Frequently Asked Questions List for CDROMLAN@IDBSU.IDBSU.EDU Version 1.0 March 4, 1993 This frequently asked questions list (FAQ) is compiled by Steven Kirby of the Main Library at the University of Georgia. Corrections, clarifications, additions, or other comments should be directed to the compiler of the FAQ at: kirby@athena.cs.uga.edu All persons who contribute additions to this FAQ will be acknowledged. The information contained herein is presumed to be correct to the best knowledge of the person who contributed the answer. As the EPA folks put it, your mileage may vary. This FAQ will be distributed on a monthly basis, generally on the first working day of the month. It is also available via FTP from several sites. See question 1, "Where can I get copies of this FAQ?" for additional information. In looking over this version of the FAQ, I noticed that much of what it contains is addressed specifically to users of Novell NetWare. Doubtless that reflects a number of things, including Novell's dominance of the network marketplace. I'd be especially interested to hear from folks who are *not* using NetWare and who are willing to contribute to the corpus of information that has been supplied by NetWare sites. This month's questions are: 1. Where can I get a copy of this FAQ? 2. What solutions are available that allow me to network CD-ROM databases? 3. Where can I get in touch with someone who is actually using a particular CD networking solution? 4. Where can I find reviews of particular CD networking solutions? 5. Can you recommend a good CD-ROM drive? 6. What are some good sources of information on networking, computing, and CD-ROM applications? (Other than CDROMLAN, of course.) 7. What other electronic forums (i.e., Usenet newsgroups and Bitnet discussion lists) might be of interest to the manager of a CD network? 8. Are there any applications that allow me to connect Macintoshes to my CD network? (Assuming MS-DOS machines are my standard platform?) 9. Can I provide remote access to my CD network via an asynchronous modem and/or TCP/IP? 10. How can I connect my CD network to an IBM mainframe? 11. What equipment do I need to set up a small (2-8 user), low-cost CD network? 12. What menu and usage tracking programs are available for my CD network? 13. Who are some of the major producers of CD-ROM databases and how can I get in touch with them? 14. Are there any FTP sites that contain materials that would be of use to the manager of a CD network? 15. Do I have to run the Microsoft Extensions in order to network my CDs? 16. Where can I get a copy of the latest version of the Microsoft Extensions? 16. Are there any advantages to using Ethernet over Token Ring, or vice versa? 17. Can I connect a multidisc changer such as the Pioneer DRM-600 to my LAN? ANSWERS Question 1: Where can I get a copy of this FAQ? A complete version of the FAQ for CDROMLAN@IDBSU.IDBSU.EDU will be distributed around the first of each month. If you subscribe to the list, you will receive the update as part of the regular list traffic. If you have FTP capability, you may obtain a copy of the FAQ from the following FTP sites: [Compiler's note: This information will be made available in all future versions of the FAQ. As of this writing, I haven't obtained the IP addresses for the sites that have volunteered to make this list available for FTP. Rather than delay the release of the FAQ any longer, I opted to omit this part.] Question 2: What solutions are available that allow me to network CD- ROM databases? CBIS CD Connection & CD Server CBIS Inc. 5875 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Building 100, #170 Norcross, GA 30092 (404) 446-1332 CBIS sells both a hardware/software solution, as well as a software only solution. The software is CBIS' CD Connection program, which acts as a CD-ROM redirector. Once rated as one the better CD networking solutions, CBIS has not fared quite so well in recent benchmark tests. CorelDriver Corel Systems Corp. 1600 Carling Ave. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1Z 8R7 (613) 728-8200 Something of a hybrid between a Netware Loadable Module and a CD-ROM redirector. Unlike SCSI Express, CorelDriver still requires the Microsoft Extensions on each workstation on the LAN. A reasonably priced, mid-range performer. CD Net Meridian Data Inc. 5615 Scotts Valley Dr. Scotts Valley, CA 95066 (408) 438-3100 Meridian sells both a hardware/software solution, as well as a software only solution. The software is Meridian's CD Net program, which acts as a CD-ROM redirector. Performance is rated as very good. Clearly the best of the redirectors in benchmark tests. CD-PLUS CD-PLUS 333 Seventh Ave. New York, New York 10001 (212) 563-3006; (800) 950-2035 While not a CD solution, CD-PLUS still may be on interest to managers of a CD network. CD-PLUS sells hardware and software to load databases on to high-capacity magnetic discs. This ought to improve performance dramatically. But since I haven't seen it, I can't say for sure. DEC InfoServer Digital Equipment Corporation (800) 344-4825 = (800) DIGITAL DEC's description of this device may be found in an insert to the December, 1992 issue of PC World magazine. The insert follows page 358 (You'll have to hunt a little for it, the immediately preceding pages are not numbered. There ought to be a special place in Hell for magazines that do this.). The feature on the Infoserver starts on page 27 of the insert. As Digital says, the Infoserver is not a file server. Rather, it is a device designed to allow users on a LAN to share SCSI devices, including up to 14 CD-ROM drives. The Infoserver appears to the end-user as another SCSI device. It does not impose a file system on its virtual devices, so it can provide services to Macintoshes, MeSsy-DOS machines, as well as VAXen that are connected to a Pathworks network. LANtastic Artisoft 691 East River Road Tuscon, AZ 85704 (602) 293-4000 One of the better MS-DOS based LAN packages. Includes built- in CD-ROM support, though not intended specifically as a CD- ROM networking solution. As recently as 1990, PC Magazine rated LANtastic to be one of the top CD networking solutions. It probably would not be rated that highly today, but it still has some potential use for smaller installations. Opti-Net Online Computer Systems Inc. 20251 Century Blvd. Germantown, MD 20874 (800) 922-9204; (301) 428-3700 Another redirector solution. Opti-Net was one of the earliest CD-ROM networking solutions. Recent versions should provide acceptable performance, though it did not fare particularly well in PC Magazine's 1991 benchmark tests. Available for NetWare 3.11, as well as NetWare 2.X. The latter version is a Value Added Process, which is NetWare 2.X's equivalent to a Network Loadable Module (NLM). SCSI Express Micro Design International 6985 University Blvd. Winter Park, FL 32792 (800) 228-0891; (407) 677-8333 SCSI Express is available for a number of multi-user operating systems (including Novell NetWare 3.11, and Microsoft LAN Manager). SCSI Express for NetWare 3.11 is a Netware Loadable Module (NLM), which means that it functions as an extension to the NetWare operating system. Performance has generally been rated as excellent. V-Server Virtual Microsystems 1825 South Grant Street, #700 San Mateo, CA 94402 (415) 573-9596 The V-server gateway from Virtual Microsystems is a hardware/software system which enables VAX terminals, PC's, and/or Macintoshes to communicate with a CD-ROM network. The device is meant to connect users of a VAX-based network to a CD-ROM network. One V-server enables a maximum of four users to simultaneously access the CD-ROM network. The V-server itself contains four 286 or 386 processors and four network cards. The V-server master CPU is addressable as a standard node on a DECnet network. Question 3: Where can I get in touch with someone who is actually using a particular CD networking solution? For questions about CBIS' CD Connection, contact: Aarne Almquist, University of North Texas (aalmquis@library.unt.edu) Dave Bloomberg, Florida Atlantic University (bloomber@acc.fau.edu) For questions about CDPLUS, contact: Jim Morgan, Indiana University Medical Center (morganj@indyvax.iupui.edu) For questions about DEC's InfoServer, contact: Margaret Sylvia, St. Mary's University (acadmarg@vax.stmarytx.edu) For questions about networking CDs with Microsoft LAN Manager, contact: Nick Carter, Batelle Memorial Institute Pacific Northwest Labs (ng_carter@pnl.gov) For questions about Meridian's CD Net solution, contact: Jim Morgan, Indiana University Medical Center (morganj@indyvax.iupui.edu) Jennifer Walz, King's College Library (mech@shrsys.hslc.org) For questions about Micro Design International's SCSI Express, contact: Steven Kirby, University of Georgia (kirby@athena.cs.uga.edu) Question 4: Where can I find reviews of various CD networking solutions? LAN Times, 11 January 1993 (see article on pp. 89-101.) PC Magazine, 31 December 1991. "Networking CD-ROMs : the power of shared access", pp. 333-363. Question 5: Can you recommend a good CD-ROM drive? The NEC CDR-73 has received a number of very favorable reviews, as have the Toshiba TXM-3301 and the Sony CDU-7211. The latter was used by PC Magazine for its suite of benchmark tests. My understanding, however, is that at least one of these (the Toshiba TXM-3301) is no longer in production. Perhaps the best approach would be to contact one or more of the following manufacturers and request information on their products. (Sorry, all I have are the US phone numbers. I hope to have more information for the next FAQ.) Hitachi: (800) HITACHI Matsumi: (516) 752-7730 NEC: (800) NEC-INFO Philips: (800) 722-6224 Sony: (408) 434-6644 Texel: (800) 886-3935 Question 6: What are some good sources of information on networking, computing, and CD-ROM applications? Some major periodical publications that include articles that will be of interest to CD network managers include: Byte CD-ROM Professional ComputerWorld InfoWorld LAN Times Online PC Magazine PC World The following books pertaining to networking have been recommended by persons on the list: Amon, Elenore M. Intelligent LAN management with Novell NetWare. (Englewood Cliffs, NJ : Prentice- Hall, 1991). Derfler, Frank J. PC Magazine guide to connectivity. (Berkeley, CA : Ziff-Davis Press, 1991). Nance, Barry. Introduction to networking. (Carmel, IN: Que, 1992). Siyan, Karanjit. NetWare : the professional reference. (Carmel, IN : New Riders Pub., 1992). Question 7: What other electronic forums (i.e., Usenet newsgroups and Bitnet discussion lists) might be of interest to the manager of a CD network? On Usenet, try the following newsgroups: alt.cd-rom aus.cdrom (geared towards Australian users) bit.listserv.pacs-l comp.sys.dec comp.sys.novell On Bitnet, try the following discussion groups: CDROM@BROWNVM CDPLUS-L@UTORONTO GOVDOC-L@PSUVM1 NOVELL@SUVM PACS-L@UHUPVM1 Question 8: Are there any applications that allow me to connect Macintoshes to my CD network? Sure. The next release of SCSI Express will allow Macintoshes to view CD-ROM discs as NetWare volumes. Assuming your server is able to provide the appropriate Macintosh support (in that you have installed NetWare's Macintosh NLM and have networkable Macintosh search software installed where the Macintosh can get to it), you should be able to support Macintoshes via SCSI Express. The University of Georgia will be experimenting with this package very soon. Details will be included in a future release of the FAQ. Other solutions do exist that allow Macintoshes to connect to a Novell network. However, I'm not familiar enough with any of them to offer much of a description. Contributions in this area would be most welcome. The Virtual Microsystems V-Server will allow Macintoshes, MeSsy-DOS machines, and VAX terminals to search CD-ROM drives that are connected to a DECnet network. The DEC Infoserver provides a similar service to Macintoshes connected to a Pathworks LAN. Question 9: Can I provide remote access to my CD network via an asynchronous modem and/or TCP/IP? On the simplest level, you may be able to add a few dial-up lines using commercial remote communications (RCS) software such as Norton PCAnywhere LAN, Central Point Commute, or Carbon Copy Plus. All you need to implement such a solution is one or more PCs, a license for the appropriate number of the RCS package, a modem for each host PC, and a phone line for each modem. If you are using NetWare (and I suspect the same goes for NetBios), you'll need one machine per phone line as you can't multiplex the regular version of Novell's IPX. Novell's Access Server is a variation on the above theme. It uses versions of the PCAnywhere ATERM program and Quarterdeck's DesqView (both licensed by Novell from the appropriate vendors), along with a multiplexed version of NetWare's IPX (not the regular IPX stack that is included with NetWare) and a communcations board that allows you to connect multiple modems to the same PC. Each IPX session runs as a virtual machine under DesqView. You need to supply the host PC and one or more modems. For more information, contact: Novell, Inc. Communications Products Division 890 Ross Dr. Sunnyvale, CA 94089 (800) 453-1267; (408) 747-4000 On the high end of the spectrum, the ChatterBox series from J & L Information Systems uses a multiple-CPU configuration. Each CPU is mounted on a separate card, which is inserted into a custom tower case. Each card in the ChatterBox has its own network adapter and modem. The ChatterBox cards appear to the network as individual diskless workstations. For more information, contact: J & L Information Systems, Inc. 9238 Deering Ave. Chatsworth, CA 91311 (818) 709-1778 Novell NetWare will not allow users to connect directly to the network via TCP/IP. It is, however, possible to telnet to a computer that is connected to a Novell LAN. If that device is able to view CDs connected to the Novell server, then that device will be able to make use of CD services on the Novell network (assuming that appropriate search software is provided). There are several products which will support this type of access. Everywhere Access is a commercial product, I believe. If someone is using it and will be kind enough to forward me the details, I'll include it in a future version of the FAQ. WATTCP is available via FTP and should allow users to telnet to a workstation attached to a Novell network. Again, I lack specifics on this and will welcome any contributions. At the very least, though, I can mention some FTP sites where WATTCP can be found: wuarchive.wustl.edu /mirrors3/archive/msdos/communications knot.queensu.ca /pub/msdos/tcpip laurel.ocs.mq.edu.au /PC/Networking/TCPIP pinus.slu.se /msdos.nfs.sunet.se/networking/wattcp The file name at all of these sites is wattcp.zip. [Compiler's note: I expect this will be an area of increasing interest to a number of sites. Contributions, corrections, and clarifications relating to this subject will be especially welcome.] Question 10: How can I connect my CD network to an IBM mainframe? If you are using Novell Netware as your network operating system, you may be able to use something like Novell's LAN Workplace for DOS or the Clarkson University TCP/IP program to communicate between your workstations and the mainframe. This assumes, of course, that your mainframe is able to communicate over TCP/IP. This has the advantage of being potentially the cheapest solution, but there are some tradeoffs to consider. The drivers (be they packet drivers, ODI drivers, or NDIS drivers) needed to support TCP/IP communications do take up a small amount of memory on each workstation. If you're tight on memory as it is, you may want to consider another solution. A more standard approach is to set up a microcomputer to serve as a gateway between your LAN and the mainframe. A number of vendors sell products that will enable you to do this relatively inexpensively. These vendors include: Chi Corp. (LinkUP 3270) 31200 Carter St. Solon, OH 44139 216-349-8600 Data Interface Systems, Inc. (DI3270) PO Box 4189 Austin TX 78765 800-351-4244; 512-346-5641 ICOT Corp. (pcPATH SNA-3770) PO Box 5143 San Jose, CA 95150 800-762-3270; 408-433-3300 Novell, Inc. (NetWare 3270) 122 East 1700 South Provo, UT 84606 800-453-1267; 801-379-5900 I don't know enough about connecting networks other than Novell to an IBM mainframe to offer much information. Contributions in this area will be much appreciated. Question 11: What equipment do I need to set up a small (2-8 user), low-cost CD network? At a minimum you will need a machine to use as a file server, some workstations, a few network interface cards (NICs), enough cabling (most likely Ethernet) to connect all of your workstations to the server, a SCSI host adapter, one or more SCSI CD-ROm drives (you will connect the CD drives to the server via the host adapter and to each other via "daisy chain" cable), and last, but not least, a copy of a low-end network operating system (NOS) such as Artisoft's LANtastic. This will probably be enough to get you going, but you need to realize that if your network grows, much of this hardware and software will need to be replaced. Some of it can be recycled (e.g., Ethernet cable will work with a variety of NOS packages, ranging from LANTastic to Novell NetWare 3.11), but some of it will probably end up in the back room right next to your old CP/M equipment. A few pointers on the machine you select for a server. You want the fastest machine with the most memory and most fixed disc storage space you can possibly get. You may not need all of these resources right now, but you probably will someday. Assuming that you are using a DOS-based LAN such as LANTastic, a fast 80386 machine (at least a 25mhz 386DX, and preferably a 386DX-33 or 386DX-40) with 2-4 megabytes of memory and a fixed disc of 100-200 megabytes capacity ought to be enough to get you going on a small scale. Don't worry about the video display on the server. A VGA board is overkill on this machine, since it will be a dedicated server. An old MDA text-only video board will work just fine. Realistically, your workstations should be at least 80286 machines. As with the server, the more power, the better. Machines using the 80386 chip (either DX or SX versions) may allow you to load more device drivers into upper memory. Most CD search apps require around 500K of base memory in order to operate; some require even more. Once you've loaded DOS, your network shell, the Microsoft Extensions, and any other drivers you need, you may find that you are getting close to the minimum needed to run your CD search software. With a 386 or 486 machine, you can use the EMM386.EXE program that comes with DOS 5.0 to load some of these items into upper memory. That may turn out to be the difference between a functioning CD network and a group of dead machines connected via cable. Some DOS-based networking systems (e.g., LANtastic) are available in either slow, proprietary versions or in versions that allow 10 mps Ethernet connections. Under no circumstances should you opt for the slower, cheaper flavor of your NOS. A basic network such as this will be slow enough as it is without adding yet another bottleneck. The best piece of advice anyone setting up a small network such as this can receive is to plan ahead. Don't box yourself in by assuming that just because your network operates fine the day you bring it up, it will perform satisfactorily forever. It won't. Someday, in all probability, you will outgrow this network. It will probably happen sooner than you think. Buy equipment with the assumption that it will have to function (possibly in a different capacity) on a higher- performance network using SCSI Express, Meridian, CBIS, or some other high-end network solution. Question 12: What menu and usage tracking programs are available for my CD network? There are a number of very fine menu programs available for use with DOS and Novell networks. Some of the more widely- known commercial packages include: Automenu Magee Enterprises PO Box 1587 Norcross, GA 30091 (800) 662-4330 Direct Access Network Fifth Generation Systems, Inc. 10049 N. Reiger Rd. Baton Rouge, LA 70809 (800) 873-4384; (504) 291-7221 Saber Menu Saber Software Corp. PO Box 9088 Dallas, TX 75209 (800) 338-8754; (214) 361-8086 In addition, I have looked at a freeware menu called MC Menu that is available via anonymous ftp from the following sources (and perhaps others): cs.dal.ca /pub/comp.archives.comp.sys.novell plaza.aarnet.edu.au /micros/pc/garbo/net wuarchive.wustl.edu /mirrors4/garbo.uwasa.fi/net ftp.uni-kl.de /pub/pc/novell MC Menu is a decent replacement for the menu program that comes with Novell. Certainly the price is right! It uses Novell's menu structure, though you don't actually have to run it under NetWare, i.e. it works fine under DOS. So far as usage tracking/software metering is concerned, this is a built-in feature on Direct Access Network. Saber Software sells a separate package called Saber Meter. You might also want to check out: AppMeter Funk Software, Inc. 222 Third Street Cambridge, MA 02142 (617) 497-6339 SiteLock Brightwork Development, Inc. 766 Shrewsbury Ave. Jerral Center West Tinton Falls, NJ 07724 (800) 552-9876; (201) 530-0440 Question 13: Who are some of the major producers of CD-ROM databases and how can I get in touch with them? R.R. Bowker 121 Chanlon Rd. New Providence, NJ 07974 (800) 521-8110 Compact Cambridge 7200 Wisconsin Ave. Bethesda, MD 20814 (301) 961-6737 Dialog Information Services, Inc. 3460 Hillview Ave. Palo Alto, CA 94304 (415) 858-3785; (800) 334-2564 EBSCO Subscription Services PO Box 325 Topsfield, MA (508) 887-6667; (800) 221-1826 Gale Research Inc. 835 Penobscot Building Detroit, MI 48226 (313) 961-2242 Newsbank/Readex 58 Pine Street New Canaan, CT 06840 (203) 966-100 Oxford University Press 2001 Evans Rd. Cary, NC 27513 (800) 451-7556 SilverPlatter Information Inc. 100 River Ridge Dr. Norwood, MA 02062 (617) 769-2599 University Microforms International (UMI) 300 North Zeeb Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48106 (313) 761-4700, (800) 521-0600 H.W. Wilson Company 950 University Ave. Bronx, NY 10452 (212) 588-8400 Question 14: Are there any FTP sites that contain materials that would be of use to the manager of a CD network? I've found the following sites to be especially useful. cdrom.com ftp.novell.com risc.ua.edu wuarchive.wustl.edu I'd like to hear from others, particularly those outside the US, about useful FTP sites in their part of the world. Question 15: Do I have to run the Microsoft Extensions in order to network my CDs? This depends on the CD networking solution you are using. In most cases, the answer is "Yes". Nearly all existing DOS and NetWare solutions require the MS Extensions to be loaded on each workstation. The key exception is SCSI Express. Question 16: Where can I get a copy of the latest version of the Microsoft Extensions? The latest version of the Microsoft Extensions is available for anonymous FTP from: cdrom.com /pub/cdext.exe This is a self-extracting archive file. This file is also available in the MSL library on CompuServe under the same file name. Question 17: Are there any advantages to using Ethernet over Token Ring, or vice versa? This is probably a "hot button" question, but it crops up from time to time. Both Ethernet and Token Ring have their unique advantages and disadvantages. Token Ring, especially in its 16 mps version, probably is a bit faster than 10 mps Ethernet. On the other hand, Ethernet is a good bit cheaper to install. Ethernet boards typically cost less than their Token Ring counterparts, plus Ethernet cable (particularly thin wire RG- 58 and twisted pair 10BaseT) is substantially cheaper than the IBM Type 1 cable used for Token Ring installations. In most cases, though, the best thing probably is to follow whatever is a standard for your site. If most of your site is wired with Ethernet, it's probably advisable for you to use Ethernet. If most of the networks at your site use Token Ring, then Token Ring is probably your best solution. It is possible to communicate between the two protocols, but you introduce another layer of complexity when you do so and you may pay a performance penalty in the process. In any event, both Ethernet and Token Ring have large installed bases and either of them will provide acceptable performance if properly configured. Question 18: Can I connect a multidisc changer such as the Pioneer DRM-600 to my LAN? Yes, you can. However, you more than likely do not want to. Multidisc changers typically contain only a single CD-ROM drive. They operate by moving discs in and out of that drive as needed. This is fairly slow, mechanical process that cannot be compensated for with caching, fast servers, or fast workstations. If two or more users try to use different CDs located in the changer simultaneously, the response time cannot help but be very poor. Multidisc changers work well on standalone machines, but they really are not suitable for use as network devices in most cases. If you absolutely *must* connect a disc changer to your LAN, at least one solution-- Micro Design's SCSI Express--will support them. Other solutions may support these devices as well. It is probably best to contact the vendor who sold you your CD networking solution for details. ACKNOWLEGEMENTS The compiler would like to thank the following people for their generous assistance in contributing to this list. In no particular order, they are: Aarne Almquist, University of North Texas Margaret Sylvia, St. Mary's University Dave Bloomberg, Florida Atlantic University Cheryl Claiborne, Georgia Southern University Dr. Philip Smith, Memphis State University Tom Wilson, University of Houston Jim Morgan, Indiana University Medical Center Jennifer Walz, King's College Library (Wilkes-Barre, PA) Arnold Jones, Micro Design International Dan Lester, Boise State University Nick Carter, Battelle Memorial Institute Pacific Northwest Labs