money for the CNA Study Guide, you might
        want to obtain a copy of CNA10.EXE, which contains sample questions
        from the CNA test itself.  This file is available from ftp.novell.com
        and its various mirror sites (e.g., risc.ua.edu) in the directory:

             /pub/netwire/novlib/02

 :Q25  Is this the end of the FAQ?

        Yup, Bubba, you're done.  Time to call in the dogs and spit on
        the fire.