Technology Reference Guide

	Technology Reference Guide 4. Network Operating Systems C. Banyan VINES

What is it?
VINES is a network operating system developed by Banyan Systems. The name stands for VIrtual NEtwork System. Native VINES is based on a modified UNIX kernel, runs on Intel-based platforms, and uses TCP/IP as its communications protocol. There are also versions of VINES that run as applications on standard UNIX variants, allowing UNIX systems of all sizes to act as VINES servers. VINES provides the standard printing, file sharing, and communications services characteristic of a network operating system. VINES is best known for its StreetTalk global naming services, which provide an enterprise-wide context for users, servers, and other system resources.

What does it do?
VINES StreetTalk provides a three-level hierarchy for naming users, servers, printers, and other network resources. These are the user (or device), group, and organization. Each user can be identified as user@group@organization. This is in contrast to the server-based user authentication used on Novell 3.X, and has historically been a major selling point for VINES in enterprise-wide environments.

VINES file system is capable of handling DOS, OS/2, UNIX, and Macintosh clients, and uses a UNIX-based file system, with name space support for non-UNIX file names. This allows it to be very seamlessly integrated with UNIX clients, and mixed PC and UNIX-host networks. It uses a typical set of user rights for protecting files and directories, but unlike Netware, these rights don't automatically flow from directories to subdirectories, unless specifically configured by the network administrator.

VINES provides a lot of flexibility in terms of the tasks the servers provide. For example, one can be dedicated to providing strictly file services, while another is designated as a print server or communications server. VINES describes their network paradigm as service-based, not server-based.

How is it used?
VINES has historically been the NOS of choice for enterprise-side PC networks, since it was the only one with a global naming service until the advent of Netware 4.X. It is also well-suited to UNIX environments with a mixture of PCs and larger systems. The StreetTalk naming service has recently been released as a standalone product called Banyan ENS, to be used with other operating systems such as Netware 3.X and IBM LAN Server. This brings the global naming functionality to these server or domain-based NOSs.

Where do I get more information?
Contact your local CBV Office.