🚀 go-pugleaf

I am looking for a solution to connect about 200 IBM PC/XT/AT
type machines to a network of five VAXes. The five VAXes currently
run DECNET, while the IBM machines are currently not networked.

It is expected that there will be a good amount of isolated activity 
between the IBMs and so it seems desirable to perhaps try to build a 
separate network between the IBMs and somehow connect this network to the 
DECNET (via a bridge or some other device).

In terms of functionality, I'm looking for the following:

   -- a.  remote login (from IBM machines to the VAXes).

   -- b.  file transfer capabilities (from IBM machines to the VAXes,
          and from the VAXes to the IBM machines).

   -- c.  terminal emulation capabilities from the IBMs while logged
          in on the VAXes.

   -- d.  some kind of mail system that allows the users of the IBMs
          and users of the VAXes to have a common mail system.

The following are some of the alternatives that I'm aware of:

   -- 1. Install DECNET DOS on each of the IBM machines and make each
         IBM machine a DECNET host on DECNET. This is a DEC solution.

   -- 2. Install a separate PC network and connect it to DECNET via
         a bridge. Several vendors offer PC networks (e.g. Proteon, Novell,
         Banyan, 3Com, Ungermann-Bass etc.)

   -- 3. Run TCP/IP among the IBM machines and somehow connect this to
         DECNET.

I'd appreciate any information on the above three approaches plus any
additional ideas. I'd also appreciate receiving any advice on how to 
further approach the above problem. In addition, I'd especially appreciate 
any comments regarding both positive and negative experience with relevant 
vendor products.

If there is sufficient interest, I will summarize replies to the net.

Thanks in advance.

Asheem Chandna				CSNET:  asheem@case.csnet
Graduate Student,			ARPA:   asheem%case%csnet-relay.arpa
Computer Engineering,			USENET: decvax!cwruecmp!asheem
Case Western Reserve University.