Micro as an ethernet terminal server

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In article <5676 at ecsvax.uncecs.edu>, howell at ecsvax.uncecs.edu (Doc A. Howell) writes:
> 
>   I am looking for a hardware/software combination that will allow 
> several terminals that are connected via asynchronous lines to a multi-
> user micro-computer running something like SCO Xenix to access an
> ethernet interface, such as the 3C501 Etherlink I, and connect to a 
> VAX. I got all of that in one sentence. 
>  
	.
	.
	.
> 
>   Now the hard part. It should also be possible to connect this multi-
> user micro to an ethernet via an internal ethernet interface card and
> make the micro act as a terminal server for the 32 attached terminals.
> I have found an Excelan product that does this but only for one user
> at a time. Not good enough. I want all 32 or at least a 50%, I'll take

I don't know what Excelan product you are talking about, but they do have
a product which will do the job.  They have at least two, on second thought.

Their Ethernet board will support 32 sessions, which translates to 16 remote
logins.  This has been confirmed by tech support at Excelan, since we have
a similar requirment.

They also have a product which will allow terminals to connect directly to
the Ethernet.  I don't have too many details, but I was told that it would
be a lot cheaper than going through a Xenix system.

A final note:  If you do go this route, use a 386 instead of a 286.  The 
thinking was that the remote login uses up a lot of cpu cycles, and that
a 286 might not be able to handle it.

Jonathan Bayer
Intelligent Software Products, Inc.