Wrestling with the Move from Twinax to TCP/IP?

Still Trying to Support a Multi-Protocol Network?

The World is Going IP, Are You?!

There are many good reasons to do so:

¨ Enhance performance throughout your network

¨ Add functionality to existing applications

¨ Eliminate problematic multi-protocol network support

¨ Save money by operating an efficient and optimized network

Is there a downside? Well, if you have Twinax cabling and devices and are thinking of moving to a LAN environment, you have a lot to think about. For example, will your trusty IPDS printers continue to perform? Will your data entry personnel continue to be productive? Will your network be as reliable?

Following is a discussion of four different options available to you. Click the links to learn the pros and cons of each option, and to discover which solution is right for your organization:

1. Replace Twinax equipment with PCs and LAN-based printers

2. Replace Twinax terminals with Ethernet terminals and use a Twinax to Ethernet Protocol Converter for Twinax printers

3. Replace Twinax terminals with Thin Clients

4. Preserve Twinax devices and integrate them into your IP network with a pure IP controller.

Option 1: Replace Twinax equipment with PCs and LAN based printers

Pros	Cons
¨ Share printers with LAN users and PC applications	¨ Possible complex networking issues
¨ More expensive to manage, cost of PC management very high	¨ Disruption / lost production
¨ Access to multiple applications	¨ Cost of replacement
¨ Improved performance for WAN users	¨ Retraining of personnel

Solution 1: Better On-Line Solutions offers two TCP/IP-based software solutions that meet the host access and TN5250e display/printing emulation requirements of this option:

¨ Jadvantage (browser-based, no client install, great for remote access)

¨ BOSâNOVA TCP/IP (LAN-based, small footprint, feature-rich)

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Option 2: Replace the dumb Twinax terminals with Ethernet terminals and use a twinax to Ethernet Protocol Converter for Twinax printer(s)

Pros	Cons
¨ Less expensive than option 1	¨ No additional applications supported
¨ Remote management keeps cost of ownership lower	¨ Cost of replacement
¨ No retraining required	¨ Disruption / lost production
¨ Keep investment in Twinax Printers
¨ Improved performance for WAN users

Solution 2: Better On-Line Solutions offers Ethernet text-based terminals – supporting 122-key keyboards and an upgrade path to BOSâNOVA thin clients – and an e-TwinPrint (Reverse Protocol Converter), to support a smooth transition from Twinax:

¨ BOSâNOVA TBT-400 (high performance Ethernet text-based terminals)

¨ e-TwinPrint or low-end e-Twin@x Controller (to maintain workhorse Twinax printers)

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Option 3: Replace Twinax terminals with Thin Clients

Pros	Cons
¨ Access to server based applications	¨ Replacement cost
¨ Low cost of ownership (software maintained only on server)	¨ Disruption / loss of production
¨ Embedded Terminal emulation for server independence	¨ Cost of Fat Server
¨ 122-key keyboard option comforts users	¨ Cost of Server access
¨ Lower power requirements than PC	¨ Cost of replacement
¨ Better MTBF than PC, no moving parts
¨ Lower security risks (control download of data to diskette)
¨ Better virus protection (control upload of unwanted programs)
¨ Improved performance for WAN users

Solution 3: Better On-Line Solutions offers two different thin client models, both include an embedded browser, TN5250e/TN3270e emulation, and an RDP client for Windows Terminal Server and an ICA client for Citrix Metaframe:

¨ BOSâNOVA LTC-300 and BOSâNOVA LTC-600

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Option 4: Preserve Twinax devices and integrate them into your IP network with a pure IP controller.

Pros	Cons
¨ Maintain existing Terminals and Printers	¨ No access to windows based applications
¨ Little or no disruption / loss of production	¨ Older technology (Twinax is not sexy)
¨ Lower replacement cost in most cases
¨ Improved performance for WAN users
¨ Only one IP address required
¨ No retraining required
¨ Text based email available
¨ Smoother implementation of disaster recovery (Dial back up, Hot spare, IP Rollover)
¨ Ease of management (Http access to controller)

Solution 4: Better On-Line Solutions offers the only true TCP/IP controller in the industry, allowing enterprises to leverage existing Twinax equipment while ensuring bandwidth efficiency, optimum network performance, and built-in disaster recovery tools.

¨ e-Twin@x Controller (the only true TCP/IP remote controller)

For more information about these solutions or to discuss the specific needs of your enterprise, please contact us at:

(866) 865-5250 (toll free) ♦ sales@bosanova.net ♦ www.bosweb.com