OS/2 FAQ List: User's Edition (4 Apr 94)

(3.8) Networking Products

What networking products are available for OS/2 2.1?

In addition to DOS/Windows products, OS/2-specific TCP/IP support is 
available from IBM (phone 800-IBM-CALL), Essex Systems (phone 508-750-6200 
or FAX 508-750-4699), FTP Software (send mail to info@ftp.com), Wollongong 
(phone 415-962-7100 or FAX 415-969-5547), Novell, Ipswitch Inc. (phone 
617-942-0621 or mail support@ipswitch.com), and others.  (A freeware SLIP 
implementation, PMNOS, is available; see (3.2) Shareware and Freeware 
Sources.)  Optional add-ons to IBM's TCP/IP package provide X-Window 
System server and/or client support.  Hummingbird Communications offers 
the eXceed X-Window System server for OS/2.

The NetWare Workstation Kit 2.01 for OS/2 is available from Novell (phone 
800-873-2831) and IBM for a small charge; it is also available free of 
charge from (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources.  Note that NetWare 4.01 
Server (including all the NLMs) can run alongside OS/2 2.1 at the same 
time, making OS/2 2.1 the only operating system providing nondedicated 
NetWare 4.01 server and client capability (a boon for administration and 
dual LAN Server/NetWare servers, for example).  The package to enable 
NetWare 4.01 Server to run alongside OS/2 2.1 is available from IBM Direct 
(800-IBM-2-YOU), Part No. 53G5730.  IBM also offers both NetWare and LAN 
Server 3.01 (Basic and Advanced) with LAN requesters.  Microsoft sells LAN 
Manager (which comes bundled with OS/2 1.3).  An OS/2 2.1 LAN Manager 
Requester, part no. 96F8359, is available from IBM; Microsoft offers a 
similar requester with LAN Manager 2.1a (or later).  DEC sells Pathworks 
(Version 2.0b or later) for OS/2.  Banyan Vines 5.5 (or later) includes an 
OS/2 2.x requester.

OS/2 NDIS MAC drivers for most network adapters are available from (3.2) 
Shareware and Freeware Sources, as well as vax.ftp.com via Internet 
anonymous ftp.  Drivers for 3Com adapters are available via anonymous ftp 
from ftp.3com.com, from the 3Com Support BBS, or from CompuServe (GO 
THREECOM).  Drivers for Cabletron adapters are available via anonymous ftp 
from ftp.ctron.com.

Peer-to-peer networking under OS/2 2.1 is best accomplished (at the 
moment) with either a TCP/IP or APPN product, like IBM's TCP/IP or 
Communications Manager/2, respectively.  TCP/IP (with NFS) is available 
for nearly all platforms, so it is a particularly good choice in a mixed 
environment.  Artisoft is reportedly working on an OS/2 version of 
LANtastic; contact the company for details.  Note that LANtastic 5.0 (or 
above) can run in an OS/2 2.1 DOS session, providing either client or 
server capability (including access to HPFS long filenames for DOS 
clients).  IBM may have its own offering in the near future (a repackaging 
and upgrade of the peer-to-peer support already provided in LAN Server 
3.01).  This support can already interoperate with Microsoft Windows for 
Workgroups.

Infoworld recently called OS/2 the best PC operating system for networking 
in a mixed environment (i.e. with multiple network protocols and/or 
platforms).  With IBM's Network Transport Services/2 at the base (i.e. by 
working through a single NDIS interface, using ODI "shims" if necessary), 
multiple network protocols can share the same network adapter under OS/2, 
avoiding contention.  OS/2 is equally adept as network client, server, 
and/or peer.  It is flexible enough to meet the needs of almost any 
network user.

Related information:

(1.3)  DOS and Windows Compatibility 
(3.2)  Shareware and Freeware Sources 
(3.9)  Peer-to-Peer Networking 
(3.10) Extended Services 
(3.13) Multiuser Extensions and Security 
(5.9)  Specific DOS Sessions

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