VM/386 Technical Specifications



VM/386 is a 32-bit, preemptive (time slicing) multitasking, multithreading, multiuser operating system. It is available in 3-, 5-, 9-, and 32-user versions.

MAJOR FEATURES:

DOS/Windows Compatibility:
  • DPMI support. Supports applications written to the 0.9 specification of the DOS Protected Mode Interface standard.
  • Microsoft Windows support. Each graphics user can run his or her own enhanced or standard-mode Windows 3.11 environment.
  • File and record locking. Supports DOS file and record locking.
  • No hard-disk reformatting is required at installation. No special partitions are needed.

Memory:
  • Virtual memory/demand paging. The hard disk can be used to simulate more memory than is physically available.
  • Software disk caching. RAM can be used as a disk cache to accelerate disk input/output.
  • Load Drivers and TSR's high. Drivers and TSR's can be loaded in high memory, making up to 780 K available to all applications.

Multitasking:
  • Multitasking. Up to 250 preemptively multitasked sessions are supported per server.
  • Multithreading. Applications can dynamically spawn new virtual machines in order to process tasks in parallel.
  • User definable hot keys. Users can customize key combinations used to switch between applications.
  • True MS- or PC-DOS . Each virtual machine (VM) runs its own copy of MS-DOS or PC-DOS and is completely insulated from the others. Each VM can have its own AUTOEXEC and CONFIG files and its own TSR's.
  • IPC (InterProcess Communication). API which allows virtual machines to share memory.

Security:
  • Data security. Users have private logins and passwords and are given disk-, file-, and directory-access rights.
  • Communications security. Remote sessions that become disconnected are automatically reset.
  • Manager Security. Full manager security prevents unauthorized access to management functions.

Printers:
  • Global printing. Any user can print from any printer connected to any workstation (local or remote).
  • Simple management. Print spooling is managed locally or remotely via the VMMANAGER screen.
  • Versatile printing. Capture up to 7 devices (LPT1-3, and COM 1-4) per session.

Expansion:
  • Novell NetWare and NetBIOS emulation. Supports most applications written for NetWare and NetBIOS.
  • Network connectivity. Local and remote users can share a single connection to most major networks.
  • Virtual COM support. Ports on serial multiport boards can be used as COM ports, for modems, for cash drawers, etc.
  • Maximum system RAM. Support for up to 192 Mb RAM.
  • Peer to peer networking via LANtastic.
  • Miscellaneous support: SVGA support, ASPI support, ASCII terminals, fast SCSI-2 hard-disk drives, hard-disk mirroring, tape backups, banks of daisy-chained CD-ROM's, multiplexors, and most other devices important for mission-critical multiuser applications.
  • Multiple Network logins and single point of entry into multiple networks with NetPak Plus add-on.

Management:
  • Windowed Manager. Easy to use manager interface.
  • Remote management. An authorized user can access the VM/386 Manager screens from any workstation, local or remote. User needs can be handled without going on site.
  • Takeover capability. VMGRAB utility allows managers to view and provide keyboard input to other sessions/stations.
  • Job Scheduler. VM/386 can automatically execute programs or batch files at predetermined times, with no user intervention.
  • Utilities. VM/386 comes prepackaged with close to 50 management utilities to increase functionality and productivity.

Remote Users:
  • Remote-user support. Allows multiple remote users to multitask sessions.
  • Remote user time out and carrier detect that will reboot if the carrier is lost.

PCTERM terminal emulator:
  • Program that allows 8088 PC's and up to serve as VM/386 workstations.
  • Emulates a color-text (CGA) terminal, connected via modem or null-modem cable, at baud rates up to 115.2 K.
  • Supports up to three printers at each PCTERM node.
  • Provides it own dialing directory.
  • Includes a scripting language with a scheduler for automating activities such as polling to and from a VM/386 host.

VM/386 System requirements:
  • Host: 386/486 SX or DX, Pentium, Pentium Pro, or MMX Pentium PC with at least: 4MB RAM (plus memory for each user);4 MB hard-disk space; one floppy drive; MDA, Hercules, CGA, EGA, VGA, SVGA host video adapter; PC- or MS-DOS 3.3 or higher.
  • Workstations: PCTerm compatible terminals, PC's running PCTERM, direct VGA graphic workstations, Wyse 50 and VT100 terminals.

Product family:
  • VM/386 comes in 3-, 5-, 9-, 32- and 64-user licenses.
  • IPC (InterProcess Communication) is an API which allows virtual machines to share memory.
  • VMMENU, VMMAIL, VMCHAT are utilities which help users organize their work and communicate.
  • PCTERM is a terminal-emulation TSR, provided free of charge with VM/386.
  • NetPak Plus allows users multiple network log-ins and a single point of entry into multiple networks.

To learn how you can benefit from VM/386, please contact your IGC Sales Representative.


VM/386 Specifications
VM/386 Technical Support
VM/386 Retail Price List
NetPak Plus
VMMENU, VMMAIL, VMCHAT
IPC