FTP Software, the company that ported TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) to the Intel-based platform from Unix 10 years ago, is to offer new connectivity options based on Internet technology as computer network managers evaluate upgrades to 32-bit clients. OnNet32 2.0, a software suite that hides network connections from the user, allowing ordinary Windows desktop applications to function with single-click data feeds through TCP/IP, was previewed last week at FTP's new regional office in Singapore. The suite release this month is timed to pre-empt Microsoft's launch of Windows NT Workstation 4.0, a client OS that will compete with Windows 95 for space on desktops in future network upgrades. Graeme Vanderstoel, director of FTP Software sales for the region, said the increased availability of network bandwidth in Asia was also an important motivator for OnNet32's adoption and for the company's expansion in the region. The company is investigating the formation of subsidiaries in Hong Kong and a number of cities in China. It already has its software enabled for double-byte characters for the Korean and Japanese markets. OnNet32 includes tools such as Enhanced Mosaic Web browser, a mail client, an FTP server and client, an archiving function and KEYview - a filter that allows users to view files with obscure formats from floppy disk, hard drive or e-mail connection when the particular hard drive does not have the necessary software. It also includes advanced security features. FTP has been mindful of security issues in relation to the Internet and only recently completed the acquisition of British software firm Firefox, a specialist in TCP/IP gateway provision for Novell NetWare environments. Mr Vanderstoel said FTP's TCP/IP software had 28 per cent of the world market, according to IDC's 1995 figures. That includes sites such as the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, several Hong Kong academic institutions and the MTRC, installations Mr Vanderstoel said were made through local distributor and integrator Datalink. 'Our direct presence in Asia will not affect the way we sell our software, it just makes us more prominent,' Mr Vanderstoel said. He said FTP had been in the Intranet business for years. 'Now it is flavour of the month,' he said. 'We have the products that can help computer users manage and connect to their own network.' OnNet32 2.0 is the second 32-bit version of the suite, although fresh code work on 16-bit versions aimed at the 130 million installed base of Windows 3.1 would continue, Rebecca Buisan, product marketing manager for OnNet, said. Ms Buisan said OnNet32 had been future-proofed with the inclusion of emerging standards such as Winsock 2.0 (the Windows socket for TCP/IP) and the upcoming version 6.0 of TCP/IP. FTP is a participant in the Internet Engineering Task Force and has authored dozens of papers for submission to the standards committees for TCP/IP 6.0 or TCP/NG (new generation), as it is sometimes called.
