IBM Adds Networking Power to OS/2 Warp Connect

New York, May 17, 1995 -- IBM today used  New York's Grand Central Station as a backdrop to announce the arrival of the newest member of the award-winning OS/2 Warp family - OS/2* Warp Connect.

OS/2 Warp Connect is a one-box networking solution for small businesses and department workgroups in companies of all sizes. It combines OS/2 Warp with a full set of networking features and software, including peer and remote networking, and TCP/IP for dial-up and LAN access to the Internet and the most popular online services. With OS/2 Warp Connect, customers can use printers, applications, modems and files located on any PC in the network.

OS/2 Warp Connect also includes built-in requesters for IBM LAN Server and Novell NetWare, providing immediate access to these systems without the users having to buy additional software. OS/2 Warp Connect is fully compatible with all existing network operating systems including Microsoft's NT** and Windows for Workgroups**, Banyan Vines**, and LANtastic from Artisoft.**

"OS/2 Warp Connect has everything you need to connect to your existing networks or to create a peer network," said Wally Casey, director of marketing for IBM's Personal Software Products division. "Best of all, it adds to the multitasking power of OS/2 Warp the ability to access and use networked files, modems, printers and more. For example, with OS/2 Warp Connect, you can use your modem plus two of your co-workers' to research multiple on-line services and print your findings on a shared printer without interrupting your search."

A Perfect Fit in Existing Networks

For customers in large enterprises, OS/2 Warp Connect seamlessly links desktop machines to each other and to all major network operating systems, including OS/2 LAN Server, Microsoft NT Server, Novell NetWare, Lotus Notes, and a variety of Internet servers.  OS/2 Warp Connect supports communication via Netbios, TCP/IP or IPX on Ethernet, Token Ring, and FDDI networks, eliminating the need to buy transports or client code when attaching to the industry's most popular servers.  It includes built-in support for wireless LAN connections via infrared or cellular devices.

Because of its multiprotocol support, OS/2 Warp Connect makes an ideal application server platform. Customers can install DB2/2, Lotus Notes and Oracle SQL Server, for example, without any prerequisite software.

"By including connectivity to industry-leading network operating systems, full support for TCP/IP and the Internet, and remote access, IBM has made OS/2 Warp a solid network citizen," said Jamie Lewis, president of the Burton Group, a consulting firm in Salt Lake City, Utah.  "Because OS/2 Warp Connect will be network-enabled out of the box, managers will no longer have to scramble to get the network software they need. With OS/2 Warp Connect's streamlined install, customers can get connected quickly in a variety of environments."

IBM is planning a release this summer of the Host AttachPak, an additional CD for  enterprise customers that will contain advanced networking support, including mobile file synchronization that enables users to disconnect from the server, perform network operations and resynchronize their work after a session is re-established. Other enterprise offerings planned for the additional CD include IBM's System Performance Monitor/2, Communications Manager/2 APPC client, AnyNet/2, NetView DM/2 StartUP and the OS/2 DCE client, all integrated under a single installation routine.

Connect Provides Network Access for Employees on the Road or at Home

OS/2 Warp Connect provides remote features that allow users to remotely connect to their LANs from anywhere over a phone, providing real-time access to network resources. The remote features are based on IBM's LAN Distance*, the most comprehensive remote LAN access software solution on the market. With the peer software included with OS/2 Warp Connect, users can even set up a simple peer network over a telephone line.

"The requirement for secure remote access capability is developing into a necessity of life for almost all business users," said Frank Dzubeck, president of Communications Network Architects, Inc., a consulting firm in Washington, D.C.  "Whether it be for telecommuting from the home or conducting business from your car or hotel room, OS/2 Warp Connect's rich remote access features will unequivocally help to create a true virtual office."

Single Box Business Network Solution for Small Businesses

OS/2 Warp Connect is a single-box solution for anybody who is starting or running a small business. Everything from the operating system to networking features, including peer software, to  a package of native 32-bit OS/2 applications, including IBM Works, are provided in OS/2 Warp Connect in a single integrated installation.

Lotus Notes Express will be shipped in the box with OS/2 Warp Connect. Notes Express is an entry-level Notes client package that features client/server mail plus six other ready-to-use groupware applications that enhance collaboration across workgroups.  Notes Express will include seven productivity templates: discussion databases, client/server mail, phone book, reference databases, news databases, customer tracking, and service requester.

Peer Networks Made Easy

OS/2 Warp Connect comes with everything needed to set up a peer network right out of the box. The built-in peer capability gives large enterprise environments and small businesses the ability to set up a virtual LAN by joining PCs at their parallel or serial ports without installing a network or interface cards. This capability also lets users easily move files between portable PCs and desktop machines. In addition, users can share equipment across the office or on the road with the remote features of OS/2 Warp Connect.

Users will also enjoy the freedom of using OS/2 Peer in a wide range of network environments. The integrated peer software works with OS/2 LAN Server version 3.0 or higher, Microsoft Windows for Workgroups, Windows NT, Microsoft LAN Manager 2.x, PC LA Program 1.3 and Artisoft's LANtastic 6.0.

OS/2 Warp Connect Integrated Installation

Installation is made easy through the integrated installation options with OS/2 Warp Connect. Users have a choice of setting up a straight-forward installation or a tailored option to fine tune the system as they install it. OS/2 Warp Connect is enabled to use the Configuration, Installation and Distribution (CID) utility, allowing it to be installed across the enterprise from any PC on the LAN. The Workplace Shell offers a graphical view of LAN resources by server and a hierarchical view of resources within domains.

OS/2 Warp Connect has all the multitasking, crash-protecting power of OS/2 Warp and runs DOS and Windows applications. OS/2 Warp Connect also includes the BonusPak, a set of native 32-bit applications for OS/2 Warp.

OS/2 Warp Connect will ship later this month in a version that includes IBM's WIN-OS2* software, also known as the "fullpack" edition, with a list price of $xxx and for around $xxx from IBM***.  Upgrade offerings will be available to OS/2 2.1 users for a list price of $xxx or $xxx from IBM and to OS/2 Warp users for a list price of  $xxx or less than $xxx from IBM.  A version of OS/2 Warp Connect for Windows will be available this summer.

OS/2 Warp Connect will be generally available in base and upgrade versions in the United States and Canada through IBM dealers, superstores and a variety of general retail outlets by the end of May. A version for DOS and Windows users will be available by summer.  Availability dates vary for other geographies.

* Indicates trademark or registered trademark of the IBM Corp.
** Indicates trademark of the identified company.
*** US offerings