Global Village simplifies Mac communications

*Global Village simplifies Mac communications. (Macintosh) (Global Village Communications Inc's OneWorld telecommunications server) (PC Week LABS: Lab Note) (PC Week Netweek)
PC Week May 9, 1994 v11 n18 pN14(1)
PC Week May 9, 1994 v11 n18 pN14(1)

Global Village simplifies Mac communications. (Macintosh)
(Global Village Communications Inc's OneWorld
telecommunications server) (PC Week LABS: Lab Note) (PC
Week Netweek)

by Blakeley, Michael

Abstract
Global Village Communications Inc's $1,499 OneWorld communications
server is easy to install and manage in Macintosh-based network
environments. The servers include LocalTalk, 10BaseT Ethernet and twin
modem ports. The device also includes GlobalTalk communication
software for send-only fax services or AppleTalk Remote Access (ARA)
versions ARA 1.0 and 2.0. The software gives users an intelligent
interface for sending and storing fax documents. The company states
users can expect a maximum data-transfer rate of 76.8Kbps using
PowerPort Mercury modems and assuming a 4-1 data compression on a
19.2Kbps link. The ARA and fax servers run as applications on OneWorld
operating system that the company optimized for telecommunications. A
server with LocalTalk-only and a single modem port is available for
$999.

Full Text
Global Village Communications Inc.'s new OneWorld telecommunications
server, which shipped last month, is useful and easy to manage in a
Macintosh environment. Priced at $1,499, OneWorld servers come
equipped with LocalTalk, 10BaseT Ethernet, dual modem ports, and
software for either ARA (AppleTalk Remote Access) or fax services.
LocalTalk-only and single-modem configurations are also available
starting at $999.

Having a fax server on the network eliminates lines at the fax machine,
without requiring new hardware on every desktop. The ARA server also
provides a shared remote-access solution. Both the ARA and fax servers
are easy to set up and administer.

Workgroups with a mix of platforms and machines, however, will not
want to commit to a Mac-only solution. They may prefer cross-platform
solutions such as Delrina Technology Inc.'s FaxPro.

OneWorld's ARA server is remarkable for its support of both ARA 1.0 and
2.0. Apple's own ARA 2.0 server does not support older clients.

The OneWorld fax server uses Global Village's popular PowerPort Bronze
II modems for 9,600-bps facsimile rates, allowing users to fax from any
Macintosh by holding down the Option key while printing.

Each Macintosh on the LAN must run the GlobalFax software, which
comes with the OneWorld fax server. The GlobalFax software provides a
well-implemented interface for sending and storing fax documents.

However, OneWorld provides fax sending only. Users cannot receive fax
documents via OneWorld servers. This limitation means that incoming
faxes still have to be distributed from a central fax machine.

True plug-and-play

By default, the fax server allows any client to send documents as guest.
This allows true plug-and-play installation: Plug in a phone line, power,
and networking, and you're done.

The administrator can easily create user access and passwords, assign
priorities, and restrict access to certain times of the day. Dial-back
numbers can also be configured on a per-user basis.

The ARA server uses PowerPort Mercury modems for V.32bis and
V.32terbo data transfer. Global Village claims a maximum
data-transmission rate of 76.8K bps, assuming a 4-1 compression ratio
on a 19.2K-bps connection.

Guest access is turned off by default on the ARA server. This is a
security feature, since guest access requires no password, but the ARA
server is marginally harder to set up than the fax server.

Another difficult aspect of the ARA setup is client software. Although
software is included in the fax server package, the OneWorld ARA server
includes no ARA client.

Log-in messages and maximum connect times may also be configured for
the ARA server and for individual user accounts. AppleTalk zones can be
hidden, as well.

All configuration for the ARA and fax servers is done through the
OneWorld Manager application, which runs on any Macintosh connected to
the OneWorld server.

Several fax and ARA servers can be managed simultaneously from the
same application. User lists may also be exported, imported, and merged
between OneWorld products, AppleShare servers, and Shiva Corp.'s
NetManager.

Both the ARA server and the fax server run as applications on the
OneWorld operating system, which Global Village developed especially
for telecommunications servers.

Future products from Global Village may allow receiving as well as
sending faxes, and may integrate ARA with fax services, or add
Point-to-Point Protocol support for cross-platform remote access.

Global Village Communications, of Mountain View, Calif., can be reached
at (800) 736-4821.

Type: Product Announcement

Company: Global Village Communication Inc.

Product: Global Village Communication OneWorld
(Communications server)

Topic: Product Introduction
Gateway Device

Record# 15 363 632