The INFONET package provides seamless integration between increasingly popular Windows ’95 PC Workstations and INFONETICS UNIX-based accounting software system . The package consists of three critical components; Windows ’95 TCP/IP ethernet networking for high-speed connectivity, TinyTERM for sophisticated terminal emulation, and Networked File System (NFS) support.
TRANSMISSION CONTROL PROTOCOL/INTERNET PROTOCOL (TCP/IP) & ETHERNET
Microsoft’s TCP/IP ethernet networking protocol, included as part of Windows’95, provides for high-speed networking between computers using THE established UNIX connectivity standard; TCP/IP & Ethernet. Operating hundred of times faster than serial communications using RS-232 cabling, terminal data is displayed faster, and files are served faster and more reliably.
TINYTERM TERMINAL EMULATION
Century Software’s TinyTERM terminal emulator program is the basis for access to INFONETICS custom UNIX-based accounting software from a Windows’95, based PC/ Workstation. Simply double-click the mouse/trackball on one of the five available INFONETICS #1…5 icons to launch a full-featured terminal login session. Proceed to login, and perform all typical INFONETICS software functions as if your were using a dumb terminal. Enter data, run reports, even print to any printer or the workstations local printer.
Five networked sessions are pre-configured in the INFONET panel for quick access via the ethernet networking card. Due to the high speed of the ethernet network, these connections provide dramatically increased screen display speeds over even the newest of dumb terminals.
Or, a simple direct serial/modem connection can be established via serial RS232 cabling for those installations not running an ethernet network. Four-session “mscreen” capability is supported providing 4 independent login sessions on a single serial port connection. And, of course, the serial port can just as easily be run through a high-speed modem for uncompromising remote terminal access.
TinyTERM can be run either in multiple overlapping windows, or full-screen if desired. When in windowed mode, the sessions can be arranged in an overlapping fashion so that the title bar and portions of each screen are visible at the same time. And, TinyTERM automatically selects an appropriate font for the size of the window. It even switches to a smaller font, and then back again when running wide reports to the screen. When in full-screen mode, the font can be selected and locked in to fill the screen giving a character size significantly larger and easier to read than most dumb terminals.
All function keys are pre-programmed for you to mimic their use on a dumb terminal. And, an auto-login feature can be configured that automatically enters the users login ID and password (encrypted) each time a session is launched. Even the screen colors can be configured for personal preference. An easy on the eye scheme has been pre-programmed with a dark blue background, light blue data entry fields, and a bright yellow field for the current data entry position.
Since TinyTERM is a standard Windows’95 program, all typical cut and paste capabilities are supported. This permits copying data from terminal sessions into your favorite word processing/spreadsheet program, or vice-versa.
NETWORKED FILE SYSTEM (NFS) FILE SERVER
Century Software’s Marathon Network File System (NFS) provides for UNIX based file serving to the PC/Workstations. A common directory/folder is established on the UNIX system, and networked access to it are configured on each PC/Workstation. This permits each Workstation user to store their important PC data files in a shared file server within the UNIX system where it can be automatically backed up each night along with all other important corporate data. The file server also acts as a means of organizing and exchanging files between Workstation users.
INFONETICS “export” feature allows data from its UNIX-based accounting software to export any/all report data directly to the file server for quick and convenient importing into dozens of popular PC/Workstation word processing, spreadsheet and database programs.