DS007 - Connectivity products: OmniClient

Introduction

At last you can use any Acorn RISC computer to access files and printers on a wide range of different kinds of computers connected to an Ethernet network. ANT OmniClient¨ allows Acorn, IBM PC-compatible, Macintosh and Unix network file servers and printers to be accessed from the RISC OS Desktop through a single icon.

Consistent view of all file servers

OmniClient¨ provides a simple and consistent view of network services, irrespective of the type of file server or network protocol used. Networks of mixed computers are increasingly common and certain to become more so.

For the first time, users do not need to understand anything about how network resources are provided - they only need to know a name for the server or printer they require, to choose it with the mouse. Login is via a simple, standard dialogue box and pre-defined logins stored for each user. OmniClient¨ has been designed with ease of use and simple management as the most important criteria.

Security and updating

Of course, security is a particularly important part of any network, and OmniClient¨ enforces the full security offered by each system to which it connects.

OmniClient's modular construction allows new types of file server to be supported in future without any changes to existing setups: room for growth in the fast-changing networking market.

Servers supported

OmniClient¨ already supports the following types of file server and printer:

Acorn AUN Level 4
Acorn Access
Acorn Access Plus
ANT RemoteFS
Sun MicrosystemsÕ NFS
Microsoft LAN Manager
Microsoft Windows for Workgroups
Microsoft Windows NT
IBM LAN Server

Optional support for the following types of server is due to become available during 1995:

Research Machines NetLM
Novell Netware
Novell Netware Lite, Personal Netware
Apple EtherTalk

How does it work?

The core OmniClient¨ software provides the basic Desktop filer functions. Optional software to support each of the types of file server noted above is loaded separately in 'Protocol modules'. This allows RAM requirements to be minimised by customising which protocol modules are loaded according to the types of servers present on the network. Protocol modules are supplied for all Acorn protocols in common use, including AUN Level 4, Acorn Access and Sun NFS. Optional protocol modules include those for connecting to Microsoft, IBM, Apple, Novell and Research Machines systems. These may be purchased separately and loaded selectively. User interface

OmniClient¨ appears at the RISC OS Desktop as a single filer icon on the left-hand side of the icon bar. A single click on the OmniClient¨ icon displays all the file servers which it can detect on the network using the protocol modules installed.

Users can select a file server in a number of ways:

By clicking on a named server icon
By choosing from a menu
By entering the details of the server manually

Importantly, it is not necessary for the user to know what kind of fileserver they are using, nor where it is located on the network, only what name it has been given. Once a file server is selected the user must 'login' with a valid username and password before they can gain access to any files.

Most file servers can export files with read-only or read/write privileges, so the user can be prevented from altering data, as well as excluded by password protection.

Printing

OmniClient¨ extends the network printing capabilities of the !Printers program supplied with RISC OS and allows printers attached to all types of server supported by it to be reached by the user, security settings permitting. To enable printing using OmniClient¨ a single change is made to !Printers from the desktop and the new configuration saved, whereupon printing is directed to the chosen printer - it couldn't be simpler.

Technical information

The OmniClient¨ suite consists of a filer front-end and a series of protocol modules (RMs) which deal with the various types of server supported. This approach allows the range of server types to be extended at any time and ensures that it is easy to add extra protocols as and when you need them. You need only ever buy the protocols which you need for your network.

Installing OmniClient¨

The OmniClient¨ core will be supplied as a boot ROM or disc for Ethernet NICs. A minimal set of protocol modules for pre-existing Acorn networking protocols is supplied as standard: further protocols can then be added either from disc or by upgrading the set of protocols programmed into the ROM.

Although the OmniClient¨ core and minimal protocol set provides facilities far in advance of existing Acorn network software, it requires no more memory than the existing NetFS/ShareFS/NFS stacks for RISC OS. This is because it combines so much functionality within a single core, rather than separately for each type of server supported.

Hardware requirements

To install and use OmniClient¨ you will need an Acorn RISC OS computer fitted with an Ethernet interface card or NIC whose driver software complies with Acorn's DCI Rev. 4. All cards sold by major suppliers are either already suitable, or can easily be upgraded when adding OmniClient¨. Please check with ANT if you have any queries about your cards.

Services provided by OmniClient¨

The OmniClient¨ application provides the following services:

List all file servers and mounts
Show a menu of 'known' file servers and mounts
Log in to servers via a simple, standard dialogue box
Place an icon on the icon bar for each active mount
Open root of mount
Give free space for mount
Get information about mount
Dismount the mount
Save the mount information in a file

Availability

OmniClient¨ will be available in the fourth quarter 1995 from ANT Ltd and from Acorn, both as an upgrade to existing network software and for new users. Pricing details will be announced at this time.

Site licences

Most purchasers of OmniClient¨ will be seeking site licences and the pricing structure will reflect this. Contact us for more details.