MacX Over DECnet without PATHWORKS (1/95)


I want to run MacX on a Macintosh IIci (with Ethernet board) to a VAXstation using the DECnet protocol. Is there a software package to get the DECnet services? I know that I can use MacX with PATHWORKS to run DECnet, but I'm not sure if DEC wrote specialized software. In my case, buying PATHWORKS is not an option.

Since you aren't buying PATHWORKS for Macintosh, you need to get DECnet software called TSSnet from Thursby Software (Alisa also sells this Thursby TSSnet package). The VAXstation should be running DECnet, which comes with VAX/VMS. You miss the following two things by doing it this way:

* PATHWORKS includes DECwindows fonts that you will need when you run
DECwindows clients. If you buy MacX from Apple, you won't get these
fonts.

* PATHWORKS provides a DECnet object called MSAX$CLIENT, which allows
automatic execution of DECwindows clients from the remote Macintosh
running MacX server. Without this DECnet object (which does not come
with standard DECnet), you must:

* Log on to the VAX using a terminal emulator.

* Define a DECwindows display using the DCL SET DISPLAY command.

* Use RUN/DETACH or SPAWN to execute the DECwindows client.


Article Change History:
30 Jan 1995 - Reviewed for technical accuracy.

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Published Date: Feb 18, 2012