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From: tony@scotty.dccs.upenn.edu (Anthony Olejnik)
Newsgroups: comp.protocols.tcp-ip.ibmpc
Subject: Request for confirmation/comments on UB NDIS Spec (& pricing)
Message-ID: <36331@netnews.upenn.edu>
Date: 25 Jan 91 17:52:05 GMT
Sender: news@netnews.upenn.edu
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of Pennsylvania
Lines: 38
Originator: tony@scotty.dccs.upenn.edu

I just called Ungermann-Bass (we have a bunch of their smart ethernet 
cards in use here at UofP) regarding pricing and availability for their
TCP NDIS (Network Driver Interface Spec) driver.

I'm told its $395 (-15% edu discount = #335.75).  Can anyone confirm this?
This price is outrageous!!!!!

Due to the extreme lack of features of the existing UB TCP/IP for DOS
product, I'm looking for alternatives.  Since I already have made a
significant investment in the UB ethernet hardware, i'd like to try to
use other vendor's software (which have much more features and growth
potential) with the smart UB card.

From what I understand, the NDIS driver from UB will allow me to use
other vendor's software which also uses the NDIS spec. 

However, for ~$336 + <cost of other vendors's software>, it doesn't
seem worth it.  In fact, its cheaper to get an inexpensive Western
Digital board and throw away the smart Ungermann-Bass card (and bulky
transceiver cable and transceiver).

Can anyone confirm this price?
Does anyone have any comments?
Is anyone in my situation?  If so, what are you doing about it?

Any help would be *GREATLY* appreciated.

Thanks.

--Tony Olejnik
  Network Engineer
  University of Pennsylvania
  Data Communications and Computing Services
  3401 Walnut Street
  Suite 221A
  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6228
  (215) 898-9408
  tony@scotty.dccs.upenn.edu