British consortium develop LAN

Ship-to-shore link via satellite Landbound computer systems can now maintain closer links with seaborne counterparts via a teleprocessing network that provides management both on and offshore with better information about their operations. The facility allows ships at sea to access Geisco's global network through satellite links provided by Inmarsat, the International Maritime Satellite Organization, in conjunction with national telecommunications authorities. Demand for the facility has been created now that most new vessels are being fitted with satellite communications equipment. Also the growing number of microcomputers on board will need to corn-

municate with computers onshore as the more progressive operators integrate ship- and shore-based systems to gain better management control. Once a radio operator has contacted a maritime coast earth station, it is possible to dial direct into the Geisco network. Ships can then maintain links with onshore computer systems, allowing them, for example, to access or update central databases. In the past, management systems used at sea have usually been isolated from computers at a shipping company's headquarters. (Geisco Ltd., 25-29

High Street, Kingston-uponThames, Surrey KT1 1LN, UK. Tel: 01-546 1077) []

British consortium develop LAN A networking system claimed to be more advanced than any other I_AN currently on the market has been developed by a consortium of four British high technology companies: Casu Electronics, DPML Systems, Insight Terminals and SPL International. Deep/Net comprises 16-bit, Intel iAPX 186 based workstations, high capacity mass storage and tape backup units, as well as a number of communications facilities. Special features include a network speed of 2.5 Mbit/s, electronic mail and a fully integrated multiline telex message switch capable of handling 20 or more telex lines. Deep/Net is compatible with a variety of computer equipment, including ICL CO3 mainframes, the IBM PC and Casu's Micro PX. Optional battery backup is provided for workstations and file servers. The basic workstation incorporates a 16-bit, Intel iAPX 186 processor based CPU with 256 kbyte RAM expandable to 1 Mbyte. The CPU is integrated with a bit-

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mapped, medium resolution visual display unit. Deep/Net's main storage module contains an iAPX 186 CPU having 5 1 2 k b y t e RAM, a real-time clock, a high speed Whitney technology 51/4in Winchester disc with 67-380 Mbyte capacity, and a 1 6 0 M b y t e 9-track tape back-up unit. Several Winchesters can be used if required to provide increased capacity, or 'mirroring' in applications requiring extra security. The network medium is coaxial cable and the Arcnet token-passing protocol provides a transmission capacity of 2.5 Mbit/s. Up to 255 workstations and file servers can be attached to the network. The software is Digital Research's multitasking Concurrent CP/M 3.1, which enables four tasks to be performed simultaneously on a workstation, the tasks being viewed through screen 'windows'. One or more of these can be full emulation of IBM PC DOS. (Dan Bogard &

Associates, 201 Uxbridge Road, Hanwell, London W7 3TH, UK. Tel: 01-579 7150/7301) []

PC network from Sperry Sperry has announced its Usernet system, a baseband personal computer network, as its entry into the PC network arena. The system operates at 1 Mbit/s and provides a personal computer level, multistation environment with data-server and print-server capabilities, as well as file lock-out and protection schemes. The system uses a Sperry Personal Computer as a data/print server for monitoring the network's workstations and acting as the central storage device of data and applications programs. Usernet is intended for those who need to share hardware, software and data files within a local network of PCs. Sperry Personal Computers, as well as other MS/ DOS compatible models, may be incorporated as part of the network. The system allows the interconnection of PC workstations and the data/print server by means of twisted pair cable with simple plugin connections, which can be installed by the user. A bus topology is used, and connected workstations may be up to 1 220 m apart. A choice is offered of two centralized data/print servers, the DS 100 and the DS 120. Up to 63 physically addressable desktop workstations can be configured in an I/O-intensive environment without appreciable degradation in system response time. The DS 100 provides 10 Mbyte of shared data storage, while the DS 120 provides 3 0 M b y t e or 6 0 M b y t e of mass storage. To ensure security and integrity of data, the system includes password protection and four levels of security. There are also file and data sharing facilities and synchronization of user requests.

(Sperry Limited Computer Systems, Sperry Centre, Stonebridge Park, London NW10 8LS, UK. Tel: (01-965 0511, Telex: 8951141) I"3

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