Unisys Corp is adding ICL Series 39 mainframe communications options to its U5000 and U6000 series Unix machines through a deal with Oxford-based Hytec Information Systems Ltd. The two companies are near to completing a project to integrate Hytec’s Sonnet standardised open network to the Unisys range, allowing full terminal access and file transfer between the Unix boxes and ICL’s Series 39 and 2900 mainframes running OSLAN. Logica Plc is acting as consultant to the project, which should be completed by the end of August. Sonnet will be integrated to the Unisys Open Systems Interconnection Transport layer via X.25 for wide area networks, or Ethernet for local area networks. Last year, Unisys introduced its own co-existance products between ICL mainframes and its BTOS hardware range, and now claims to have installed over 3000 BTOS units in the ICL user community. Meanwhile, Hytec is preparing to announce deals with other hardware manufacturers integrating the product: Unisys was apparently the fifth major manufacturer to sign up for Sonnet but it won’t name the others.
