AppleTalk: WangNet Gateway Not Yet Available



I want to connect a LaserWriter directly to a Wang VS system. I also want to
maintain Macintosh access to the LaserWriter while doing this.

Is there some way to connect a LaserWriter directly to a Wang VS? If yes, is
there some way that Macintosh output can still be directed to the Wang system?

I also have made extensive use of Wang PCs with WangNet in another office, and,
consequently, have very few ADCs or EADCs. I want to have access to the Wang
systems from the Macintoshes over a network without having to buy dozens of
Shiva NetSerials and Wang ADCs (our current solution). Is there anyway to
replace the Wang terminals with Macintoshes having a window into the VS world.

Do you know of a WangNet/AppleTalk gateway? Do you have any other suggestions
for connecting Macintoshes to a Wang VS without having to purchase ADCs?

WangNet uses a dual-cable topology and has divided the cable's bandwidth among
a number of services: Wang Systems (also called Wang Band) dedicated
interconnect services (now Multivendor Services) Utility Band (Utility Service)
and the Peripheral Attachment Service. Each WangNet service uses its own set
of transmission techniques, each with its own form of access control, its own
data transmission rates, and its own place on the network's frequency spectrum.
Each also uses its own interfacing hardware.

Though Multivendor Services is an 802.3 service, accessible to Macintoshes with
Ethernet cards via their MAUs, as of December, 1989, there was no gateway
between the Wang Systems and Multivendor Services. Similarly, there was no
WangNet/AppleTalk gateway.

You might consider alternatives like serial connections for file transfers or
terminal emulation. These techniques that are well-documented in the Tech Info
Library and in the Apple Multivendor Network Solutions Guide.

One mail gateway is SNADS Gateway/MSMail from SoftSwitch, Inc. This product
lets Microsoft Mail 2.0 users exchange files with users of Wang Office, DISOSS,
PROFS, ALL-IN-1, and Hewlett-Packard Desk.

For more details, search the Tech Info library under "SNADS."


Published Date: Feb 18, 2012