InformationWeek

September 15, 1997

Net Integration

IBM enhances products to provide the infrastructure for intranet applications

BM's networking software division is rolling out enhancements to its eNetwork line, a group of products the company introduced in April to provide the infrastructure for intranet applications. IBM's goal is to make it easier for companies to integrate data and applications on mainframes and other legacy platforms with their intranets.

New features for Communications Server for Windows NT, which provides host connectivity and other functions, include SNA data compression and a capability that enables LAN-attached client machines running Novell's IPX/SPX software to acc ess host SNA data. New features for the OS/2 version of this product include support for a technology called Branch Extender, which simplifies the administration and management of large networks.

IBM also is offering new versions of its client communications software, Personal Communications for Windows 95 and Windows NT, that support industry standards as well as Microsoft technologies such as ActiveX and OLE.

In addition, IBM unveiled a new version of its eNetwork Host-on-Demand software, a Java-based product that gives users browser access to host data. The new version includes an application programming interface that bolsters security and lets users customize the interfaces.

Al Zollar, general manager of IBM networking software, says the vendor will differentiate itself in the crowded Web-to-host connectivity market by stressing its "enterprise-class dependability." "IBM knows what it takes to deliver the scalability, availability, and reliability enterprise customers require," Zollar says. " We also provide end-to-end universal access, from any platform and any protocol. And we allow our customers to make effective use of existing network infrastructures."

Toby Pennycuff, VP in the technology services group of Texas Commerce Bank, says the Houston bank has been pleased with the intranet performance of version 1 of Host-on-Demand. He's interested in upgrading to the new version.

Pennycuff is also interested in the Branch Extender feature of Communications Server. "Branch Extender does a nice job, because I don't have to define all kinds of network nodes and clutter up my directory in [Advanced Peer-to-Peer Networking]." he says.

IBM also has renamed its ARTour line of wireless networking products, now called eNetwork Wireless, and is testing new features. These include mobile access to host data, TCP/IP communication over wireless and dial-up networks, and wireless Web connectivity.

Most of the products and features will be available by the end of this month.

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