IBM has announced the Workstation One family of programs that gives personal computers and workstations running OS/2 2.0, AIX Unix, Microsoft Corp’s Windows or Apple Computer Inc’s Macintosh System access to applications on IBM mainframes and Digital Equipment Corp minis – but they all require a server between the desktop machine and the host, with the minimum server being an 80386 machine. The products – Workstation One/6000, Workstation One/2, Workstation One for Windows, and Workstation One for Macintosh – are aimed at scientists, engineers, managers and other professionals. IBM says that at present, these users may have to use separate terminals to do their work. For example, they may be using one terminal to access DEC VAX applications and another one for IBM mainframe applications and yet another for graphics or text. IBM says the Workstation One family obviates the need for this because it combines many features in one product with a common graphical interface. The user can point-and-click on an application icon in a window without needing to know where the application resides. Using a script command, the user is automatically logged on to the appropriate host once an application is chosen. The correct emulator is loaded, and execution of the application begins. IBM Workstation One enables file transfers and use of local area networks. It also provides an assortment of graphic and non-graphic emulators that enable workstations to operate with hosts without changing existing systems. Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol on the host is a prerequisite. Although IBM acknowledges that open systems should be able to use TCP/IP, Unix, Network File System, and X-server emulation at the desk top, Workstation One does not use them all. But because of the TCP/IP protocol it can be customised into this environment. Workstation One/6000 requires 10Mb of disk, and Workstation One/2, Workstation One for Windows and Workstation One for Macintosh require 4Mb. Workstation One/6000 requires an RS/6000 Network adaptor; any AIX-supported bit-mapped monitor; X Window System 11.4 or higher Motif server including IBM X-station models 120 and 130; IBM AIX 3.2 or higher with TCP/IP, Network File System, and X Window installed; X11 version appropriate for the RS model and AIX version installed. Workstation One/2 needs a machine with minimum 80386SX processor or equivalent; VGA, XGA, 8514/A, NDIS- or ODI-compliant network adaptor (Token Ring or Ethernet); OS/2 2.0 or Novell Netware OS/2 Client 2.0 configured for IPX and Server 2.0 Requester. Workstation One for Windows runs on an 80286 machine with VGA, XGA 8514/A or SuperVGA monitor (or other Windows 3.0-supported EGA-compatible display) and network adaptor as before; it requires a minimum of 4Mb, MS-DOS 3.3 up, Windows 3.0 or 3.1, Microsoft LAN Manager Client 2.0 or Novell Netware Client 3.11.
Mac SE
For the Workstation One for Macintosh, a Mac SE with 68000 processor is good enough, with an Apple TokenTalk or EtherTalk network adaptor, and Macintosh System 6.0.5 up. The server needs to be at least an 80386 machine running MS-DOS 4.0 up, any version of OS/2 from 1.3 up, Microsoft LAN Manager 2.0 or 2.1 or Manager Services for Macintosh 1.0; Novell NetWare NFS 1.1, ODI-compliant network adaptor (Token-Ring or Ethernet). The host must be a 390 or 370 capable of running VM TCP/IP or MVS TCP/IP with Token Ring or Ethernet connection, or DEC VAX with Ethernet connection. Workstation One/6000 and Workstation One/2 are set for limited availability from December 18 and general availability June 25; Workstation One for Windows and Workstation One for Macintosh are out now in the US. The program packages cost $1,000 and additional licences are $845.
