Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!samsung!olivea!decwrl!infopiz!abekas!lynn From: lynn@abekas.uucp (Lynn ) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.lans Subject: Re: LANtastic 3.03: start using ArtiSoft cards, or else... Message-ID: <1991Mar19.161753.2966@abekas.uucp> Date: 19 Mar 91 16:17:53 GMT References: <2106@netmbx.UUCP> <9@peanut.UUCP> Organization: Abekas Video Systems Inc., Redwood City, California. Lines: 29 In <9@peanut.UUCP> dts@peanut.UUCP (Daniel Senie) writes: >Artisoft and most other vendors of network software support a standard >called NDIS. Manufacturers of lan adapters have almost all written NDIS >drivers for their boards. There is no need to fear being locked into >a single brand of boards. >Artisoft did announce a change in the licensing of their product, but it >was a change from licensing "up to users for x $$$" to a policy of >"x $$$ per station". As I read the press releases, it would not have a >significant financial impact most customers. I installed a 5 station LANtastic network last month. It included two systems using the Ethernet cards that came with the connection kit and three laptops using Xircom pocket LAN adapters. The Ethernet connection kit used to be packaged as supporting up to a large number of nodes. It is now up to a large number of Artisoft nodes, everybody else has to pay to play. Since the price of the connection kit has not been reduced and the discounted price per additional node is about $75, this CAN have a significant financial impact. You are correct that other vendors provide low level drivers however the servers know their own and will not work until you provide suitably licenced copies or take the entire network down to a 3.01 level. Artisoft does not support connection of a 3.01 level client to a 3.02 level server. Lynn Macey abekas!lynn@pyramid.com