Apple Announces ARA 3.0
Adds Support for PPP and Open Transport Offers Ease-of-Use and Improved Stability and Performance
MARKHAM, Ontario--Aug, 5, 1997--Apple Canada Inc. announced today version 3.0 of the Apple® Remote Access (ARA) family of products, which includes the ARA 3.0 Client and ARA 3.0 Personal Server. ARA 3.0 has been rewritten from the ground up for Open Transport, and now includes support for both Apple Remote Access Protocol (ARAP) v2.0 and point-to-point protocol (PPP), providing customers with the capability to access network and computer resources remotely over standard phone lines, cellular services, and ISDN including the Internet via an Internet Service Provider.
According to Apple's vice president of Platforms and Technologies Marketing, Jim Gable, ARA 3.0 will appeal not only to the current ARA users, but also to large Mac® OS installations. "Customers have asked us for a solution that allows them to access their AppleTalk networks over PPP, as well as for enhancements to the Mac OS that allow them to migrate to networks that exclusively use TCP/IP--ARA 3.0 makes that possible. ARA 3.0's support for industry standards, both PPP and TCP/IP, extend the cross-platform capabilities of the Mac OS and make it so the ARA 3.0 Client and Personal Server can connect and communicate easily with Newton, Windows, or UNIX systems," said Gable. "Moreover, ARA 3.0 appeals to large Mac OS installations who are looking to standardize on PPP for remote access to AppleTalk & TCP/IP services on their networks, and who want to easily transition from their current Mac OS-only ARAP based systems to a system that also supports their Windows users," he added.
Network administrators who have been part of ARA 3.0's beta test have been enthusiastic about the product. "We have tested ARA 3.0's IP and AppleTalk® capabilities and found it to be a quantum leap from version 2.1. The biggest improvements are in speed and reliability. The IP performance is much better than ARA 2.1. In addition, because its interface is similar to Open Transport it is easier for users to set up and use," said Joe Schnide, system administrator at Cray Research/A Silicon Graphics Company, an ARA Beta Site.
ARA 3.0 Product Family
ARA 3.0 integrates industry standard technologies including point-to-point protocol (PPP), the dominant standard for multi-protocol remote access. In addition, Apple has transitioned to the Mac OS's modern, high-performance networking architecture, Open Transport. Leveraging Open Transport capabilities, ARA 3.0 is the first version of remote access accelerated for Power Macintosh® and uses native code on PowerPC-based systems. New Open Transport-style user interface simplifies ease-of-use, and integrates ARA into the Open Transport family making the remote access experience consistent with the modern Macintosh®. Additional improvements include updates like Scripts that support 56k Modems, Apple Guide on-line help, and the simplicity of one software package to make both ARAP & PPP connections. ARA 3.0 is compatible with all ARA 2.X installed clients and servers. There are two products in the ARA 3.0 family, which are highlighted below:ARA Client allows a customer to easily dial into a remote network and use its AppleTalk and TCP/IP network services. The client's support of PPP allows customers using Mac OS based computers to use the same dial-in infrastructure as other clients, such as Windows-based PCs and UNIX workstations. PPP is a multiprotocol standard, and ARA 3.0 will support both AppleTalk and TCP/IP "out of the box." ARA Client 3.0 also includes a Control Strip module to make it more convenient to connect and disconnect, as well as a built-in Apple Guide for online assistance.
ARA Personal Server software enables individuals to easily access their Mac OS computer, and any AppleTalk and TCP/IP networked resources from a remote location. Built-in PPP support makes TCP/IP servers available to clients running on nearly any operating system--it turns a Mac OS computer into a single-telephone line remote access server. Support for PPP allows customers using any client,which supports PPP and TCP/IP or AppleTalk to connect to the ARA Personal Server and access network services. These include Mac OS-based clients such as ARA 2.1 or later Client, as well as numerous Windows and UNIX clients.
Two Types of Connections Possible
ARA 3.0 can access servers that support either the AppleTalk Remote Access Protocol (ARAP)
or the point-to-point protocol (PPP). ARAP offers access to AppleTalk applications such as
file sharing or printing, while TCP/IP applications like web browsers and Internet email
can be used if there is an IP Gateway on the Remote LAN. PPP implementation in ARA offers
access to both AppleTalk and TCP/IP applications if the PPP server supports both AppleTalk
and TCP/IP. PPP servers that only support TCP/IP, such as those used by ISPs, can only use
TCP/IP applications on the client. ARA 3.0 replaces functions of both Open Transport/PPP and old ARA versions.
Completion of Three-phase Product Roadmap Plan
ARA 3.0 completes a three-phase product roadmap announced in June 1996. In Phase I of the
ARA product roadmap, Apple delivered upgrade 2.1 of its ARA family of products, which included support
for 28.8 modems and ISDN. These products were Open Transport compatible, and could be used
on Mac OS systems using either Classic networking or Open Transport. In Phase II, Apple began
the transition to Open Transport-enhanced dial-up networking, through the introduction of Open
Transport/PPP, an extension to Open Transport delivering PPP support, an industry standard
that provides access to multi-protocol networks. This first release of Open Transport/PPP
supported connection to TCP/IP networks. In Phase III, Apple's release version 3.0 of its ARA
product line includes an enhancement to Open Transport/PPP to allow concurrent support of
AppleTalk & TCP/IP over PPP, as well as Open Transport-Enhanced support for ARAP. On PowerPC
Processor-based Mac OS systems, both Open Transport/PPP and the ARA 3.0 family will offer the
benefits and performance of native code.
System Requirements
Apple Remote Access 3.0 Client and Personal Server require a Mac OS-based computer with a
minimum of 8MB of RAM, Mac OS version 7.1 or later, Open Transport 1.1.1 or later, an Apple
or other Hayes-compatible 9600-bit/second or faster modem or ISDN Terminal Adapter and a
modem cable with hardware handshaking. ARA 3.0 Personal Server also requires a CD-ROM Drive.
All required system software and Open Transport updates needed to use ARA 3.0 are included
for users with Mac OS 7.1 or later.
Pricing and Availability
ARA 3.0 is scheduled for availability at the end of August 1997 and is available through Apple authorized resellers. The ARA Upgrade product will be available direct from Claris by calling 1-800-361-6075, and via Apple authorized resellers. All prices are estimated Canadian retail prices. |
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| Client | Personal Server | |
|---|---|---|
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| ARA 3.0 | $79 | $179 |
| ARA 2.1 * | $79 | $139 |
| ARA 3.0 Upgrade | $59 | $99 |
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* ARA 2.1 will continue to be offered for as long as is warranted by demand.
Apple Computer, Inc., a recognized innovator in the information industry and leader in multimedia technologies, creates powerful solutions based on easy-to-use personal computers, servers, peripherals, software, personal digital assistants and Internet content. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple develops, manufactures, licenses and markets solutions, products, technologies and services for business, education, consumer, entertainment, scientific and engineering and government customers in more than 140 countries.
Apple Canada Inc. is headquartered in Markham, Ontario and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Apple Computer, Inc. Apple products are available at more than 300 Authorized Apple Canada Dealer locations across Canada.
Apple Canada's home page on the World Wide Web: http://www.apple.com/ca/.
Customer Information Contact: If you are considering the purchase of an Apple product and would like to have product information faxed to you, please call 1 (800) 263-3394 in Canada. If you do not have a fax machine or would like to locate an Authorized Apple Canada Dealer near you, please call 1 (800) 665-2775 extn. 450.
Apple, the Apple logo, ARA, AppleShare, Macintosh, PowerBook, and Mac OS are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the individual companies and are respectfully acknowledged.
