What is StarLink?

Programmers: Steve Eddy, Jerry Katz, Don Mankin

[Retro Application, ALT-G for menu]

StarLink goes beyond most PC software; it is not a single program with a single user. Instead it is a powerful communications and user interface system for the data processing applications of a large corporation. StarLink is a software package which runs on a DOS based PC and makes it an intelligent workstation. StarLink’s intelligent workstations have the following features:

1. the power of network communications
2. the efficiency of windows
3. user interfaces that are flexible, easy to use and easy to create

Using the ﬁrst two features, network communications and windows, StarLink provides up to 16 windows for various host applications and terminal emulations.

As of July, 1990, StarLink can communicate with over 45 diﬂerent host applications using either 3270 or VTlOO emulation.

StarLink provides various types of menus, screens, and windows. Some are pop-up type menu boxes, others are instructions on a message line. StarLink also provides tools to make using these windows easier. These tools include adjusting the windows, browsing. taking snapshots, using the mouse, copying, and others. These window tools are described in this manual.

Using these features, StarLink has opened a path for cooperative processing in Paciﬁc Bell. Cooperative processing is a layered architecture that separates and distributes processing into discrete units. StarLink has been implemented for various projects in Paciﬁc Bell. Gemstar and StarCarrier implemented StarLink for 3270 emulations. Operations is testing StarLink for VTIOO emulations. As of July, 1990, StarLink has over 10,000 users. ln addition, there are several application-specific uses for StarLink currently under development.

StarLink is used as either:

' windows for terminal emulations, or
' a user interface for cooperative processing requestors and servers.

The StarLink workstation can run terminal emulations and cooperative processing concurrently in separate windows. Also, different windows can communicate with their host applications using different communications protocols.

A StarLink workstation is a DOS-based PC with the following. typical hardware:

~ color monitor with a VGA or EGA card
~ EtherNet network board
~ mouse (Starlink is speciﬁcally designed for using the mouse.)

StarLink workstations are connected to host applications through this EtherNet network board and through various types of gateways. In large installations. the StarLink workstation is usually installed with supporting ﬁle servers that provide logon security and user proﬁle infomation. These details are described in the StarLink Operational Reference Manual and the User Proﬁle Maintenance Manual.