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Document:	DEC-VMS-SecivesFor-PC
Order Number:	XX-FFD2B-CA
Revision:	0
Pages:	8
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'VMS Setvices for PCs and DECnet PCSA Client for DOS

Software for Integrating Personal Computers

'VMS Services for PCs software is a DECnet application that enables VAX
and MicroVAX computers to act as application, data, and resource servers to large groups

of personal computers. By using these server systems, personal computers are able to
share applications, data, and resources; access information from remote systems on
the network; and apply that information to industry-standard applications.

VMS Services for PCs, with personal computers and related networking products,
implements Digital’s Personal Computing Systems Architecture (PCSA).

The Personal Computing Systems Architecture is an extension of Digitals systems
and networking architecture, which merges the VMS and DOS environments. PCSA

provides a framework for integrating personal computers into an organization’s total
information system so that different types of users can share information, large system

resources, and network services across the entire enterprise. PCSA offers performance,
integration, network management, security capabilities, and growth potential that

nal
PC LAN.
extend far beyond those of conventio

Any VAX system—anywhere
on the DECnet/OSI network—can
act as a server to any
PC in the network, whether in the same room, same building, same city, or on the other

side of the world.

Highlights
* Truly integrates personal computers into

the departmental and enterprise-wide
computing environment

Provides personal computer users with
direct, system-wide access to informa-

tion and resources
Allows sharing of personal computer
files and applications—even terminal
users can access personal computer files

Provides simplified management of enduser computing, including the ability to

boot PCs over the network
Permits simplified, centralized manage-

ment of personal computing resources—
without sacrificing the benefits of
standalone personal computing
= Enhances organizational and individual
productivity
Accommodates flexible, incremental

The DECstation family ofpowerful, industry-standard personal computers is an extension

growth of PC Local Area Networks

ration products

(LANs)
Minimum of 512 Kbytes memory avail-

More than a PC LAN solution, PCSA

DECnet, Digital’s leadership networking

able to run applications

of fers PC users an enhanced work envi-

software, is the foundation that provides

ronment that encompasses the computing

asingle, complete network from PC to

resources of the entire enterprise.

mainframe. With DECnet, each PC is

PCSA

is based on a “server/client”

model. VMS

Services for PCs, a layered

'VMS and DECnet application, is the

server sofrware. The complementary
software for personal computers is called
dlient software.
The DECnet PCSA

Client for DOS soft-

ware consists of PC networking software,

terminal emulation, a PCMAIL utility,
windowing

software, on-line information,

and DOS utility software. It also supports
the MS-Windows® user interface and
ALLIN-1 Mail. All of these components

make it easy for personal computer users
to take advantage of the network and its
power while using the DOS applications
they are familiar with and receiving the

response at the desktop that they have
come to expect.

treated as a true peer in the network.

Unlike hierarchical PC networking
schemes, a PC in the DECnet network
can communicate directly with any
other system on the local area or wide
area network. No need to route information through costly, performance-robbing
“communications servers” to achieve

network integration.

The Server/Client Relationship

In a server/client relationship, DOS software resides on the VAX or MicroVAX
server and executes on the client per-

sonal computers. This approach allows
one set of operating system, applications,
and data files to be shared by every
client system. And, other systems to
which the server system is networked
can also access the same files.
The server software, VMS Services for

PCs, allows PCs to become part of the
network. The client software, DECnet

PCSA Client for DOS, establishes the
network connection and can reside
entirely on the server, allowing for

VMS Services for PCs software provides:
» High-performance file, disk, and print

services for PCs
= VAX-based management for PC
resources

» Application and information sharing
among PCs—as well as among PCs and
departmental and corporate systems
» Network management and control
services, including optional remote
management of multiple PC LANs

from a single point
'VMS-level security for files and network
services

* Broadcast utility to notify PC users of

important operational events

Because DECnet communications

protocols are used to provide PCSA file
services, client PCs can access files on
servers located anywhere on the DECnet
LAN or WAN (Wide Area Network). The

system administrator can allocate public
and private disk space as needed.
Individual users control which of their
files are accessible by others.
The DOS files residing on the VAX server

are stored as an RMS stream or sequential
fixed-length record (512 Kbytes) VMS
file. Thus, PCSA file services make DOS

files accessible to VMS users and applica-

the PCs to start up from the network

Capability to boot PCs remotely

tions that can interpret the content and

(remote boot).

The components of the DECnet PCSA
Client for DOS software are:

DOS application. Similarly, DOS appli-

Once the network link is established,

the user accesses all files required for
personal computing—including operating system, applications, and data files—
from virtual devices on a server system,
located anywhere on the network. These
DOS applications execute on the PCs
after being loaded in the PC’s RAM. The
virtual drives appear to the user as standard DOS disk drives (I:, J:, etc.).
Using VMS-based server systems in
a DECnet environment, VMS Services
for PCs enables you to create a single
data environment that is accessible
from both VAX systems and DOS
personal computers.

* Network software—support for the basic

file and print services of the Microsoft®
LAN Manager, DECnet-DOS, and
NETBIOSTM interface; VMS NETBIOS
support for task-to-task and multitask
communication

= Additional DOS operating system utilities

(PC-DOS or MS-DOS® i a prerequisite)

PCMAIL utility (compatible with

organization of the files created by the
cations can read files written by VMS
applications.

With PCSA file services, users of video
terminals, workstations, and personal
computers can access the same files
residing on the server. Data sharing
between the large-systems world and
the personal-computing world has never
been simpler.

VMS MAIL)

Disk Semices

SEDT, a screen-oriented text editor

The disk services provided by VMS

MS-Windows support

Services for PCs give PCSA clients access

PC DECwindows Display Facility

to high-performance DOS-formatted

(DOS X-Server)

virtual disks, located on VAX servers

VT220 and VT320 terminal emulation

and local area networks. This capability

On-line User Information System

provides PC users with the best of both
worlds: complete applications and data

PCSA Server Software
File Services
VMS Services for PCs software provides
aremote DOS file system which appears
as a transparent extension of the client
system’s local disk or PC. Users share

DOS files contained on the server disk
through concurrent as well as sequential

usage of the files.

sharing among PCs on the local area network, along with performance that rivals
standalone hard-disk systems.

The low-overhead, high-performance

Adobe Systems, Inc., the LNO3R

ccommunications protocols employed by

measure of control is provided by access
control lists that bring VMS-level security

PCSA disk services can make access to

PrintServer departmental laser printing

tousers of PC files. When a server offers

virtual disks as fast as using a local hard

system.

aresource (file, disk, printer) to a client,

disk. PCSA disk services are ideal for the
PC operating system software, DOS appli-

cations and utilities, and other DOS files
that do not need to be shared by VMS
users or applications. Users who want to
make such files available to VAX systems
can copy the files using the DOS COPY

Network Management and Control Services
In addition to network computing functions for personal computer users, VMS

Services for PCs software provides a
complete range of menu-driven services

alist that specifies privileges assigned to
users can be associated with the resource.
Service and file access control is supported across a VAXcluster.
Remote Boot Services

for managing and controlling the net-

Through VMS Services for PCs disk

work. These services provide functions
connect to a server, providing access

services, PCs can be booted over the
local area network by server systems.
The DECnet PCSA Client for DOS

These DOS-formatted virtual disks can
also be accessed across wide area networks,
using the Network Device Utility.

control to the system administrator, and

software required to establish network

returning server-resource utilization

The virtual disks available through PCSA

The server software also provides control
over the number of simultaneous client

connections may reside entirely on the
PCSA server. The remote boot capability
permits better and simplified management of PC data, applications, and
resources shared by networked PCs.

command to a virtual drive, provided by
PCSA file services.

such as allowing individual clients to

information.

disk services are established at the time
of their creation. Disk sizes range from
360 Kbytes to 32 Mbytes. Disk manage-

of system resources, tracking the use of

ment can be performed from the VAX or

applications, and ensuring compliance

remotely from the personal computer.

with software licensing agreements. In

Print Services
PCSA print services enable PC and VAX

system users to share printers. From the
PC user’s perspective, this is no different
from using a local printer. PCSA clients
can send files to remote printers directly

connections, which allows management

The system administrator can monitor

Client Network Software
The DECnet PCSA Client for DOS
networking software provides networking
support for local and wide area networks.
It provides utilities for remote file proce-

and adjust these parameters as necessary.

dures, management, and troubleshooting

Menu-driven administrator’s utilities

for the DOS node, network command
terminal operation, and remote resource

addition, the software can impose other
restrictions
on the use of the server to

help meet performance and security goals.

from DOS, MS-Windows, or PC applica-

enable the system administrator to regis-

tions; or from VMS, using a PC-based

ter clients, list resources, and specify PC

terminal emulator.

clients for remote booting. Other system

PCSA print services allow the printing of

PC output on printers attached directly
to the network, to a terminal server or

VAX server, including a VAXcluster,
located anywhere in the DECnet local

area or wide area network. Typical sharedresource printers are Digital’s Companion
Color printers (LJ250 and 1]252), laser

printers such as the LNO3 PLUS, and
laser printers based on POSTSCRIPT®,
the page description language from

PCSA Client Software

management utilities can record network

and server events in a file whenever the
server is running—including useful

information such as when network con-

allocation. In addition, a network inter-

face library offers the programmer the
ability to implement distributed appli-

cations through program-to-program
communication.

nections are opened or closed—or enable
the system administrator to broadcast a

DECnet PCSA Client for DOS networking software integrates the basic file
and print services of Microsoft’s LAN

message to the PC users who are on the

Manager with DECnet through a network

server’s network.

session interface. Microsoft’s Redirector
program is used to direct input and output from DOS applications to virtual

Security Services
Access to network file, disk, and print
resources can be limited by the use of

passwords. When the server offers a file
directory or a printer for use, a password

can be associated with the directory or
printer. Only users who know the pass-

word can access the service. A greater

drives and remote printers located on
the network.

DECnet PCSA Client for DOS software

also supports the NETBIOS programming interface, an emerging standard,
providing transparent communications
and complete compatibility with applications written for a variety of PC net-

works. DOS applications adhering to
the NETBIOS interface standard can
be used with DECnet PCSA Client for
DOS software without modification.
And because Digital supports a single,

$600, 000

unified network architecture, the same

$500, 900

NETBIOS applications can run on both

Suvu, 000

local area and wide area DECnet net-

5300, 080

works. DECnet/PCSA NETBIOS applica-

(GENERAL PAK. disks:

tions can even communicate with other

|CLEAN-SHEET paper,

DECnet applications, such as DECnet-

5200, 000
100,000

0
($198,000)

VAX applications. DECnet PCSA Client
for DOS software also supports the VMS
NETBIOS interface, which allows taskto-task and multitask communication.

File Transfer Services
In some instances, personal computer

users may need to transfer files between
the personal computer and a system on
the network that is not running the same
operating system software as the server

VMS Semvices for PCs software supports MS-Windows and PC DECwindows, and enables
VAX and MicroVAX computers to act as application, data, and resource servers to large
groups of personal computers.
from the DOS command line, or

requisite for IBM personal computers

from a menu-driven program under

or compatibles. Digital provides several
operating system enhancements:

MS-Windows. File transfer services

system (for example, a PDP-11 or
DECSYSTEM-20). PCSA file transfer
services enable PC users to transfer
sequential ASCIT and binary files

can run from MS-Windows and can

between a PC and any other DECnet

services include file concatenation, dele-

Phase IV node (except a DOS node).
A DOS node may invoke the Permit

utility, which enables that node’s disk
resources to be accessible at the exclusion of other activities on that node.
File transfer services can be invoked

operate concurrently with other
MS-Windows applications. Additional
facilities offered by PCSA file transfer
tion, spooling of files for printing, and
submitting and executing command files,
provided that the remote node supports
these functions. Directory listings are
also supported.
DOS Operating System Enbancements
PCSA client systems employ MS-DOS

or PC-DOS as their native operating
system, enabling users to develop and
run industry-standard software applica-

tions, and to manage their diskettes,
files, and directories.

MS-DOS or IBM® PC-DOS is a pre-

Backup and restore facilities for networked systems

Loadable text and graphic fonts
Loadable country-specific data tables
“Print Screen” capabilities for text,
graphics displays on Digital’s LA75,
LA75P, LA210, [J250, 1]252, and the
IBM ProprinterTM and Graphics Printer
DECnet PCSA Client for DOS software
integrates the IBM PC-DOS operating
systems, and versions of MS-DOS for
selected PC-compatibles into Digital’s
PCSA.

PCMAIL Utility

The PCMAIL utility enables PC users
within the network to communicate
with each other. It also enables PC users
to communicate with

VMS MAIL users

and supports the full range of VMS MAIL
functionality, including folders for mail
storage and forwarding capabilities.
PCMAIL also includes the SEDT fullscreen editor to compose and edit
messages; however, it also supports
most standard DOS word processing
applications.
MS-Windows Interface

The DECnet PCSA Client for DOS
software supports the MS-Windows
interface (versions 2.03 and 2.1/286)
to provide an easy-to-use, highly visual
interface to the operating system, network, and applications. MS-Windows

can split the display screen into multiple
windows and allow several programs to
appear on the screen at the same time.
With MS-Windows, PC users can run

the following DECnet/PCSA utilities:
VT320 Terminal Emulator

DOS utilities for managing and troubleshooting the DOS node
On-line Information System

With Digital’s PC integration products, you use the same DOS commands or MS-Windows
interface with your networked PC as you did with your standalone PC.
PC DECwindows Display Facility

Terminal Emulation

Included with the DECnet PCSA

The DECnet PCSA Client for DOS

Client for DOS softwareis the PC

terminal emulation software allows PC

DECwindows Display Facility, which
provides an X Window SystemTM inter-

users to establish multiple terminal sessions under MS-Windows with any VAX

face. This DOS application allows a

or MicroVAX system on the DECnet

DECwindows application executing on

network, or other host systems. Sessions

aremote VMS or ULTRIX system with

Several third-party, industry-standard

DECnet to be displayed on and receive

can be established using either a serial
communications port or the Ethernet

printer drivers are supplied with

keyboard and mouse input from the per-

local area network port.

MS-Windows but are not supported

sonal computer. For example, a PC user

by Digital.

can display a DECwindows application
executing on a remote VMS system in
one window and display a DECwindows

application executing on a remote
ULTRIX system in another window.

Terminal emulation is also provided
outside of MS-Windows for users who
want to establish terminal sessions to

host systems. This capability, called
SETHOST, provides access to the rich
computing resources of large systems

PC DECwindows enables PC users to

for remote program development and

use a VAX system as a shared computer

other tasks.

resource for powerful interactive graphic
applications or applications that require

more capacity than most dedicated PCs.

Service

SETHOST allows users of DECnet PCSA
Client for DOS software to establish

But using a VAX system as a server for

multiple virtual terminal connections

computing capabilities, because VAX

to remote systems. A single keystroke
switches among the active terminal ses-

servers need not be dedicated to PC file,

sions or acts as a “hot-key” to DOS.

servers can run VMS applications, too.

In Europe, this start-up consulting ser-

A script processing language for all

With a VAX or MicroVAX system as

supported terminal emulators enables

the server, a PC user can tap into the

Time and materials consulting is also

users to automate frequently executed
terminal functions, such as logging into

full capabilities of the Digital network

remote systems and performing tasks for

DECnet/SNA gateways, Message

retrieving information.

Routers, LAN Bridges, as well as VMS
and DECnet applications.

The DECnet PCSA Client for DOS software also enables virtual disk emulation

PCs doesn’t mean giving up its other

application, and printer services. VAX

Digital’s PCSA DECstart Service
provides implementation support for
installing VMS Services for PCs and
DECnet PCSA Client for DOS software.
vice is called MS-DOS SERVERstart.

available.

and supporting hardware, VAXclusters,

VMS Services for PCs supports a wide

for new, high-density storage formats.

variety of network topologies, from small

On-line User Information System

license includes the right to use VMS

In an easy-to-use format with quick

Services for PCs, every networked VAX

to large. And because the DECnet-VAX

access to specific topics, the DECnet

system is server-ready. The combination

PCSA Client for DOS software contains

of DECnet and VMS Services for PCs is

information on how to use personal com-

ideal for any network—even a world-

puters in the PCSA environment.

wide network—and illustrates Digital’s

VMS Services for PCs Configurations

level of computing.

Digital’s PC Integration products integrate

VAX Servers in Digital Networks
A VMS-based server provides a high
level of system management and control,

Network flexibility at the organizational

ibles from a variety of vendors.

ability to provide integration at every

level is one of Digital’s greatest strengths:
the ability to tie together computer

such as file protection, security, and
access control capabilities that are not

devices of all kinds, from video terminals,

available for DOS-based networks.

VAX systems and clusters—all in one

personal computers, and workstations, to

the leading, industry-standard PC compat-

Digital provides one of the most comprehensive portfolios of services in the
industry, designed to support customers

powerful, seamless network.

throughout the computing life-cycle—
planning and design, implementation,

networked PC LAN server configura-

You need not purchase DECnet PCSA

and ongoing maintenance. Services

tions that can function as dedicated

Client for DOS software for each PC—

“applications dispensers” for groups
of PCs. This offers system managers

only a license is required for every PC.

greater ease of administration.

Client for DOS software is included in

Digital offers VAX systems in special

The single-use license for DECnet PCSA
Digital’s PC Network Integration packages (DEPCA-xx) and is also available
separately. Only one copy of the DECnet

PCSA Client for DOS software media is
needed for the whole network.

range from traditional on-site hardware

and software services to multivendor and
network maintenance support to facility
construction and recovery services.

You may tailor the type and amount of
support necessary to meet your needs.
Whatever the service solution, you
benefit from a single point of contact.

Digital’s service offerings vary by country.
For more information on these service

offerings, please contact your local
Digital office.
When you buy from Digital, you are

backed by one of the largest service and
support organizations in the world. The
depth and breadth of Digital service
means more up-time and greater productivity for your network systems, whether
you are responsible for a few personal

computers in a workgroup, or for hundreds around the world.

For More Information
For more information about Digital’s
PCSA, VMS Services for PCs, DECnet,
PC Network Integration packages,

PCEAN|Sexvet packiges, o how Digital
can make you and your personal comcontact your local Digital office today.

Digital belicves that the information in this publication is accurate as ofits publication date; such infor‘mation is subject to change without notice. Digizal

s not responsible for any inadvertent errors.

The following
are trademarks of Digital
Equipment Corporation: ALLIN-1, DECnet,
DECstart, DECstation, DECSYSTEM-20,

DECwindows, DEPCA, the DIGITAL Logo,
LA210, LAT75, LA75P, LAN Bridge, 1J250,

1J252, LNO3, LNO3 PLUS, LNO3R SeriptPrinter,
Message Router, MicroVAX, PCSA, PDP-11,
PrintServer, SEDT, SERVERstart, ULTRIX,

VAX, VAXcluster, VMS, and VT.
‘Third-party trademarks:
POSTSCRIPT is a registered trademark of Adobe,
Systems, Inc. Proprinter and NETBIOS are
trademarks and IBM is a registered trademark

of International Business Machines Corporation.
MS-DOS and MS-Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. X Window
System is a trademark of the Massachusetts

Institute of Technology.

puting systems more productive, please