Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!att!bellcore!cellar.bae.bellcore.com!louie
From: louie@cellar.bae.bellcore.com (Paul Louie)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.lans
Subject: Novell from 150 miles away
Message-ID: <28460@bellcore.bellcore.com>
Date: 1 Nov 90 19:42:35 GMT
Sender: news@bellcore.bellcore.com
Reply-To: louie@cellar.bae.bellcore.com (Paul Louie)
Organization: Bell Communications Research
Lines: 49

In article <u9wPR1w163w@furp.lonestar.org> 
grutz@furp.lonestar.org (Kurt Grutzmacher) writes:

>I have a simple question that somebody might be able to answer:
>
>Other than using a modem and dedicated telephone lines, is it possible to
>have a workstation login to a Novell network from over 150 miles away? 
>Expense is no problem, so a T1 link option or leased line (there would be
>from about 6 to 10 workstations located about 150 miles away from the server)
>is okay.
>
>The server would be a normal IBM PS/2 running Novell or IBM's network (I don't
>know what they call it...).  Please give a list of hardware needed, etc... The
>company already has quite a few IBM mainframes tied together via networking,
>but has not involved the PC LAN in this scheme (they're really scared of using
>PCs...).

We all wish we are as lucky as you - doing a job w/o worrying about the
cost.  I can tell you two methods, and the one that applies depends on
the performance criteria (you didn't mention performance).

1. Cheap, but slow:

   You can set up an async comm server by having an pc on the lan fitted with
   a Hayes compatible MODEM.  A remote control software is installed here
   and the remote PC (PC-Anywhere or Carbon Copy).  Once the MODEMs sync-up
   the remote user takes full control of the LAN connect local PC.  The 
   fileserver would never know that the user is hundreds or thousands of miles
   away.

   The response time (most practical to an end user is the screen refresh
   rate) is about 4-6 seconds, even with a pair of 9600 compression MODEMS
   that produce a claimed 19,200 bps throughput.  This is the fastest 
   MODEMs available for async comm.

2. Expensive solution:

   Install an X.25 Bridge from Eicon.  It can be config to run in Protected
   Mode (using extended memory) in any 286/386 PC, thus leaving a full 640K 
   for the Netware Shell (NET3) and user application.  It can support sub-T1
   speed of up to 115,000bps in full duplex synchronous mode.  It is definitely
   good enough for a single remote user.  We use it to hook up sizable LANs
   with this setup.

You should give the outfit, PDS, a call.  They implement both of these
setup for us and they run great.  (201) 866-4898.  They do contract work
around this Country and Canada.