ARM Club 3/TheARMClub_PDCD3.iso/hensa/documentation/documents/a252aun1

Internet Message Format | 1999-04-27 | 7KB

From: [e-mail] (Michael Hardy)
Subject: Re: Archimedes Networks
Date: 4 Jun 92 11:29:48 GMT


Here's some "information about any developments in the future": specifically
about 'Universal Networking from Acorn'. This was announced at BETT, and a
brochure has been available free from your Acorn network dealer ever since;
its product code is APP 420. To quote from the brochure:


"Acorn and Networking
 --------------------

The ability for IT users to be able to communicate with each other and with
other companies is now recognized as one of the key factors governing the
success of enterprises as diverse as commercial multi-nationals and village
schools.

Acorn's commitment to communication in the truest sense is nowhere better
shown than in its strategy for the 90s, the Universal Networking System from
Acorn.

The Acorn Universal Networking (AUN) System enables users of AUN to have a
mixture of operating systems, machines and cabling types co-existing on the
same network. Regardless of which, the users' and manager's interface and
access to resources remains a consistent one.

The use of Industry Standard protocols is at the heart of Universal
Networking and it is this that enables different systems to co-exist on a
network.

Universal Networking Systems allows a choice of technologies and a choice of
prices and performance. Investment in existing equipment can be maintained
whilst the number of users on the network can be increased on a step-by-step
basis, as required and as budgets allow.

Acorn protects your IT investments with no need for expensive retraining or
software upgrades. No longer will users be faced with expensive upgrades of
their whole system as the only way to keep pace with technology. No longer
will users have to make painful choices between incompatible systems with
mutually exclusive benefits.

As much or as little new hardware as you please can be added at a rate to
suit your needs. This modular approach allows you to continue using and
benefitting from your existing IT investment; whilst the 'Open Systems'
approach of AUN enables you to benefit more quickly from enhanced IT
technologies that will now work alongside your existing equipment. Users
also benefit from this investment more quickly as their interface to the
network and its resources remains familiar."


The brochure then goes on to give an example of developing an existing
'cluster network' (ie Econet with Level 4 FileServer). A second Ethernet
network is added to form a 'departmental network'. The Econet and Ethernet
are interconnected using a Level 4 FileServer fitted with both types of
interface, and running AUN software: an AUN 'gateway station'. It says:


"The advantage for the network manager in Universal Networking from Acorn is
that the software in the gateway computers handles the routing issues
intelligently and without supervision. Combined with the capability of
managing the whole system from a single station, this frees the manager from
some of the day-to-day burden, and allows him to concentrate on the
important issues of IT development."


The brochure then continues the example, showing the further expansion of
the network to form an 'enterprise network'. The back page goes on to give
more details:


"Future Directions
 -----------------

IT users worldwide have been demanding that vendors show support for the
concept of 'Open Systems', particularly in the area of networking. Briefly,
the idea behind Open Systems is that customers should be able to use any
hardware or software without consideration of 'compatibility'. Obviously,
this ideal is still some years off, but by endorsing Open Systems as they
apply to networks, Acorn Computers will be in a position to ensure its
customers that their networks will be able to participate in the future of
networking.

Acorn endorses the Open Systems approach to networking which has come
together in the 7-layer reference model published by the International
Standards Organisation (ISO). This model provides the concepts needed to
build 'open' networks. Those manufacturers that describe their solution
using proprietary technology will find it very difficult to make systems and
networks that work together. In a situation where there is a requirement for
products to work together and communicate with the outside world it is
likely that a single vendor solution will prove untenable.

By applying the OSI reference model Acorn ensures that users can interwork
with other networks and systems. This enables our systems to interwork with
other systems in the same network, thus allowing users to choose the
solution that best fits their requirements without being isolated by this
choice.

Protocols are the languages of networking. Acorn's Universal Networking
System (AUN) is based on the industry standard TCP/IP protocols. Acorn's use
of TCP/IP and other non-propietary standards ensures thst users are able to
have the benefit of a system that is built specifically to meet their needs.
Acorn's Universal Networking allows you to invest with confidence in the
present whilst ensuring that you have a networking infrastructure that can
incorporate your future requirements.

Such an example could be a site which decides to replace Econet with
Ethernet. AUN will allow for the simple replacement of the underlying cable
without disruption to the users. From the users' viewpoint his world remains
unchanged so skills and training do not require re-learning and the benefits
of enhanced technology can be immediately realised. Further cabling types
such as fibre optics (FDDI) and cordless LANs (CLANs) can be accomodated as
required.

Universal Netwroking ensures that any computer which can support TCP/IP
and/or Ethernet will be able to connect to an Ethernet network within AUN.
This includes PCs, Apple and Unix-based systems. This has the advantage of
allowing the user to retain the friendly and powerful RISC OS environment,
whilst making full use of other systems on your network. This way of working
is particularly common in universities and larger commercial organisations,
where TCP/IP and Ethernet are widely used to connect a diverse collection of
resources to the user's desk.

By endorsing TCP/IP and moving towards full ISO standards, Acorn is showing
its continuing commitment to providing its customers with the best available
standards, that are internationally supported, at any given time. Acorn
Computer's customers are thus able to build networks now, that will be able
to incorporate additional technological benefits as they are developed or
become economically available."


The brochure then goes on to address issues of support, and to give a
glossary.


I hope you find useful this information about the direction in which Acorn
is going.

- Michael J Hardy

  Technical Publications    Email:      [e-mail]
  Acorn Computers Ltd       Telephone:  [phone]
  Cambridge TechnoPark      Fax:        [phone]
  645 Newmarket Road        Telex:      817875 ACORN G
  Cambridge CB5 8PB
  England                   Disclaimer: All opinions are my own, not Acorn's