Using Invisible LAN with Windows 3.X

This article contains information on Invisible Software's product InvisibleLAN and its use with Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.1, and 3.11 and Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1 and 3.11. The following topics are included:

• Using InvisibleLAN with Windows version 3.0
• Using InvisibleLAN with Windows version 3.1
• Using InvisibleLAN with Windows version 3.11
• Using InvisibleLAN with Windows for Workgroups version 3.1
• Using InvisibleLAN with Windows for Workgroups version 3.11

Version Requirements

The following list contains the InvisibleLAN version requirements necessary for compatibility with the various members of the Windows family of products:

General Information

InvisibleLAN provides both nondedicated and dedicated MS-DOS file server operation in a peer-to-peer environment. Two versions or "flavors" of the InvisibleLAN software exist:

• The Adapter Dependent ("AD") or "standard" version of the software, which functions with Invisible Software's proprietary twisted-pair and Ethemet adapters. All of the Ethernet adapters sold by Invisible Software since mid-1992 are NE1000 or NE2000 compatible without further drivers necessary.

• The Adapter lndependent ("A.I.") version of the software, which supports NE1000/2000 and Western Digital 8003/8013-compatible adapters. Versions of InvisibleLAN beginning with 3.20 also support Token Ring and DLink-chipset NE2000-compatible adapters. Versions of InvisibleLAN beginning with 3.41 additionally support any type of adapter that includes an NDIS driver, as long as said driver declares itself to be an Ethernet driver (hence allowing even Arcnet adapters to be used).

InvisibleLAN's ULTRA Server, an add-on dedicated file server product, provides dedicated file server services to an InvisibleLAN network with full compatibility with the Windows family of products. Installing in only minutes and requiring no special disk formatting, ULTRA Server requires a 386SX processor or better and claims to be the world's fastest PC network server (and has been tested as such for networks between four and twenty-four stations). ULTRA Server is capable of supporting 100 nodes or more.

Special Note on Windows Version 3.0 and Windows for Workgroups Version 3.1

Because of the substantial number of changes and improvements Microsoft has made since the release of Windows 3.0 and WfW 3.1, Invisible Software highly recommends that Windows be upgraded to version 3.1 and that Windows for Workgroups be upgraded to version 3.11 in conjunction with the installation of InvisibleLAN. This recommendation is due to functionality issues in the Windows products, not because of known problems or compatibility issues in the InvisibleLAN product.

Installation

Windows Versions 3.0, 3.1 and 3.11

Installation into Windows versions 3.0, 3.1, and 3.11 is achieved by using the Windows Setup program, either at the DOS level or within the Windows product itself.

1. Enter the Windows SETUP program.
    
2. In the applicable network list box, choose Other Network and supply the path C:\NET30.
    
3. Select the appropriate driver from the list of choices displayed:
    
   • In versions of InvisibleLAN prior to 3.50, a single choice of "Invisible LAN" is displayed, which should be chosen.
      
   • In version 3.50, choose "Invisible LAN for Windows 3.0 and 3.1". (There is a second choice that says "Invisible LAN for Windows 3.11", but this second choice only works with Windows for Workgroups.)
      
   • In version 3.51 and later, choose "Invisible LAN for Windows 3.0, 3.1, and 3.11". (There is a second choice that says "Invisible LAN for Windows for Workgroups 3.11", which is used only with Windows for Workgroups.)
      
4. The necessary drivers will be copied. If performed within Windows, restarting will be necessary.

Note: Beginning with version 3.52, there is a program called QSETUPW that performs the installation process automatically in one step, and also creates the Invisible LAN program group.

Windows for Workgroups Versions 3.1 and 3.11

NOTE: Due to the length of the installation procedure for Windows for Workgroups, it shall not be covered in this document. Users are advised to consult the WORKGRP.TXT file, typically found in the README subdirectory under the NET30 directory. Invisible Software recommends using the "Multi-Net" install procedure for greatest compatibility, interoperability, and functionality.

SPECIAL NOTE: In certain cases, predominantly those in which a previous, non-Windows for Workgroups version 3.11-compatible version of lnvisibleLAN existed on the machine, the Windows product will fail to copy the new versions of certain files necessary for the proper operation of InvisibleLAN to the Windows directory, although it appears that this is occurring correctly. This appears to be a deficiency in the Workgroups product. Should network version or other incompatibility errors occur after installing InvisibleLAN, simply manually copy the following files from the NET30 directory to the specified destination directory and restart Windows:

386-Enhanced Mode

386-Enhanced mode is usable on all stations in an InvisibleLAN network, be they servers or not. This is true of all versions of both standard Windows and the Workgroups products.

Special Note on Print Servers

On machines running 386-enhanced mode that are also serving as print servers, it may often be necessary to run Invisible Software's Print Spooler Demon program to facilitate timely handling of spooled print jobs. The PSDEMON.EXE program forces Windows to allocate more resources toward the print spooler. Slow printing problems have been especially pronounced running WordPerfect and AutoCAD products, but may occur, to some extent, simply sitting idly in Program Manager.

Installation is achieved by creating an icon for the PSDEMON.EXE program and placing it in Windows' STARTUP group. If the InvisibleLAN Program Group had been previously created by using Invisible Software's SETUPW.EXE program (included in versions 3.41 and later) or QSETUPW.EXE program (included in versions 3.52 and later), the PSDEMON icon can simply be moved (or copied) there. PSDEMON has no configurable parameters, requires very little memory (under 6K), and is not known to be incompatible with any other software.

Notices: Copyright 1994 by Invisible Software, Inc. Invisible Software and InvisibleLAN are trademarks of Invisible Software, Inc. Other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

This document was prepared on 09/23/94, and was believed to be accurate as of that date. Procedures, specifications, and compatibility may change without notice, and therefore this document may be out-of-date and/or inapplicable to current product versions. Invisible Software provides this document "AS IS" and without warranty of any kind. Under no circumstances shall this document be construed as creating or expanding any warranty of product performance.

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