Ethernet/Unix Local Computer Network Delivers Electronic “Mail” at Comdex
Information Display · 1982
Ethernet/Unix Local Computer Network Delivers Electronic ~~Mail" at Comdex Electronic messages zipped back and forth over a single yellow EthernetrM coaxial cable snaking between several exhibits at the computer Dealers Exposition in the Las Vegas Convention Center.The messages were being sent and received on computer systems equipped with Ethernet controllers and transceivers, and were located at each of the participating booths.In addition to the Ethernet local computer network hardware, each computer system was running a UNIXrM-based operating system plus 3Com Corporation's UNET networking software.The UNIX-based operating systems were XENIX from Microsoft and DYNIX from Santa Cruz Operation and Tymshare.This arrangement permitted these systems both to coexist on the same cable and to pass messages and files among them.As such, it is the first public demonstration of a multivendor Ethernet/UNIX local computer network.3Com Corporation, Mountain View, CA, organized the network and supplied the Ethernet hardware and the UNET software to each participant.The Ethernet UNIX network connected the systems at the 3Com, Lifeboat, Micro Focus, Microsoft and TRW booths.Messages could be sent from any station to any or all other stations and recipients could claim their individual messages by typing in their names at any on of the system terminals.Networking Via Emerging Standards "The real point of the demonstration is to show a 'turnkey multivendor' local computer network," said --