Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 Adelie 8/14/85; site adelie.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!mit-eddie!think!harvard!adelie!barry From: barry@adelie.UUCP (Barry A. Burke) Newsgroups: net.dcom Subject: Re: MNP Proposed as Industry Standard Message-ID: <557@adelie.UUCP> Date: Wed, 18-Dec-85 09:30:35 EST Article-I.D.: adelie.557 Posted: Wed Dec 18 09:30:35 1985 Date-Received: Fri, 20-Dec-85 02:36:38 EST References: <213@gould9.UUCP> Reply-To: barry@adelie.UUCP (Barry A. Burke) Organization: Adelie Corporation, Newtonville MA Lines: 61 Keywords: MNP, FastLink, High-speed Dialup Access Summary: MNP's growing popularity makes it worthwhile for Modem Mfg's. Regarding Microcom's recent MNP announcements, Joel West asks: >Questions and comments: > 1. It still seems as though Microcom is trying to make money on the > standard itself, instead of benefiting more indirectly from > the standard's success (e.g., Tymnet and X.PC) Without as massive an end-user delivery vehicle as Tymnet, Microcom is trying to make money the only way they can. The hope is that the easy availability of MNP will cause the MAJORITY of Modem manufacturers to License MNP, while Tymet's X.PC is targetted more at Software (eg. terminal emulator/file transfer) developers. > 2. $100 is pretty high for "public domain". If the manuals are > less than 500 pages (remember the "Inside Macintosh" > controversy), they're probably making a good profit margin > on this "public domain" product. And what's wrong with making a profit? And try licensing SNA (*ANY* level) for $100. > 3. What are the chances that this act of selfless generosity > will be accepted? Tremendous. Already there's not a single major modem manufacturer (except Hayes) that doesn't have MNP available on at least one modem (er, excuse me- AT&T may not have delivered a modem with MNP either). > 4. Why would any company pay $2,500 for 4-6, when they can get > 1-3 free? Because 4-6 are BETTER. A recent article in Computer Systems News mentioned that levels 4+ have automatic variable-length packet framing (levels 1-3 are fixed at 64 chars). Also, starting at level 5 (I think), data compression is included- Microcom has announced a 4800 baud modem which is really 2400 baud with data compression. Level 6 is for 9600 baud (+?), Microcom has announced intent to provide modems in this sphere, too. The important factor of all this is that higher throughput is available using MNP 4+ using existing modem technology and standards (the DCA FastLink is NOT "standard" technology- it's extremely proprietary). > 5. Even if it is free, is there any reason why I would want > MNP? Probably not unless you manufacture modems. It's not clear whether anything can be gained (or if it's even possible) by running MNP in software in say, your PC's terminal emulator. BUT, if you DO manufacture modems, already it appears to be in your best interest to invest in and implement MNP, since a growing percentage of the 2400+ baud modems are using it. And if (as I suspect) MNP works BETTER for interactive use than does the FastLink stuff at higher speeds- look out, EVERYBODY will have MNP. [Disclaimer: I have no interest or relationship with Microcom, etc.] [ I provide no warrent, expressed or otherwise, that the] [ above information is correct. ] -- LIVE: Barry A. Burke, (617) 965-8480 x26 USPS: Adelie Corporation, 288 Walnut St., Newtonville, MA 02160 UUCP: ..!{harvard | decvax!linus!axiom}!adelie!barry ARPA: adelie!barry@harvard.HARVARD.EDU, barry%adelie.UUCP@harvard.HARVARD.EDU