Kaynet

"Kaynet" -- a sophisticated method for interconnecting numerous Kaypro computers which allows for the sharing of resources and information has been introduced by the Kaypro Corporation, the nation's fourth largest manufacturer of personal computers.

"Kaynet" has been designed to provide maximum flexibility by permitting users to network virtually anything that can be done locally on the computer. Every station attached to the network thus becomes a part of any member computer. As such, any linked user can share data stored on the disk drive of another station, or can direct his or her output to the printer attached to another computer. Also, an individual user can send and. receive mail, messages and complete files, as well as "log on" to the drives of another machine and run a program.

A practical system may utilize up to 20 Kaypro II, 4, or 10 computers in virtually any combination, while as many as 60 may be feasible. Thus, the power of a single computer is increased to the cumulative power of all computers attached to the network.

Information is transferred between computers connected by up to 1000 feet of standard telephone cable to maximize reliability and to minimize signal degradation over long distances. Because each computer in the "Kaynet" network is electronically and functionally identical to every other computer, the centralized weak link phenomenon, common to other networks, is eliminated.

If one of the units in the network fails, there is no disruption and all other units continue to function normally.

The principle component of the network is a Kaypro computer, into which has been installed a high-speed transceiver and network interface. The networking software supports nearly all conventional CP/M 2.2 programs without modification while supporting full network operations.

The software commands are clear, lean and powerful. All unnecessary frills are eliminated to maximize the avaiable disk storage for real programming and data, and to increase operating speed.

When accessing the network, the user may send short messages to any or all stations and alert the receiver(s) with a beep. Longer messages can be sent using a "Mail" command and are automatically stored on the disks of the receiving machines. All confidential information can be protected through the use of a password system.

"Kaynet" allows sharing all resources attached to any machine on the network, including as many disk drives (hard or floppy), printers and other peripherals as required by the users. Moreover, the unique portability of the Kaypro computers allows flexibility in the placement of individual stations.
("Kaypro Introduces 'Kaynet'" Press Release, November 28, 1983)

Kaypro Corporation, fourth largest manufacturer of microcomputer systems for small businesses, announced that it has begun shipping Kaynet, a sophisticated method of linking numerous Kaypro and other CP/M computers, thus allowing the machines to share common databases and resources.

This announcement marks Kaypro's intention to jump into the LAN [local area network] market legitimized by IBM. Kaypro is directly challenging IBM's LAN in two areas: price and availability. Kaypro's Kaynet costs only $300 to connect each computer to the system, while IBM charges between $700 and $1200. While IBM has not yet begun to ship its LAN, Kaynet is available immediately. In fact, Kaypro is the only microcomputer manufacturer ready and able to be a major player in the LAN market at this time.

The ideal Kaynet untilizes up to twenty New 2, 2X or 10 computers in any combination [each of which have the option of attaching a printer], while up to sixty four computers may be feasible. Kaynet provides Kaypro customers with all the functions of a high-end, multi-user system, wherein the disks, files, and printers resident to each computer are available to every user in the network.

Additionally, with Kaynet's unique design, it is not necessary to dedicate the resources of one or more computers to a "file server" status, as is the case with most network systems. This means that if one unit in the Kaynet system fails, all other units will continue to function normally. No longer will an entire company be forced to cease operations because "the computer is down".

An interoffice communications system is also built into Kaynet, allowing electronic distribution of memos at any time to any desk.

David Kay, Kaypro's Vice President of Sales and Marketing, stated, "Kaynet provides the missing element in microcomputer development. We can now provide the serious business user with the power of a mini-computer, at the price of a micro system."

Kaynet is licensed from Orange Compuco of Costa Mesa, California. Kay indicated that Kaypro has been evaluating local area network systems from outside suppliers for over a year. "Kaypro wanted to find a system that met some very strict criteria," he said. "The network system had to be inexpensive to buy and easy to set up; it had to be simple for the average business user to integrate and understand. But most important, it had to be reliable. Orange Compuco's ULCnet met and exceeded our requirements. The final result--Kaynet--is totally inkeeping with Kaypro's philosphy of producing complete, uncomplicated, and low cost systems."

Printing becomes more like a data processing environment, with any printer accessible by any computer. Kaynet will print to disk files which later may be "queued" [lined up] to any printer. The actual printing occurs as a background function, and does not interfere with the operator's primary task at a station.

Kaynet in available through authorized Kaypro dealers nationwide.
("Kaypro Introduces Networking: Kaynet" Press Release, February 1, 1985)

Unofficial CP-NET Documentation