Ref: 99980023
Title: Information on the PCS/1
Date: 1/1/88

Copyright 3Com Corporation, 1991.  All rights reserved.

NEW PRODUCTS -- PCS/1

The Personal Communications Server/1 (PCS/1) represents an
important advance in the evolution of Personal Computer (PC)
Local Area Network (LAN) products.

Products from PC LAN vendors provide a mechanism to share disks
and printers among a small group of PC users, while general
purpose LAN vendors provide terminal emulation products for PC
LAN users.  Although EtherTerm is unique in combining terminal
emulation with PC file service, the PCS/1 is revolutionary in
providing a complete and powerful set of general purpose LAN
services with the added ability to simultaneously participate in
almost any PC LAN system, including 3Com or Novell networks.  The
advanced features of the PCS/1 integrate IBM and IBM-compatible
personal computers into a corporate LAN environment so that PC
users can access the entire spectrum of resources and services
available on a local area network.  The PCS/1 unlocks the time
and effort saving capabilities that LAN technology makes
available to personal computer users, such as file sharing,
printer sharing, electronic mail, and minicomputer and mainframe
communications.  In this sense, the PCS/1 brings PC networking
into the corporate LAN environment, where the PC can be used to
its fullest extent.

About the PCS/1

The PCS/1 offers a complete set of local area networking services
for the personal computer.  Some services are available directly
to the PC user, while other services are available to PC
application software that operates over the LAN.  The PCS/1
provides basic asynchronous terminal access to minicomputers and
mainframe hosts, but it also provides:

.br;*  File transfer capabilities
.br;*  PC 3270 emulation
.br;*  LAN network operating system compatibility
.br;*  NETBIOS support.

The PCS/1 is made up of the ILANA hardware (see article titled
"Intelligent LAN Adapter Card) and a variety of software pieces.
This allows the customer to choose only those capabilities
required for his specific application.  The basic PCS/1 system
comprises an ILANA board and the PCS/1 Software Engine.  The
Software Engine includes the TCP/IP protocols, Telnet and client
FTP; a simple asynchronous terminal emulator; and the PCS/1
network management software.  The memory-resident portion of the
PCS/1 requires only 52 kilobytes (KB) of DOS RAM.  Optional PCS/1
software includes PCSVT, a VT52/VT100 terminal emulator; PCS3270,
a PC 3270 emulation package; and PCS NETBIOS, NETBIOS emulation
software.

The main features of the PCS/1 are:

.br;*   Multiple Session Support of the PC
.br;*   Multiple High-Performance File Transfer Capability
.br;*   PC 3270 Emulation with File Transfer
.br;*   Complete (NETBIOS) Interface
.br;*   3Com/Novell Compatibility and Integration
.br;*   Participation in Bridge Network Management
.br;*   High-Performance Architecture
.br;*   Protocol Processing Offloaded from PC

APPLICATION SOFTWARE

The second component of PCS/1 software is the application
software, which performs the actual presentation of PCS/1
services to the PC user.  The PCS/1 application software is the
portion of software most visible to the user, and has been
covered thoroughly earlier in this article.

All application software provided by Bridge, except the PCS/1
VT100 emulator, allows an escape to DOS with a single keystroke
(ALT-D) and can be terminated with a single keystroke (ALT-X).
Name service uses IEN116, as with other Bridge TCP/IP products.

ASYNCHRONOUS TERMINAL SERVICE

The PCS/1 lets PC users communicate with asyncrhonous devices
through the network, including minicomputers, mainframes, modems,
and printers.  The standard PCS/1 TTY-terminal emulation program
offers the simplest way to use this service, but more
sophisticated, terminal-emulation software offering DEC, HP,
TeleVideo, and other terminal emulations is also available.  Well-
known terminal emulators such as Persoft's SmarTerm product
family; Walker Richer & Quinn's Reflections Series; or
Softronics's SoftTerm PC all work with the PCS/1 asynchronous
terminal service, letting the customer choose the terminal
emulation software that meets their special needs and
requirements.  Best of all, the PCS/1 asynchronous terminal
service allows up to eight concurrent connections.

The PCS/1 Software Engine includes two versions of a simple
asynchronous terminal emulator.  One version, CONNECT, is invoked
from DOS and provides a user interface similar to the standard
Bridge user interface.  The user can establish multiple
connections, switch between sessions, and terminate connections
using the normal CS/1-type commands.  Sessions are maintained
even if the terminal emulator is terminated.  Restarting this
terminal emulator or a third-party terminal emulator returns the
user to exactly where he/she left off.  The other simple
asynchronous terminal emulator version, TTY, is invoked from a
windowing package such as Microsoft's Windows, IBM's Topview, or
Quarterdeck's Desqview.  TTY supports a single session, with
multiple sessions provided by invoking the emulator multiple
times (one connection in each window).  The advantage of using a
windowed environment is that it allows multiple sessions to
exist simultaneously.  Thus, the user can be, in effect, working
on two or mote hosts simultaneously.  In addition, other
appliations can be running in other windows on the user's screen.

Bridge also provides an optional VT52/VT100 terminal emulator for
the PCS/1, called PCSVT.  This terminal emulator offers a menu-
driven user interface, script capabilities, and text and XMODEM
file transfer protocols.  PCSVT runs under PC/MS-DOS, supports a
single session at a time, and is similar to EtherTerm.  It is
primarily intended to provide current EtherTerm users with a
familiar user interface and compatible scripting capability on
the PCS/1.  PCSVT will run in a Desqview window but has not been
written to run in a Microsoft Windows or Topview environment.

The PCS/1 also allows other terminal emulators to use the
asynchronous terminal service through the Bridge Application
Program Interface (BAPI), and extended version of the EtherTerm
Interrupt 14H Emulation.  Terminal emulators that have been
modified for use with EtherTerm will also work with the PCS/1.  A
user of a third party emulator will see the CS/1-like user
interface mentioned above, and will be able to establish multiple
sessions as well.  The script and file transfer capabilities or
terminal emulation software for the PC are also compatible with
the PCS/1.  Scripts can be written that use the CS/1-like user
interface to establish sessions, automating the connection
process.  Files can be exchanged between the PC and department or
corporate computers using industry standard asynchronous file
transfer protocols, such as XMODEM and KERMIT.  Information
available from many resources within a corporation can be
transferred to the PC, so that it can be manipulated and analyzed
or stored for future reference.  PCSVT and these third-party
emulators have been designed to be run under PC/MS-DOS.  They
will run in Desqview window but have not been written to run in a
Microsoft Windows or Topview environment.

The Bridge Application Program Interface lets customers develop
special applications that communicate with asynchronous devices
on the LAN to address their individual requirements.  Fully
documented in the PCS/1 manual, it allows custom applications to
be written to work with the PCS/1 so that the customer's special
communication requirements can be integrated into the LAN
environment.

PC 3270 Emulation Service

The power of the PCS/1 lies in its ability to offer increased
flexibility to PC users, allowing them to adapt the PC to the way
they work.  When access to IBM mainframes is needed, PCS/1
provides an optional PC 3270 emulator, PCS3270, that lets the PC
work like the IBM PC/3270 without installing special 3270
hardware in the PC.  Complete IBM 3278 Model 2 and 3279 Model S2A
or S2B display station emulation along with PC/3270 File Transfer
are standard features of PCS3270.

The PCS/1 PC 3270 emulation service includes IRMA keyboard
mapping and light-pen support.  IBM file transfer is performed
with mainframes running VM/CMS, TSO, or CICS by using the
standard IBM 3270-PC file transfer program for the appropriate
operating environment.  Working in conjunction with the Bridge CS/
1-SNA-T host interface, the PC 3270 emulation service lets the PC
user access and exchange information in an IBM environment over
the local area network.  Bridge can provide extended features
through the NETBIOS emulation service.

The PCS/1 PC 3270 emulation product runs from PC/MS-DOS.  It
provides a single session with the IBM mainframe; multiple
sessions are possible by escaping to DOS and invoking another
copy of the PCS/1 PC 3270 emulation program, or by running
PCS3270 in a Desqview (only) environment.

TCP/IP FILE TRANSFER SERVICE

In addition to the file transfer capability available in the
asynchronous terminal service and the PC 3270 emulation service,
the PCS/1 offers TCP/IP file transfer service as part of its
Software Engine.  Based on the standard File Transfer Protocol
(FTP) specification, it lets the PC user transfer both binary and
text files to and from any host computer with server FTP support,
including computers running UNIX 4.X BSD or IBM TCP/IP under VM.
The PCS/1 file transfer service provides a user interface similar
to other popular implementations of FTP.  An important feature of
the Bridge FTP product is its ability to run in a windowed
environment with one FTP session per window on the user's screen.
In fact, one or more FTP file transfers can be initiated in a
windowed environment, and they will execute simultaneously, even
while the user is working in another window.

NETBIOS EMULATION SERVICE

The PCS/1 offers an optional NETBIOS emulation capability that
lets NETBIOS-compatible applications use the power of the PCS/1
to perform network communications.  Bridge has tested and
verified the compatibility of the major NETBIOS compatible
products available today.  The NETBIOS interface requires only 10
KB of DOS RAM.

With NETBIOS emulation server, application software written for
NETBIOS can communication over the local area network and work in
conjunction with other PCS/1 services such as the asynchronous
terminal service or file transfer service.  The user can run a
windowed PC 3270 emulation program (such as CXI's PCO/3270
Windowing) and have an asynchronous terminal session in one
window, a 3270 session in another window, and an FTP file
transfer session in a third window.  Or, a user can have IBM's PC
LAN Program running and FTP a file from a VAX directly to the
file server.

NETWORKING OPERATING SYSTEM SUPPORT

The most powerful feature of the PCS/1 is its ability to allow
3COM's 3Plus, Novell's Netware and Netware 286, IBM's PC LAN
Program, or Torus' Tapestry software to operate with it.
Flexibility is built into the PCS/1 to allow the customer to
choose the Network Operating System that best suits his
requirements for file sharing, printer sharing, or electronic
mail.  The PCS/1 integrates PC LAN and General Purpose LAN
capabilities into a single, powerful solution for the desktop
workstation.  Departmental LANs can be combined and integrated in
the corporate LAN environment, providing full access to the
entire set of LAN resources.  Whether a PC user wants to transfer
a file from a minicomputer on the LAN and print it on a printer
server; run an application stored on a file server that uses the
PCS/1 asynchronous terminal service to communicate with a host
computer; or access an IBM mainframe and transfer a file directly
from the IBM host to a file server, the PCS/1 can handle the
task.

PCS/1 NETWORK MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Another extremely important feature of the PCS/1 is participation
in Bridge network management.  The PCS/1 sends audit-trail
information about all TCP/IP and NETBIOS activity to the Network
Control Server.  Full participation in the network map,
statistics, and network names is also provided.  Network
management is a standard feature of the PCS/1 as part of the
PCS/1 Software Engine.  An application program, PCSMGR, is
supplied to allow the use to view names, the network map, and
ILANA statistics as well as set internet addresses for the
primary and secondary name server, default gateway, and audit
trail server.

PCS/1 SOFTWARE INSTALLATION

PCS/1 installation is very simple.  Provided with each PCS/1
software product, including the optional software, is a setup
program (called SETUP) that automatically copies the PCS/1
software and modifies (or creates) the necessary DOS startup
files (CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT).  Reboot the PC and you are
off and running.

PCS/1 HARDWARE

The PCS/1 takes advantage of the Bridge Communications high-
performance Intelligent LAN Adapter (ILANA).  The ILANA works as
a front-end processor for the PC, off loading data communications
processing from the PC.  The ILANA is the most powerful network
adapter card on the market today.  The large memory space and
shared memory area of the ILANA board makes it possible for the
PCS/1 to run all of the communications software on the board
instead of the PC.

The ILANA is available in both a PC/ATbus (PC/AT, PC/XT/286)
version or a PC/XT bus (PC/AT, PC XT/286, or PC/XT) version.
The ILANA/AT provides direct attachment to an Ethernet or Bridge
Broadband local area network and the ILANA/XT offers direct
attachment to an Ethernet or thin Ethernet local area network.
Both versions include on-board power-up diagnostics that certify
the proper operation of critical components during
initialization.

The PCS/1 is conveniently packaged to allow the user to choose
only the services that he needs.  The PCS/1 is available in
either the PC/AT or PC/XT versions with a choice of media for
each.  Optional services may be conveniently added to implement
individual LAN solutions.

PCS/1 VT Emulator

DEC VT100 terminal emulator for the PCS/1 asynchronous terminal
service.  Complete with VT52, VT100 terminal emulation, menu-
driven user interface, and script capability. Includes
documentation.

PCS/1 PC 3270 Emulator

Allows the PCS/1 to emulate a PC 2370.  Includes 3278/3279
display station emulation and IBM file transfer.  Documentation
included.

PCS/1 SOFTWARE ENGINE

The PCS/1 Software Engine is the core of a PCS/1.  Includes
asynchronous terminal service (Telnet), File Transfer service
(FTP), Network Operating System Support, Bridge Network
Management service, and documentation.  The complete TCP/IP
protocol set with TCP, IP, UDP and ARP is also provided.

INTELLIGENT LAN ADAPTER

The ILANA network front-end processor, diagnostic diskette, and
documentation.

.br;ILANA-AT-E
.br;ILANA/AT for Ethernet and documentation

.br;ILANA-AT-BB
.br;ILANA/AT for Bridge and documentation

.br;ILANA-XT-E
.br;ILANA/ST for Ethernet and documentation

.br;ILANA-XT-TE
.br;ILANA/XT for thin Ethernet and documentation.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

802.3 transeivers must be used for Ethernet versions of the ILANA
board (heartbeat does not matter).  The broadband version of the
ILANA/AT board requires an RFM/5 broadband modem and broadband
modem cable.











