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Those who are contemplating changing network operating systems or running server-based applications in their enterprise should seriously consider IBM's OS/2 Warp Server. Version 4.0 offers many compelling features at a competitive price. And for shops using Lotus Development Corp.'s Notes, OS/2 Warp Server is the platform of choice.
Warp Server, which shipped late last month, unites OS/2 Warp's multitasking with LAN Server 4.0 and includes a comprehensive set of system management services. Unlike previous versions of LAN Server, Warp Server is a complete network operating system (NOS) solution. Therefore, you won't have to invest in a lot of separate IBM products.
OS/2 Warp Server doesn't currently support symmetric multiprocessing (SMP),but IBM plans to offer a free SMP upgrade to Warp Server users in the third quarter.
Run for the money
The basic edition of Warp Server supports approximately 120 clients. The high-end Advanced edition supports as many as 1,000 clients and includes an improved High Performance File System (HPFS386), fault tolerance, enhanced Pentium optimization, and the ability to set disk limits.
Warp Server supports DOS and all variants of OS/2 and Windows network clients. The NOS includes the client code and you have to pay only for the number of concurrent connections. So, if you install 100 new workstations, you don't necessarily pay 100 license fees.
The new pricing structure is extremely competitive for IBM and advantageous for its customers. Eventually, IBM will provide the means to meter client connections, but for now, it's all on the honor system. However, you can use a Windows 95 client as a management console for OS/2 Warp Server.
At last, an easy IBM installation
Warp Server's installation program could very well be the best IBM has ever produced, particularly for such a complex, feature-rich product.
The product offers two installation options - Easy and Advanced. The Easy option installs OS/2 Warp Server using defaults on the C: drive. And, if you're installing Warp Server over a previous version of OS/2, the operating system preserves the current OS/2 desktop settings.
I installed OS/2 Warp Server Advanced on a Compaq Computer Corp. Deskpro XL...