Use
the FireNet software to network two or more computers together via their
1394 ports
The FireNet installation
Installing and using the FireNet network is easy and convenient. You simply plug
the Firewire cable and do a simple one-time software installation. FireNet is
a system-independent, software only product that gives you full Ethernet compatibility
with up to 400Mbps speeds. You will now have the equivalent of a 100Mbps Ethernet
network, only better, as speed is up to 4 times higher, and more reliable.
OS Support
FireNet is a full Ethernet emulation network and works seamlessly with all existing
Ethernet-compatible software and hardware. FireNet supports all of the standard
Ethernet protocols, including IPX/SPX, NetBEUI, TCP/IP, and AppleTalk. FireNet
is a cross-platform networking solution, meaning that it supports both Windows
and Macintosh OS, operating smoothly regardless of the platform(s) in use. Of
course, mixed (PC and MAC) networks are fully supported:
No new interface to learn
Firenet uses the existing, familiar interfaces on Windows and Macintosh platforms
in such a way that users who are already familiar with the environment proceed
as if nothing has changed. FireNet supports all of the built-in networking capabilities
on both Mac's and PC's. Users can share files, printers, scanners, hard disk
drives, and use the network security system and any other supported network facilities.
High performance - Low cost
Running at 400Mbps FireNet provides an up to four times performance improvement
over 100BaseT fast Ethernet. With FireNet, users do NOT have to purchase, install,
and configure network cards (as long as they have a firewire port available)
in their workstations. As a result they end up saving time and money. Further,
no hubs of any sort are necessary.
FireNet Benchmarking results
After careful testing with Ziff Davis's Windows NetBenchT under various conditions
of load, Unibrain is proud to announce that FireNetT is consistently far faster
than 100BaseT Ethernet.
Broad support
Undoubtedly, Firewire (IEEE-1394, i.Link) is the serial link of the future. Major
manufacturers like Apple, Sony, Compaq, Gateway, Dell, HP, etc. have already
built in a firewire port in their consumer or PC products. It is estimated that
in the year 2001 more than 70,000,000 units of PC and peripheral units adopted
the firewire technology.
Capabilities
FireNet does NOT use hubs, or routers. It does not require complicated cabling,
and does not require complex installations. On the firewire bus you may also
connect any IEEE-1394 multimedia devices (such as DV cameras, firewire hard disk
drives, IEEE-1394 enabled scanners, etc.) without affecting the stability of
the network, and operate them directly from any workstation on the network bus.
Firenet can coexist with Ethernet
Firenet can be installed in an existing Ethernet infrastructure without a problem.
Simply install the FireNet software in a server which has both an Ethernet adapter
and a 1394 port and which will play the role of the bridging device that will
connect the two segments of the LAN, thus creating a single logical network.The
1394 segment can be used for high speed/load connections without affecting the
Ethernet segment speed.
This capability is not inherent in the MacOS. In case you want to connect a 1394
Firenet network to an existing Ethernet network, you will have to use a 3rd party
solution, like Sustainable Softworks IPNetRouter software.
Simplicity
FireNet is an ideal network for SOHO installations, and for laptop to desktop
connections. The user can easily plug the PC laptop (or PowerBook) into the network,
simply connecting it into any available Firewire port. With no special operations,
instant updates, and file sharing from any computer in the network become available.
Applications
FireNet is an ideal solution for networks that need to take advantage of the
400Mbps transfer rate with the stability and flexibility it can provide. There
are three strong reasons why Multimedia (Audio-Video Editing) and Graphics houses
/ CAD houses can benefit greatly from the unique FireNet solution:
First, because of the vast amount of data being transferred; second, convenience
in dealing with the complicated hardware installations - peripherals that are
plugged in and out frequently; and third, because of the mixed platforms normally
in use for cost/performance reasons.