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)