Palo Alto, CA, May 18, 1992 -- Micro Focus is shipping Fileshare NLM, a
high-performance application file server for multi-user applications
running on a Novell network. It provides shared access to multiple files,
record locking, file update logging, roll-forward recovery and transaction
processing. Shared files may be accessed through standard COBOL
Input/Output (I/O) syntax or through a special call interface. Fileshare
NLM runs on a Novell NetWare server and manages the shared files.
Application programs run under DOS or OS/2 using the client portion of
Fileshare Version 2, which is provided as part of Micro Focus Operating
System Extensions (OSX).

Performance 

Fileshare NLM substantially improves the performance of COBOL file
processing on a Novell network. It redirects COBOL l/O requests from the
local workstation to the file server. Each request is then processed by
Fileshare NLM, and a single reply is sent back to the workstation. This
reduces network traffic relative to standard record locking techniques. In
addition, the file handler caches frequently accessed data, reducing
unnecessary reads and writes.

Recovery Logging 

Fileshare NLM can perform a roll-forward recovery when files are corrupted
due to a power outage or system failure on the server. Fileshare NLM logs
updates to shared files in a recovery log. Recovery is accomplished by
restoring the affected files from backup copies and then applying updates
from the log.

Transaction Processing 

Fileshare NLM allows applications to group multiple file updates in a way
that guarantees that the information in those files are kept mutually
consistent. Fileshare NLM takes advantage of Micro Focus extensions to the
COBOL language to allow applications to determine whether a set of file
updates should be applied or rolled back, effectively leaving the file as
it was prior to the updates.

Two-Phase Commit 

Fileshare NLM maintains data integrity when running a single application
where multiple servers are involved Fileshare NLM uses a two-phase commit
protocol that polls each server to determine whether it is able to commit
before issuing the commit request itself. In this way, if a server has
lost power or is experiencing a system failure. data does not become
committed inconsistently across the multiple servers.

Common Communications Interface 

Fileshare NLM uses the Micro Focus Common Communications Interface (CCI)
for network communication. CCI supports the Novell IPX communications
protocol and requires that client systems use the appropriate Novell IPX
modules for their operating environments. Micro Focus OSX provides CCI IPX
modules for DOS, Microsoft Windows and OS/2.

Fileshare Monitor Support 

Fileshare NLM supports the Fileshare Monitor Facility supplied with Micro
Focus Toolset. The Fileshare Monitor Facility (FSVIEW) gives a network
supervisor the ability to view and manage Fileshare NLM servers remotely.
FSVIEW is designed to run on a client machine and give the supervisor
access to one or more server machines. The network supervisor can use
FSVEW to perform many functions including display Fileshare NLM
utilization figures, display active user details, display open files
details for all users, close open files, and log off users.

Micro Focus is the leading developer of COBOL compilers and programmer
productivity tools for business application development. Micro Focus
products are available on micro, mini and mainframe computer systems and
support many standard and proprietary operating systems. The company
developed the first National Bureau of Standards-certified ANSI'85 COBOL
compiler. Micro Focus COBOL also conforms to the IBM Systems Applications
Architecture (SAA) standard, the X/Open standard, and is FIPS PUB 21-2
compliant. Micro Focus is a member of the IBM International Alliance for
AD/Cycle.

Micro Focus Inc. 2465 East Bayshore Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303
(415) 856-4161    Fax: (415) 856-6134

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