STEbus modem for remote applications

Industrial discless network In recent years great strides have been made in industrializing personal computers; yet, despite these efforts, the disc drives found on most PCs remain vulnerable to the dirt, temperature extremes and vibrations found in many factories. Engineers at Allen-Bradley, however, have found a way to combine their Personal Computer (PC) network, VistaLAN/ PC, with their 6122 Industrial Computer, to create a discless factory-floor workstation. In addition to making the workstation discless, this arrangement enables office systems to retrieve data directly from the factory floor. For example, a database residing outside the factory area in the VistaLAN/PC file server can receive production data from factory equipment. This 'fresh' data can then be used by the order entry clerk or the production supervisor to write reports or check inventory. The key to making the 6122 discless is the VistaLAN/PC Boot ROM option. AVistaLAN/PC network interface card enables the 6122 industrial computer to obtain its programmes and store its processed data on the hard disc located in the VistaLAN/PC file server. The VistaLAN/PC file server is another workstation having a key card and Advanced Netware operating system software. In addition, multi-user software packages can be used to grant many departments immediate access to factory-floor data; and because workstations can be linked with mainframe computers, an MIS department can have access to timely production information. Yet, while connectivity is widely available, the VistaLAN/PC network protects valuable information with multiple levels of security. (Allen-Bradley

Industrial Automation Products, Denbigh Road, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK1 1EP, UK. Tel: (0908) 71144; Telex: 82396; Fax: (0908) 368648) []

vol 11 no 1 february 1988

STEbus modem for remote applications One of the first STEbus-compatible modems has been launched by British Telecom Microprocessor Systems, providing systems designers with a means of building remote STEbus control and instrumentation systems capable of communications over the public switched telephone network. The modem operates to V.21 or V.23 standards and has built-in intelligence, allowing control by a high level Hayes-compatible command protocol. The modem, designated 4300, comes on a single-Eurocard formfactor, integrated with a BT603A line connector inside a small shielded enclosure to conform to BAPT requirements. LED indicators and loudspeaker for line monitoring are also included in the package. In addition to the standard V.21, V.23 communication capability (300/ 300 or 1200/75 baud transmit/

receive data-rates respectively), the 4400 can switch under software command to a 75/1200 baud configuration for high-speed bidirectional data transmission. A further software-selectable option provides a back channel of 150 baud for use on leased phone lines. The high-level command set includes control over a wide range of modem functions including dialling, answering, operating mode, line monitoring, transmit carrier, console echo, loopback, reset, ID request and status codes. The 4300 STEbus modem is currently undergoing the BABT approval procedure. It is available now in sample form for evaluation and development purposes; BABT-approved versions should be available early in the new year. (British Telecom Micro-

processor Systems, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich IP5 7RE, UK) []

Additions to Unix-based superminicomputer's range NCR have announced three additions to their range of products for the Tower family of Unix-based superminicomputers. The additions include an LPI-Pascal compiler, an SNA Communications Network Management system and an SNA Software Distribution communications package. The LPI-Pascal compiler is compatible with all of the LPI family of compilers and provides Tower programmers with interprogram communication between subprograms written in Pascal and any other LPI language. LPI-Pascal is an implementation of the ANSI and ISO Level 0 Pascal language. It is based on 'Component Architecture' which segments the functions of a compiler into discrete components. NCR SNA Communications Network Management (CNM) provides advanced network manage-

ment functions for NCR Tower Unix systems in SNA/X.25 networks. Together with the Communications Network Management Application (CNMA) package CNM provides the ability to process SNA Request for Maintenance Statistics from the host, and reply with Record Formatted Maintenance Statistics from response units. CNM resides in a Tower system as an SNA application, and combines with CNMA, which operates as an extension of the IBM Network Communication Control Facility (NCCF) network management product. CNM's primary areas of functionality include Remote Operator Console, Cluster Problem Determination, Cluster Performance Monitoring, Alert Handling and Local Area Management. (NCR Ltd., 206 Marylebone Road, London NWl 6LY,

UK. Tel: 01-724 4050)

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