Note: This option in no way affects the actual number of authorized users or user
profiles on the system, but merely places an upper limit on how many IPX-based
client sessions can be physically supported simultaneously.
Conceptual Overview
Up to 30 active users are now allowed per server. (30 user profiles for ARES
servers).
All servers and workstations must run AspeNet software of the same version,
respectively. Do not attempt to run workstations on one AspeNet version and
servers on another. Ensuring AspeNet version compatibility is the best way to ensure
correct AspeNet operation.
A new version of IPX32SUP.COM must be loaded on all Servers and DOS
workstations. (Windows 3.1, Windows 95, and Windows-NT workstations do not need this file.)
All workstation feature-control passwords (non-ARES) must be re-issued.
All server passwords must be re-issued.
All user entitlement profiles on ARES systems will need to be re-transmitted
by the data provider.
Servers and DOS-based or DOS/Windows 3.1 AspeNet Workstations no longer
require IBM TCP/IP for DOS/Windows. Novell's TCP/IP stack has been adopted due to
problems in the IBM product, and because IBM has no plans to support the product.
Each Server requires Novell's TCP/IP Transport for DOS.
Novell's TCP/IP Transport for DOS must be installed on each DOS-based or
DOS/Windows 3.1 AspeNet Workstation.
Aspen Servers can support both IPX-based and IP-based workstations simultaneously. Any authorized workstation may use
either IPX or IP, whichever is more convenient for the workstation's configuration.
Workstations running on Windows 95, Windows NT, or OS/2 Warp Connect do not
require third-party software. These operating systems provide built-in support
for TCP/IP.
IBM TCP/IP software for DOS or DOS/Windows 3.1 is not supported.
More than 90% of network traffic due to news index retrieval has been
eliminated.
Additional internal enhancements reduce overall traffic between Workstations
and Servers.
These enhancements also improve the overall quantity of data transmitted.
Steady-state bandwidth usage has been reduced to about one-tenth of previous
versions. (Initial page-loading traffic is only slightly reduced.)
Response time of servers to workstation requests has been improved, especially
under heavy-load conditions.
Lag-time between data reception and workstation updates has been reduced to
virtually zero under most load scenarios.
Performance on IPX Servers supporting less than thirty users may be improved
by placing the “MU=n” argument in the server's command line. This argument
defines the ‘Maximum Users’ that can log into the server at any one time. Setting
the maximum users to a number less than thirty (30 is the default) limits the
amount of DOS memory pre-allocated for network data buffers. For example, on an
IPX server supporting only ten users, loading the server with the “MU=10”
argument releases about 150Kb of pre-allocated network data buffers. The server then
uses this memory in the cache or expanded-queue.
Remote Workstations
Workstations, especially those requiring feature-control passwords, will now
have a consistent system ID number, regardless of node-address fluctuations
caused by unpredictable dial-up host connections, software-based address selection,
or swapping of a workstation's network board. As mentioned above, a one-time re-issue of all workstation passwords is necessary when upgrading from v3.00.