Microcom Inc, based in Norwood, Massachusetts has announced LANexpress, an offering which is designed to connect remote users to corporate local area networks. The product combines an access server with Windows-based client software and is designed to enable users to run both remote control and remote node applications simultaneously with one connection, says the company. LANexpress features includes: LANexpress Remote, Windows-based remote access software which integrates remote node and remote control software with communications drivers; Carbon Copy for Windows, Microcom’s remote control application; DeskPorte FAST or TravelPorte FAST modems capable, with compression, of data rates up to 115.2Kbps; LANexpress Server, a high-performance server that combines access routing software with integrated V.Fast modems and an Ethernet or Token Ring local area network interface; and the expressWATCH management software for monitoring and configuring the system.
Bottlenecks
According to the company, LANexpress overcomes the main technological and personnel obstacles currently facing remote access offerings: bottlenecks at the access server, at the personal computer serial port and at the operating system are negated by using a high-performance server architecture, V.Fast modems with parallel ports, and enhanced remote user software drivers; while the non-technical nature of most remote users is catered for by providing Windows-based client software, enabling them to connect to the corporate local area network and launch applications with so-called user-friendly icon-clicking. LANexpress will be available in two-port, four-port and eight-port server versions and will support Ethernet and Token Ring local area networks. Prices will be in the range of $3,500 to $8,000 and will include the server, network management, along with an unlimited network licence for Carbon Copy software. The optional DeskPorte FAST and TravelPorte FAST modems are each priced at $500. Licences for LANexpress Remote Software are in the range of $25 to $50 per copy. LANexpress became available last month. With 25m remote professionals forecast by 1995, Forrester Research predicts that the remote access market will generate $2,800m in revenues by 1997. This growth is fuelled by increases in portable personal computer sales and in telecommuting; the movement of critical data from mainframes to local area networks; and an increase in client-server applications, say the analysts.
