Sunbelt Windows NTools^tm Electronic Newsletter
Vol. 1, # 13
USA: www.ntsoftdist.com
EUROPE: www.sunbelt.co.uk

Sunbelt Windows NTools News is designed for NT System Managers that have the job of getting and keeping WinNT up & running in a production environment. Sunbelt launched this electronic newsletter so that we could keep members of the Windows NT community informed and aware of what is happening with 3-rd party tools, and to provide hints and tips that will enable you to better understand and utilize Windows NT. You'll find general Windows NTools related and third party news, technical information, and 3-rd party beta and release information. By subscribing to WinNTools News, you are also automatically enrolled as a charter member of the Sunbelt Field Test Bonus Program.

This Issue of Windows NTools^tme-news contains:

1. "EDITORS CORNER"

2. "TECH BRIEFINGS"
DISKEEPER 2.0 RELEASE CANDIDATE SENT OUT THUMBNAILS OF ALL SUNBELT U.S. PRODUCTS

3. "NT RELATED NEWS"
* LAN TIMES REVIEWS WINDOWS NT SERVER 4.0
* WFW FILE MANAGER & 4.0 COMBO BUG REPORT
* SALES OF MICROSOFT WINDOWS NT SERVER 4.0 SKYROCKET
* NT TO SUPPORT INTEL'S IA-64 ARCHITECTURE

4. "THIRD PARTY NEWS"
* NEW BETA OF NT SCRIPTING LANGUAGE: XLNT
* SOFTWAY SYSTEMS RELEASES NEW PRODUCTS IN THE OPENNT PRODUCT LINE
* HOW EXPRESS METER CAN HELP YOU GET MORE OUT OF YOUR BUDGET
* KIXTART REALLY USEFUL LOGON SCRIPT PROCESSOR
* OCTOPUS AND INTERGRAPH ANNOUNCE FAULT TOLERANT PACKAGE
* CHEYENNE DELIVERS OPEN FILE BACKUP CAPABILITY
* NETWORK-1 UNVEILS FIREWALL/PLUS FOR WINDOWS NT

5. "HINTS AND TIPS"
* FIVE TIME SAVERS THIS TIME!

6. "HOW TO USE THE MAILING LIST"
Instructions on how to subscribe, sign off and change addresses.

"EDITORS CORNER" EXPANSION NEWS: NTools E-News has grown 15% in the last 2 weeks only! We now have over 4,800 subscribers and about 100 new ones come in per day.As we promised before, at 5000 subscribers we'll have a web version.It looks like next week you will be able to read us 24x365 via our newdomain on the Web: www.ntnews.com! Forward this issue to all your friends.

Ntools <Opinion Point>: Listen for a moment to all the noise that somepeople are making about being able to change WS into SV and that they are paying too much for SV. Can I be so bold to say "give me a break". Microsoft spends a billion or so to develop a high class server O/S as a true descendent of VMS and UNIX. Licenses for these normally go for (tens of) thousands of dollars. So they decide to price it only $1,000for servers.Making it available for the workstation they know they cannot charge even that, so they twiddle some knobs in the registry and voila: a workstationversion. People complaining should be GLAD NTWS is only 300 bucks andhave a world class O/S for practically nothing. </Opinion Point>

UNDO department: In our last issue we wrote "Microsoft makes switch to Novell Easy". An awake reader remarked "Are you SURE you didn't mean, 'switch FROM novell'??? ;-)". Gulp, ummm, <blush> Just checking if you guys were really reading this stuff! <grin>.

This issue is again LOADED with news, the Networld+Interop Show is in Atlanta and a lot of interesting things are happening. It is a thrill to watch the NT Market. Win NT sales are skyrocketing. Let's get goin'!

Warm regards,

Stu Sjouwerman

**************************************************************************
2. "TECH BRIEFINGS"


* DISKEEPER 2.0 RELEASE CANDIDATE SENT OUT

Executive Software told us yesterday that they are sending out the
Release Candidate for Diskeeper 2.0. This could mean we will have the
2.0 (which is ready for NT 4.0) downloadable as an upgrade in about two
to three weeks. Up to that point you can download the FREE BETA 2.0
if you need to defrag your new 4.0 systems. Exec Software Tech Support
also emailed us these instructions if you are upgrading from 1.x to 2.0:

Uninstalling Diskeeper under Windows NT 4.0

*** WARNING ***

Do *not* run the Diskeeper Uninstall program after upgrading to Windows NT 4.0, or attempt to install Diskeeper 1.0x on NT 4.0. Either of these actions may replace Windows NT kernel files with older versions from Windows NT 3.51. You will then be unable to reboot.

To update to Diskeeper Lite or Diskeeper 2.0 from Diskeeper 1.0x, perform
one of the following actions:

1. If you are about to update your version of Windows NT 3.51 to NT
4.0, do these steps:=20
A) Uninstall Diskeeper prior to upgrading to Windows NT 4.0
B) Update to Windows NT 4.0
C) Install Diskeeper Lite or Diskeeper 2.0

2. If you have updated your version of Windows NT 3.51 to Windows NT 4.0 but did not uninstall Diskeeper first, send us an email for furtherinstructions!

3. If you upgraded to Windows NT 4.0 and have run the Diskeeper Uninstall program, you will have to use the Windows NT 4.0 repair disk; Windows NT 4.0 will fail on reboot.

Batch Job Server: Batch Job Server is a batch job management environment for Windows NT. You can manage and schedule the queuing and execution of Windows NT batch files (batch jobs) submitted by users, programs or other host systems. Batch JobServer is a 32-Bit Windows NT service. It can be installed on either a Windows NT server or workstation.

Blues For Windows - IBM Mainframe Link: Blues for Windows NT gives you connectivity from Win NT systems to all major vendor gateway's. Blues allows connectivity to all IBM mainframes via 802.2 DLC, IBM SDLC, or X.25 QLLC protocols. The administrative application maintains a single network database of all information required to configure and maintain Blues for the whole LAN. Truly the Blues administrative functions set the Blues apart from the rest of the pack.

Purveyor NT Web Server Software with Encryption: Build your own Webserver for the Intranet or Internet. A powerful environment that has been given numerous awards for completeness, user friendly features and simple operation.

SuperDisk-NT - First NT RAM DISK
Sometimes it makes a LOT of sense to have piece of memory that behaves like
a disk. Especially when you are interested in speed! Superdisk allows you
to specify an amount of RAM to be drive S: which increases throughput an
order of magnitude. Ideal for software compilation, webservers, RDBMS index
files and large graphics files.

Remotely Possible32-NT:Remote Control for Win NT.
Fantastic tool to remotely control a Server or Workstation. You can do
EVERYTHING that you normally can do except slip a diskette in the computer.
Remote reboots, changing passwords, change control panel settings, and twice
as fast as pcAnywhere! You can take over a system and show the user what the
problem is, have a chat session and copy files bidirectional all at the
same time.

Kane Security Analyst for Win NT!
The best time to think about the security of your Windows NT LAN is before
it gets broken in to. The Kane Security Analyst does a thorough checkup
of all the critical and vulnerable points in your network, and warns you
about the weak links in the chain. The analysis is fast and thoroughly
documented. Suggestions for fixes are provided instantly. Running KSA
provides you with the certainty and proof you have done everything you
can to detect and prevent intrusions of your corporate mission critical
data.

Norton NT Tools
You've chosen a powerful Operating System. Now Norton NT Tools gives
you a set of proven tools to enhance your investment. Automatically scan
and eliminate viruses, quickly manage files on both local and network
resources, and easily monitor and view key system information. At last
you have an essential set of proven tools to both enhance NT and optimize
your time

Trusted Enterprise Mgr. - Powerful Distributed User Management
Are you bogged down with daily LAN Administration chores? Is your day
consumed resetting passwords, modifying user properties, and creating/
removing users? Would you like to off-load these routine LAN Admin
tasks? If so, then Trusted Enterprise Manager is for you. TEM looks
and behaves like Microsoft's native NT User Manager requiring minimal
additional training.

GoldFax - Faxing for Win NT! (Now For 4.0)
Gold-Fax is an enterprise-wide fax solution for Windows NT networks.
Gold-Fax server software can be run on any Windows NT system in the
network, and Gold-Fax client software works with any Windows desktop
application. Gold-Fax for Windows NT does not require a system to be
dedicated as a fax server. Gold-Fax provides a simple, yet effective
approach to electronic faxing. Specifically designed for multiple-user
networks and systems, Gold-Fax is a standard network print service,
so documents and files can be faxed as easily as they can be printed.
Soon integrated with Exchange.

WhatsUp - NT Network Sanity Check
WhatsUp is an inexpensive, graphical network monitoring tool that
initiates both visual and audible alarms when monitored network
elements do not respond to polling. WhatsUp will even notify you
remotely by digital beeper, alphanumeric pager, or e-mail.
WhatsUp is easy to use, can be installed wherever needed, and
does not require expensive, dedicated hardware.

Express License Metering!
Express Meter controls access to applications to ensure license
compliance, and gives you the reports you need to prove it.
What's more, Express Meter can save you up to 80% of your software
costs - as much as $1,000 or more per user on software from
Microsoft, Lotus, and WordPerfect - while actually increasing user
access to the software, all for just a few dollars per user.
It also ensures compliance with the legal requirements of a System
Administrator.

PerfMan - NT Performance Management!
PerfMan gets you full control of the performance metrics from your
complex network of servers and workstations, identifying exception
conditions in the network and providing early warning of future
performance problems. PerfMan supplements Microsoft's NT Performance
Monitor with significant data management, trend analysis, and=
reporting capabilities, resulting in immediate alerts, proactive
performance management and capacity planning.
------------------------------------


**********************************************************************

3. "NT RELATED NEWS"

* LAN TIMES REVIEWS WINDOWS NT SERVER 4.0
This is a short item, go over this URL and have a look for yourself!
http://www.lantimes.com/lantimes/96aug/608b007a.html.
----------------------------------

* WFW FILE MANAGER & 4.0 COMBO BUG REPORT
>From the list servs:
I have uncovered a significant bug in the way NT 4.0 handles file
management when using the File Manager included with Windows for
Workgroups or Windows 95. The bug manifests itself when executing a file
copy using the WFWG or Win 95 file manager to copy files from a NT 4.0
server share that has been compressed by the operating system. Whether
you select copy from the file menu or attempt a file manager drag and
drop, the copy operation always executes as a MOVE! We have documented
this problem with Microsoft Product support.

This anomalous behavior does not happen from the command line, Explorer,
NT file manager or when copying from two UNC share windows. But it does
happen with the file manager code from WFWG or Win 95. As soon as you
decompress the folder being used the behavior disappears! I have
verified this behavior on six different NT 4.0 build 1381 boxes
(Proliant 4500's, Deskpro 5100's etc). The problem exists with new
installs as well as when upgrading from NT 3.51. The problem did NOT
exist in NT 4.0 beta 2 which we used extensively before upgrading all
servers to NT 4.0 production code.
-----------------------------------

* SALES OF MICROSOFT WINDOWS NT SERVER 4.0 SKYROCKET

Microsoft released the following very good news: The NT Server 4.0 sales
have reached more than 150,000 units in the first 30 days since its release.
Large corporations are deploying Windows NT Server 4.0 and migrating from
legacy network operating systems because of the scalability capabilities,
comprehensive Internet and intranet functionality, and lower cost that
NT Server 4.0 provides for their mission-critical operations. The large
organizations deploying Windows NT Server 4.0 include Bell Atlantic Corp.,
Continental Airlines, General Motors Corp., Lockheed Martin Corp., Monsanto
Co. and Saturn Corp.
-----------------------------------

* NT TO SUPPORT INTEL'S IA-64 ARCHITECTURE

Microsoft & Intel announced at NetWorld+Interop that they are developing
NT for Intel's future 64-bit processor family, IA-64. This joint effort
will result in a common 64-bit software environment for Intel's Merced
processor with broad industry support.

This combination will provide seamless support for existing Pentium Pro
applications and new applications optimized for IA-64 processors.
Customers with applications that need fast access to extremely large
databases will benefit from being able to address data of almost
unlimited size
-----------------------------------

**********************************************************************

4. "THIRD PARTY NEWS"

* NEW BETA OF NT SCRIPTING LANGUAGE: XLNT
http://www.advsyscon.com wrote: We are happy to report that XLNT
(eXtended Language for Windows NT) FT4 is just days away from being
released for download (it should be September 11, 1996). We've added
numerous features and improvements to the product which we hope you
will like.
SET HOST capability WILL be a part of XLNT at no further charge. Aside
from several component improvements (a Windows version of SET HOST for
example), no additional improvements, other than bug fixing, will be
done to XLNT as the product nears release.
Here are some of the XLNT features which have been asked for the most.
Not all improvements have been noted. There are just too many.
These features aren't listed in any priority order.

XLNT V01-004 (FT4):


XLNTCGI image:
A new image which supports XLNT's use as a CGI scripting language.
See our web site for an example, http://www.advsyscon.com

New Language Statements:

STRUCTURE: A new facility for defining structures and associating
them with symbols. Structures can be nested as well.

LOOPING Statements: XLNT now supports FOR, WHILE and UNTIL
statements with formal loop block structures.

SHOW SYSTEM, MEMORY, MACHINE, PROCESS commands:
SET HOST facility:
More lexicals:
We heard and obeyed!!! (Most VMS lexicals are now in place)
F$GETSYI, F$GETDVI and F$GETJPI are available.
F$GETVARIABLE supports retrieving WinNT/95 environment variables.
F$FORMATDATE/F$FORMATTIME provide complete date and time
formatting support.
F$ENUMDOMAIN, F$ENUMMACHINE and F$ENUMSHAREPOINT make remote
system administration a snap. These lexicals allow a
procedure to determine domains, machines within a domain,
and sharepoints within a machine. The machines and
sharepoints are provided in UNC format for direct XLNT
use.
New SERVICE Commands:INSTALL, REMOVE, START, STOP, PAUSE, RESUME and SHOW.
New DUMP Command: Just like VMS. You can dump a device and/or files=20
in various formats. New SEARCH Command, Improved CLI Messages, Command=20
line HELP: Absolute, Delta and Combination Date/Time support is now=20
present in XLNT. Numeric Overlay and String Replacement.
----------------------------------


* SOFTWAY RELEASES NEW PRODUCTS IN THE OPENNT=99 PRODUCT LINE

Users and developers have a new way to run UNIX=99 applications natively
on Windows NT. Softway Systems, Inc., developer of OPENNT for NT,
announced the immediate availability of three new OPENNT products
that extend UNIX technology to the Windows NT platform. The products are:
OPENNT Commands and Utilities, Release 1.1: a substantially enhanced
version of the previously released UNIX-style operating system
environment including command shells and suite of POSIX and UNIX
utilities.
OPENNT Software Development Kit , Release 1.1: a complete environment
for developing and porting UNIX applications on Windows NT.
OPENNT Telnet Server, Release 1.0: a multi-user telnet service for
Windows NT.
The OPENNT product family addresses the integration, migration and
portability issues of users and developers that use, manage and maintain
UNIX and Windows NT application environments. Softway Systems is
building the OPENNT product line under a long term agreement with
Microsoft Corporation
"Our goal is to provide a complete product line that gives corporate
developers, systems integrators and ISVs an easy way to solve their
UNIX-Windows NT application dilemma." said Douglas Miller, CEO o
Softway Systems, Inc. "By enabling developers to quickly and easily run
UNIX applications on their Windows NT platforms, we will ultimately save
customers millions of dollars in engineering, deployment and training
costs." More info at their website:
http://www.softway.com/opennt/
-------------------------------------

* HOW EXPRESS METER CAN HELP YOU GET MORE OUT OF YOUR BUDGET

License Metering is extremely helpful to make sure how many concurrent
licenses you need for your organization. It also allows you to check
how many people (possibly) have made illegal copies of software and
take action to keep your Lan legal. We have found at one of our
customers that it can save you up to 70% of your applications
budget (think soon Office 97) by only purchasing the amount of licenses
you really need. Forward this little item to your CIO, and tell them
there is an excellent NT license meter available. He'll be very happy!
-------------------------------------

* KIXTART REALLY USEFUL LOGON SCRIPT PROCESSOR

KiXtart is a Microsoft Windows NT 3.x / Microsoft LAN Manager 2.x
logon script processor. With it, you can conditionally display
information, set environment variables, start programs, connect to
network drives and/or change the current drive and directory using
a free format 'script language. Although the program is intended to
be used as a logon script processor, it can also be used as an enhanced
batch language. (for example on Basic workstations) Have a look at:
http://netnet.net/~swilson/kix.html
--------------------------------------

* OCTOPUS AND INTERGRAPH ANNOUNCE FAULT TOLERANT PACKAGE

Octopus Technologies, Inc. has teamed with Intergraph Computer Systems
Server Division to debut InterSite Mirroring & Switch Over, the first
package in a series of full-featured real time data protection and fault
tolerance solutions for Windows NT servers. This initial offering --
which includes two copies of Octopus ASO, Version1.6, two Intergraph
network interface cards (NICs) and cables =16 ensures users of business
continuity through robust disk mirroring and automatic switch ove
capabilities. The bundle will be available as an option for Intergraph's
entire line of InterServe servers based Windows NT and Intel Pentium and
Pentium Pro processors.

"After evaluating a multitude of options, we selected Octopus' NT-based
fault tolerance solution due to its advanced technology, flexibility
and position as the market's premiere solution for high data availability and
fault tolerance, said Wade Patterson, president of Intergraph Computer
Systems.
"With a level of quality, reliability and ease-of-use that is unmatched
by any other competitive product, Octopus ASO adds an extra strategic
advantage to our line of leading-edge servers for the corporate environment."
Download an eval copy of Octopus at the Sunbelt website:
http://www.ntsoftdist.com
---------------------------------

* CHEYENNE DELIVERS OPEN FILE BACKUP CAPABILITY

Cheyenne Software has unveiled a new version of its backup software that it
claims is unique in being able to back up "open" files. This means files
which are in active use by a user on the server or PC.

The new Backup Agent for Arcserve is available for NT and NetWare.
Officials with Cheyenne say the package is especially useful for backing
up systems that are online 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Backup Agent for Open Files is the first product resulting from the
company's acquisition of Quotient International in July of this year.
Cheyenne's Web pages are at http://www.cheyenne.com
--------------------------------

* NETWORK-1 UNVEILS FIREWALL/PLUS FOR WINDOWS NT

Network-1 Software and Technology announced that it will unveil
FireWall/Plus(TM) for Windows NT at the Networld + Interop.
FireWall/Plus for Windows NT, the first and only multiprotocol and
end-to-end network security firewall in the industry, is designed
especially for the Windows NT operating system to protect networks from
attacks via the Internet as well as the Intranet.

FireWall/Plus for Windows NT uses stateful inspection technology that
operates at the application, circuit, frame (LAN), and packet levels. It
exceeds the capabilities of proxy-only firewalls by simultaneously filtering
traffic at any layer of the communications architecture for any protocol or
application. Based on Network-l's unique technology, FireWall/Plus operates
with the NT operating system in "kernel mode" and is able to intercept
traffic before it arrives at the operating system level. This unique
facility offers an extra layer of security far more advanced than those
contained in other security products. Using Network-1's "interception"
technologies at the lowest levels of the network path to and from NT,
network attacks on the NT operating environment are defeated long before NT
is affected.

A free 30 day, fully functioning copy of FireWall/Plus for Windows NT
(Enterprise Edition) will soon be available on Network-1's web site:
http://www.network-1.com
----------------------------------


*********************************************************************
5. "HINTS AND TIPS"

1) a) Just so that you can set a BOOKMARK...
MICROSOFT WINDOWS NT HARDWARE COMPATIBILITY LISTS
http://www.microsoft.com/hwtest/ and
http://www.microsoft.com/ntserver/hcl351/hclintro.htm
b) Microsoft's beta DFS (Distributed File System) you can find at:
ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/msdownload/DFS/

2) It is best to save your data, delete beta or reformat drive space
and then load 4.0 gold from scratch if you were only running beta.=20
Advice from MS engineer.

3) Have a look at Nick's Links. A page loaded with NT related links.
Another one for your bookmarks!
http://netspace.net.au/%7Enik/

4) It looks like Microsoft took out the FTP server out of Workstation.
Nope, just moved, you can have ftp enabled using the Peer web services!

5) Microsoft Corp.'s Index Server, which is part of Windows NT 4.0,
was not included in the shipping product. However the Index Server
is available for download FREE from Microsoft's Web site at
http://www.microsoft.com/ntserver/search/

6. "HOW TO USE THE MAILING LIST"
Instructions on how to subscribe, sign off
and change addresses

TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIST

send the command 'subscribe nt-list firstname lastname'
as the first line of your message to listproc@intnet.net
_____________________________________________________

TO QUIT THE LIST

send the command 'signoff nt-list' or 'unsubscribe nt-list'
as the first line of your message to listproc@intnet.net
_____________________________________________________

TO CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS

First unsubscribe and then resubscribe as per the
procedure above.

*************************************************

FOR MORE INFORMATION

On the World Wide Web point your browser to:

USA: http://www.ntsoftdist.com
EUROPE: http://www.sunbelt.co.uk

Email for US sales information to:
ntsales@ntsoftdist.com
Email for US Tech support to:
daved@pssi.com

Email for European Sales to:
chris@sunbelt.fr
Email for European Tech support to:
robdixon@sunbelt.demon.co.uk

webmaster

Legal Stuff:
This document is provided for informational purposes only. The information contained in this document represents the current view of Sunbelt Software Distribution on the issues discussed as of the date of publication. Because Sunbelt must respond to changes in market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Sunbelt and Sunbelt cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information presented after the date of publication.
INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND FREEDOM FROM INFRINGEMENT.

The user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and the use of this document. This document may be copied and distributed subject to the following conditions: 1) All text must be copied without modification and all pages must be included; 2) All copies must contain Sunbelt's copyright notice and any other notices provided therein; and 3) This document may not be distributed for profit. All trademarks acknowledged.