DIGITAL Equipment, one of the world's premier producers of client-server networks, has announced a new set of software that promises to make it easier for IT managers to organise and manage their networks. Included in the announcement are ServerWORKS Manager, ServerWORKS Quick Launch and ClientWORKS. ServerWORKS Manager will be shipped free of charge with all Prioris PC servers. This new software incorporates Digital's ManageWORKS software as a key component. This should ease print managing, file creation, user accounts, LAN domain and directory configuration, and support for simple network management protocol (SNMP). SNMP devices such as bridges, routers, hubs and switches can be managed from any point on the LAN. The software uses a Windows-based graphical user interface (GUI) that uses colour-coded events for ease of use. ServerWORKS Quick Launch is a suit of utilities on a CD-ROM that is intended to simplify what is called the 'out-of-box experience'. In other words, these utilities should make it easier to set up the server. The utilities include applications for assisting configuration, installation and diagnostic analysis. Although the applications can be used by anyone, DEC is hoping retailers will be happy with it because it is they who often install and set-up large numbers of similar systems. ClientWORKS is a new name for Digital's desktop management application suit. The entire line of Digital's desktop and mobile PC clients now supports the industry standard desktop management interface (DMI). The idea behind much of this, according to Digital, is that IT managers are being asked over and over again to 'do more with less'. In order to accomplish this, they need tools and resources to run, repair, upgrade and manage larger systems with fewer engineers. ClientWORKS can make the running of a network easier by, among other things, providing a detailed look at the sub-components of each Digital PC on the network to determine chassis serial number, type and quantity of memory installed, available number and type of slots, CPU information, BIOA revision data and much more, says Digital. The ClientWORKS software is based on industry standards and should, therefore, work with applications from other companies and PCs from different manufacturers. Both ServerWORKS Manager and ServerWORKS Quick Launch will be shipped with every Prioris PC server as of December 1. Digital has also announced the Celebris XL 6150, based on Intel's 32-bit Pentium Pro, and a Pentium Pro upgrade card. Digital's workstations can run on Intel's Pentium or Pentium Pro processor or on Digital's own Alpha chip. With Digital's processor-independent machines, the only thing that has to be done is plug in the appropriate card. The Celebris XL 6150 comes with a minimum of 16MB of RAM, a 256KB packaged cache, a 1.44KB floppy disk drive, keyboard and mouse. In the mid-range, there are options such as a quad-speed SCSI CD-ROM drive, Matrox Millennium 3D Graphics Adapter, one-GB SCSI hard disk and Windows NT. High-end configurations feature 32MB of RAM, CD-ROM drive, AccelGraphics AG300 3D Graphics Adapter, two-GB Wide SCSI hard disk, and an Adaptec Ultra SCSI Adapter. Windows NT is also factory installed.
