🚀 go-pugleaf

[ I've made several previous attempts at posting this article. However, when
  I post it to several newsgroups at once, it seems that it has only gone to
  the first one listed, which happens to be moderated. I'm now posting it to
  each group separately. I apologize if multiple copies turn up in any of the
  non-moderated groups. -PG ]

   Greetings to all. This is my first foray into any of the newsgroups listed,
so I'm not sure whether my message is appropriate to them. If it isn't, please
just ignore it.

   Since my task is not very well defined, I have to ask my questions in rather
broad terms. I will be glad to provide any further information that might be
needed in order to get the right answers, provided I can find it. That may not
be easy.

   I've been asked to look into any available communications software and
hardware for the Sun 386i, which supports SDLC, async, and bisync protocols. It
isn't necessary for one product to support all three, but that would probably
be advantageous. We are looking for anything available from Sun (although it
doesn't seem that there is anything) or from third-party vendors.

   The current product which we are attempting to replace has the following
capabilities:

   1) Async File Transfer--TTY Async Protocol for sending
      as well as receiving. Supports menu selectable flow
      control, data rate, parity, and code set (ASCII or
      proprietary).

   2) Bisync File Transfer--2780, 2770, 3780 versions of
      Bisync protocol for receiving only. Supports
      selectable data rate and code set (ASCII or EBCDIC).

   3) Terminal Mode--Generic Async only. Provides access
      to timesharing systems to initiate file transfer and
      provides communications monitoring.

   4) String Translate--user programmable data format con-
      verter.

   Note that (4) is not essential, since it can be done via a separate
function. However, if such a facility is available, it would be a plus.
Speed is also an important consideration.

   This is all to run under Unix, on the Sun 386i.

   Anyone who has such a product available, or has used one, or could
even get me in touch with someone who has first-hand information, can
contact me via e-mail at the address below.

   Thank you for your assistance.
-- 
Pete Granger            ...!{decvax,ulowell,ima,ism780c}!cg-atla!granger
Associate Software Engineer
Agfa Compugraphic, Wilmington, MA
(508) 658-5600 ext. 5191