Path: utzoo!utgpu!attcan!uunet!husc6!uwvax!oddjob!uxc!uxc.cso.uiuc.edu!kailand!pwolfe
From: pwolfe@kailand.KAI.COM
Newsgroups: comp.sys.sequent
Subject: Re: Ether terminal software (PC)
Message-ID: <2400012@kailand>
Date: 2 Aug 88 12:23:00 GMT
References: <137@pbseps.UUCP>
Lines: 47
Nf-ID: #R:pbseps.UUCP:137:kailand:2400012:000:2656
Nf-From: kailand.KAI.COM!pwolfe    Aug  2 07:23:00 1988


We've got Sequent Symmetry and Balance hosts with NFS, and PC's accessing
them (and other hosts) via ethernet.  One of our PC's (soon two) use PC/NFS.

If you're purchasing PC/NFS, you'll get TELNET programs with it that do what
you want, let the PC emulate a vt100 and log in to any host connected to your
ethernet network.  The host you connect into does not have to be an NFS
server, but may be.  You'll also get FTP software for performing file
transfer with hosts on the network that don't run NFS.

Another Telnet program is available for zero cost from the University of
Illinois' National Center for Supercomputer Applications (NCSA).  This
program (called NCSA/Telnet) provides a better user interface and allows
multiple concurrent sessions, but can be hard to read on monochrome monitors
which emulate color monitors (like our NEC Monograph) and they have yet to
install the workaround for a hardware bug in the 3COM 3C501 card when used
with AT class machines.  Sun's PC/NFS is originally based on MIT's PC/IP
software which had this workaround years ago.  The bug only seems to appear
when performing file transfers on files over 40K, either with the "ftp" program,
or the "ftp" server option of the "telnet" program.

We've also tried the PC/IP software from MIT.  Their Telnet program emulates a
Heath h19, but works fine.  It also provides an "lpr" program that allows
PC's to submit entries to a UNIX host's printer queue.  The major drawback is
that the PC must be added to the "/etc/hosts.equiv" file, which can be a
potential security hazard.

In contrast, PC/NFS gives you a C program called "pcnfsd" that runs on a UNIX
host and spools PC printer requests and submits the file to the UNIX printer
queue when the PC user: 1) exits the PC application, 2) presses the defined
"hot-key" (we use ALT-P), 3) after five minutes, or 4) enters the "net print"
command.  I wish the timeout of five minutes was configurable.

I like the PC/NFS software for it's disk and printer sharing capabilities,
but have found that I could only export entire file systems instead of
individual directories (had to export /usr instead of just /usr/tmp).  I'm
not yet sure if this is a Sun or Sequent problem.  Backing up PC's local hard
disks is a lot easier now.  No more funny games getting files from the PC
printed on printers which are connected to the Sequent.

If you have access to the Internet, you can download NCSA/TELNET via
anonymous ftp from ftp.ncsa.uiuc.edu.  If you don't, I'll consider writing a
diskette for you, if you'll send the diskette and pay postage both ways.
Send email first.


	Patrick Wolfe (pwolfe@kai.com, kailand!pwolfe)