Installation guide
AlphaNET Installation Guide, Revision 05
Chapter 1 - Introduction
PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE
Constructing and planning a network takes a bit of thought. Although building an AlphaNET network is
not difficult, as time goes by, you may find your simple two- or three-node Ethernet network needs to
expand to reach out to other AlphaNET networks or to non-AlphaNET networks such as Novell® PC
LANs, or UNIX TCP/IP networks. Some of these combinations can become incredibly complex, with
multiple AlphaNET and PC networks tied together via gateways, and consisting of hundreds of nodes. A
PC might be used both as a terminal on an AlphaNET network (via the AlphaNET/PC product) and also
be connected to a PC network making use of a Novell file server.
The point is, since networks tend to grow and evolve, it is a good idea to start out with the future in
mind. As you begin to set up AlphaNET networks, keep in mind the possibility that other AlphaNET
networks in your company (within the same building or across the country) may eventually spring into
being, and may need to be connected to your original network. Also keep in mind how you will connect
your AlphaNET network to other non-AlphaNET networks, and how PCs will fit into your total network
plan. Develop an overall plan on how networks, groups, and nodes will be numbered, and how ersatz
files containing network definitions will be updated and distributed to all networks to provide consistent
network access.
For guidelines on building a very simple, two-computer Ethernet network, see Chapter 2.
ALPHA MICRO COMMUNICATIONS PRODUCTS
Some of the Alpha Micro communications products that can be used with your AlphaNET network are:
• AlphaNETBuilds a network to allow AMOS-based computers to communicate over an
Ethernet and/or serial cable connection. This book contains information on setting up such a
network.
• AlphaNET/PCAllows a PC to connect to an Ethernet AlphaNET network. An additional piece
of software is required to allow this PC to function as a terminal
a terminal emulation package
such as AlphaLAN. Installing AlphaNET/PC is documented in the AlphaNET/PC Release Notes
and Installation Guide. This product is included with the AlphaNET release.
• PC GatewayAllows an AlphaNET Ethernet network to connect to a non-Ethernet network such
as a Token Ring network. See the PC Gateway Release Notes for information on this product. (A
“PC gateway” is not the same as the simple gateways discussed in Chapter 5 of this book, which
permit multiple AlphaNET AMOS-based networks to be connected through a single node.) This
product is available separately from AlphaNET.
• AlphaTCPAllows AlphaNET computers to connect to and use industry-standard networks that
use the TCP/IP protocol. TCP/IP networks allow access to many large networks at educational
and government institutions. AlphaTCP also allows you to use the global Internet, which offers
access to millions of nodes and hundreds of databases and news groups. For information on