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FTP's latest Network Access Suite offers sound connectivity
TP Software Inc.'s Network Access Suite 3.0 is a competent set of TCP/IP client-server utilities for Windows 95 and NT 4.0 machines that offers a foundation for Unix system connectivity from a Windows desktop. For sites that are heavily invested in Unix server technologies, Network Access Suite is a good choice, but it's not without some rough edges.
The first sticking point is that some inexpensive shareware applications duplicate the functionality of many of Network Access Suite's components -some of which aren't as useful as their shareware counterparts. Another problem: Network Access Suite doesn't come with any paper documentation. It's all on the CD-ROM. While I can appreciate FTP Software's desire to avoid printing manuals that might become obsolete quicklyand save on printing costs-I'd have preferred printed documentation.
Despite these problems, sites with sophisticated users, and systems administrators who want shrink-wrapped products, will be pleased with the offering.
Network Access Suite 3.0 maintains a close relationship with protocols and services typically associated with Unix servers. The package includes products that are clearly designed for Unix environments, and a fairly complete set of TCP/IP utilities-including a mail client called Mail OnNet, a Windows print client, terminal emulators called TNVT, and a network time client.
Network file access is provided through FTP Software's Interdrive NFS client and server. Network printing can also be accomplished via the Interdrive NFS client using either LPD (Line Printer Daemon) or NFS protocols. A backup program called Archiver uses the Unix Tar (Tape archive) format, or ETar (Extended Tar) format.
An FTP Software client and server called File Transfer is included, as well as a graphical front end to the Unix rsh (remote shell) and rcp (remote copy) programs, called Remote Utilities. A program called Query combines a graphical frontend client for finger, whois, quote, DNS lookup, and NIS lookup.
FTP Software's Keyview file viewer...