By network services software we mean the basic TCP/IP stack and applications like electronic mail, Web browser, telnet, tn3270, ftp, netnews browser, etc. We currently support the Macintosh and MS-Windows 3.1 environments. Access from MS-DOS is non-strategic and less resources have been applied to this environment.
The following table summarizes which software is being distributed for start of fall 1995:
Software Windows 3.1 MacOS 7.* PC DOS 6.*
TCP/IP stack LWP 4.2 MacTCP 2.0.6 LWP 4.2
PPP dial in software LWP 4.2 MacPPP 2.0.1 LWP 4.2
E-Mail ECSMail 2.4 Eudora 1.4.1 PC Pine 3.9.1
WWW Browser Netscape 1.1 Netscape 1.1
Virtual terminal LWP Host NCSA Telnet 2.6
Presenter
Virtual terminal IBM LWP tn3270 Brown tn3270
mainframe 2.4a4
FTP file transfer LWP Rapid Filer NCSA Telnet 2.6
Electronic Mail software is dealt with in a separate section. Other network services applications are covered below:
Windows 3.1
For a TCP/IP stack in the Windows 3.1 environment, we currently provide LWP 4.2. This includes a TCP/IP stack, PPP software, a telnet client (Host Presenter), a 3270 client (tn3270), and a graphical interface FTP client (Rapid Filer). For PPP we provide a script for connecting to UTORdial. The PPP script will be updated to reflect changes in the UTORdial service; existing users will have obtain and start using the new script.
We are very much aware that Windows 95 is scheduled to come out August 24. This does not leave enough time to evaluate, test our supported products with it, train support staff, etc. We will not support Windows 95 in the fall of 1995; the Workgroup Technology Group, which is charged with coordinating support for Windows 95 will likely provide initial support for Windows 95 sometime after January 1996. We already know that LWP 4.2 will not work with Windows 95; LWP 5.0 is expected to work with Windows 95, but we don't have a copy yet. The TCP/IP stack that comes with Windows 95 presents problems for us, including its lack of scripting for PPP connection. Tearing out the Windows 95 TCP/IP stack and installing LWP 5.0 is not for the faint of heart. In any case, we haven't starting testing LWP 5.0 yet. In short, we cannot support TCP/IP and network services applications in the Windows 95 environment in the fall of 1995.
We currently distribute Netscape 1.0. We decided to hold off on upgrading to Netscape 1.1 because of concerns over OLE2 and WIN32S. Netscape updates OLE2, a core Windows 3.1 system component that many other applications use. Netscape requires that WIN32S be up to date if it is present; WIN32S is a component which comes with some applications like SAS and SPSS. These concerns were addressed and we will start distributing Netscape 1.1 as soon as possible. The Network Services group, which provides technical support for Netscape, had a meeting with Information Common support staff at which support issues were ironed out. Our existing pamphlet is being updated to reflect changes from Netscape 1.0 to 1.1. The Windows Netscape 1.1 includes a helper application for sound, which we will also distribute.
The Network Services Group looked into buying support for Netscape. For Windows, we have decided to obtain support through our existing LWP license from Novell.
Work selecting a Windows netnews program was completed. We commenced work to document, bundle, and prepare support staff. However, due to other scheduled work, we have decided not to distribute a netnews program for the start of fall. After the start of the fall term we will try to raise the priority of this task. In the meantime, users can continue to use Netscape with the UTORnews institutional netnews server; although news reading features are improved with version 1.1 we recognize that Netscape is only suitable for casual netnews users.
MacOS 7.*
We currently distribute MacTCP 1.1.1. If Macintosh MacOS 7.5 is installed, then it comes with MacTCP 2.4. Those who install MacOS 7.5 Update 4.2 will get MacTCP 2.0.6. We will start distributing MacTCP 2.6 immediately. The Network Services group, in a recent talk with the Information Common user support staff, discussed Netscape problems which can be corrected by telling individuals to upgrade to MacTCP 2.0.6. Otherwise we have no immediate plans to encourage people using MacTCP 1.1.1 to upgrade. User support will continue to be available for all versions of MacTCP from 1.1.1 to 2.0.6.
This year Apple will begin the transition to Open Transport, a replacement for AppleTalk and MacTCP. The "Network", "MacTCP", and "Admin TCP" control panels are replaced, as are parts of the Communications Manager. Apple intends to provide Point to Point Protocol (PPP) and Netware (NCP/IPX) as part of Open Transport, but only over time. To use Open Transport requires a minimum of 68030 or 68040 processor with 5 MB of memory (8 MB recommended) or PowerPC with 8 MB of memory (12 MB recommended.) There are many advantages to this new software, including simplified configuration, better performance, and support of new features like MBone clients.
Open Transport V1.0 has been released, but is only intended for use with the Power Macintosh 9500, a new computer incorporating an industry standard PCI bus, in place of the traditional Macintosh NuBus. Version 1.1, expected in the second half of 1995, is intended for other models (i.e. the NuBus ones) of Mactinosh meeting the minimum requirements. (The University of Toronto's MacTCP license will automatically turn into an Open Transport license.) Unfortunately, MacTCP will not work on a PCI bus equipped Macintosh. Hence it will not work with the Power Macintosh 9500, or other PCI-based models Apple is expected to release shortly. The Network Services group will work with other groups to test supported network services applications with Open Transport, probably sometime late in the fourth quarter of 1995 or first quarter of 1996; we will be under some pressure to prepare a strategy for migration because the next MacOS release, in 1996, will include Open Transport and not MacTCP. Until then, we do not support Open Transport. In the meantime, since only Open Transport works with a Power Macintosh 9500 (or new PCI models about to be announced) we cannot properly support the Power Macintosh 9500--customers should be referred to Apple for assistance. (We are already aware that there are problems with Open Transport V1.0 and MacPPP 2.1--Apple is providing customers who purchase a 9500 with patches and specific instructions.) Fortunately, the Power Macintosh 9500 and other PCI models about to be introduced is a high end machine that few individuals will be able to afford.
We currently distribute MacPPP 2.0.1, a freeware package which adds PPP functionality to MacTCP. Recently, Steve Dagley modified MacPPP to support higher port speeds possible on GeoPort-equipped Macs and to fix some problems associated with Open Transport; this version is MacPPP 2.1.1SD. A new version of MacPPP is expected shortly. We have decided to continue with MacPPP 2.0.1 for this fall.
For diagnosing problems, we will distribute the MacPing utility that comes with Apple's MacTCP. Formerly, we gave the Peter Lewis "MacTCP Watcher" to some people who were having problems. However, MacTCP Watcher provides information that is difficult for users to interpret, is known to put incorrect information, and will not work with Open Transport. We will not be distributing MacTCP Watcher generally, however, technical staff may provide it to some people having problems.
For Web browsing we currently distribute Netscape 1.0. We will start distributing Netscape 1.1 immediately. The Network Services group, which provides technical support for Netscape, had a meeting with Information Common support staff at which support issues were ironed out. Our existing pamphlet is being updated to reflect changes from Netscape 1.0 to 1.1. In conjunction with the Macintosh Netscape, we will distribute two helper applications, Sound Machine 2.1 and Stuffit Expander 3.5.1. Note that Netscape requires MacOS 7; we do not support versions of the Macintosh operating system older than version 7.0. (The electronic mail package we support, Eudora 1.4.1 also requires MacOS 7.)
For transferring files from servers to the Macintosh we recommend Netscape be used. For transferring many files, or for transferring files from the Macintosh to another computer, we would like to support Dartmouth College Fetch 2.1.2. Our experience with users who use Fetch is that there is some confusion created by the fact that Macintosh files are unlike those of any other system. We need to iron out the support issues involved. In the meantime, we do not intend to generally distribute Fetch this fall. Files can be transferred to and from the Macintosh using NCSA Telnet, which will be distributed and supported.
The work to select a Macintosh netnews program is done. We still need to put together a pamphlet, software bundle, and prepare support staff. Due to other work, we have we have temporarily suspended this work, and decided not to distribute a netnews program for the start of fall. In the meantime, Netscape can be used to read news with the UTORnews institutional netnews server, although we recognize that this is not a suitable solution for more than casual usage.
PC DOS
PC DOS is not a strategic system, and less time is spent on it than on the environments described above. Currently we distribute a freeware MIT TCP/IP stack for those using PC DOS. We went with this choice in fall 1994 because the Lan Workplace for DOS (LWP) DOS PPP did not work. Novell has now fixed this problem. For fall 1995, we will start distributing LWP 4.2 for the DOS environment. This will require that a PPP script be written, and a package re-bundled.
We currently distribute PC Pine 3.89 intended for use with the MIT TCP/IP stack. To use the LWP TCP/IP stack requires a different EXE (binary) file. Since we have to change the binary file anyway, we will be upgrading to PC Pine 3.91 intended for use with the LWP TCP/IP stack. This will require testing for upwards compatibility, re-bundling, and some user support re-training because the user interface has changed in minor ways.
We do not currently provide any other network services applications for the PC DOS environment. It is our intention, time permitting, to provide PC Lynx.; those using PC DOS who need a Web browser should use Procomm to connect to the Library UTLINK system instead. We can also provide, time permitting, the LWP telnet and ftp tools. However, for the fall 1995 time frame we do not intend to provide other PC DOS tools.