This FAQ is designed to answer some of the most common questions people have when they are first learning about FacetWin. If you still have unanswered questions, please contact FacetCorp.

What is FacetWin?

FacetWin is the all-in-one Windows to UNIX integration software solution. It includes all of the features required to let PC users transparently access and use the resources of their UNIX-based servers. Product features include transparent file and print services, terminal emulation, Internet modem server, PC to UNIX backup/restore, PC agent, a mail server, remote computing support, and graphical administration.

Who was FacetWin designed for?

Organizations where the computing environment includes one or more UNIX servers and Windows-based clients. FacetWin was designed to provide a complete Windows to UNIX connectivity solution that combines the power of the UNIX operating system with the ease-of-use of Windows.

Is FacetWin a UNIX or Windows based application?

FacetWin is a true client/server implementation where parts of FacetWin run on UNIX and parts on the Windows PC. The file services and print services run only on the UNIX server. The terminal emulator, PC backup, and PC agent features run on both the client PC and the UNIX server. From a user standpoint, it is very Windows oriented because it allows them to operate with UNIX applications, files and printer resources as though they were native Windows resources.

What UNIX servers does FacetWin work with?

FacetWin works all with major brands of UNIX. See the Platforms Supported list for details.

What Windows clients are supported?

All versions of Windows are supported going back as far as Windows 95 and NT 3.51.

Is FacetWin easy to install?

Depending on the UNIX server you use, it takes about 10-20 minutes to load and configure FacetWin on the UNIX server – even for novices! It takes only a minute or two to download the FacetWin terminal emulator over the network and install it on a PC.

How is FacetWin administered?

There are two ways to administer FacetWin. 1) Virtually all of the FacetWin features can be managed through the graphical administrator from a Windows PC. Any connected FacetWin server can be easily managed using the familiar Windows "properties" tabs by an administrator with UNIX root privileges. The context sensitive help fully describes any fields the administrator may be unfamiliar with saving them the time of looking something up in the manual. 2) Or, if the administrator prefers, they may work directly with the UNIX text files to perform the simple administrative functions.

Is there a way to communicate messages from the system administrator to users on the system?

Yes. The FacetWin PC Agent can be used to send messages from the administrator to users.

How much disk space is required on the UNIX server?

FacetWin uses about 7MB of disk space on the UNIX system.

How much disk space is required on my PC?

FacetWin uses about 5MB of disk space on the PC. Unlike traditional connectivity applications, FacetWin does not require you to load Network File System (NFS) on each PC to perform file and print services. Instead, FacetWin takes advantage of CIFS / SMB server technology which is the native Microsoft network protocol for file and print services. Therefore, the PC already has all the software necessary for these file/print services. The FacetWin components which install on the PC are the terminal emulator, the on-line help files, the graphical administrator, and the PC agent, all of which are optional installations.

Why CIFS / SMB?

SMB, now referred to as CIFS (Common Internet File System) is a defining feature for FacetWin and was chosen for several reasons. First, CIFS is the standard protocol that Microsoft uses for file and print services. It makes more sense to install a CIFS server on a relatively small number of UNIX servers than to install NFS clients on lots of PCs. Lastly, NFS-based solutions tend to cost more both to purchase and administer - again because they must be installed and configured on each PC.

What does "transparent" file and print mean?

Transparent simply means that the file and print services work the way users are accustomed to - the Windows way! FacetWin takes advantage of Microsoft tools wherever possible to enable you to drag and drop files located anywhere on the network. UNIX systems and printers simply show up in the "Network Neighborhood", appearing as local resources available and ready to use. In short, transparent means that PC users can use the UNIX resources on the network without having to give up their Windows interface.

What terminal emulations are supported?

FacetWin includes support for VT emulations, Wyse 60/50, SCO ANSI Color Console and IBM 3151 and 3164 emulations.

What does FacetCorp know about terminal emulation?

Plenty. As developers of FacetTerm, the award winning UNIX multi-session software, FacetCorp has provided support to users on hundreds of different terminal models since 1987. FacetTerm works with virtually every character-based terminal and every terminal emulator. Because of this background, the FacetCorp staff knows more details about these terminals than anyone.

What makes the FacetWin terminal emulator different?

FacetWin is unique in the marketplace in that it is a client/server application. By retaining some of the code on the UNIX server, FacetWin provides such benefits as only using one UNIX license per user (rather than 1 per user session). In addition, by working with our application server software on the UNIX host, we were able to include our QuickLaunch™ feature in FacetWin. This feature is easier to use and more elegant than the complex scripting solutions used by other emulators to automate login and application launching. The FacetWin terminal emulator also includes the Window Watch™ feature for automatic user notification of events occurring within the terminal emulation window.

What is QuickLaunch?

QuickLaunch is a feature that uses the Windows "properties" tabs to setup a UNIX application with a Windows icon in less than a minute. The UNIX application can then be launched by simply selecting the icon from the Windows desktop. Or, FacetWin can automatically log you into the server and launch the application during the PC system start-up.

What is Window Watch?

Window Watch is a feature that was first made available with FacetTerm, the award winning multi-session software product. It monitors terminal emulation activity and notifies you of events such as the arrival of email, or the completion of a report running in another window.

Why does FacetWin include a PC Backup utility?

Customer input. System Administrators said that they would love to have a way to backup all of the PCs data files on the network at scheduled intervals. Most PCs today are simply not getting backed-up. FacetWin provides a convenient way to know that files on every desktop system are being backed up regularly – with the ability to restore data to any (or all) of them on an as-needed basis.

What is the PC Agent?

The FacetWin PC Agent is a graphical interface for the user to manage their PC backup and modem services. This utility, which runs on the client PC, also provides messaging to the users from the system administrator, as well as from the FacetWin software.

What type of networks does FacetWin support?

PCs can be networked to the UNIX server via ethernet using TCP/IP, across the Internet using a VPN or via dial-up connections using PPP.

Are evaluation copies available?

Yes! Free of charge. The FacetWin evaluation copies come with complete on-line documentation and free technical support during the evaluation period. It works for up to 50 users during the 30 day trial. The 30 day evaluation period begins as soon as the product is installed on the UNIX server.

Where can I get an evaluation copy?

You can contact your favorite UNIX software distributor or reseller, or get an evaluation copy directly from FacetCorp on CD-ROM. You are also invited to download a copy of FacetWin from our Free Evaluation area. However, licenses are purchased through our authorized distribution channels.

What does it cost?

FacetWin is priced on a per-user basis. We do not list our complete price list here because FacetWin is sold worldwide, and the pricing varies from country to country. However, a single user license carries a suggested list price of $195 in the United States, with significant discounts for multiuser licenses. Contact your UNIX software supplier for a specific price quotation.

Is there an extra charge for each server where I want to run FacetWin?

No. FacetWin is priced on a per-user basis. So while the FacetWin license(s) is managed from the server(s), it is only counting PC client users. FacetWin will also share the license(s) between any number of Unix servers. For example, you might have a 100 user FacetWin license on 1 Unix server. This license could be shared by two other Unix servers running FacetWin. So any of the 100 users could access any of the 3 Unix servers.

How are licenses for thin clients handled?

FacetWin is licensed for each user who receives the benefit of the FacetWin services. So in the case of using Windows Terminal Server or other thin client environments (such as Citrix), each thin client user is required to have a purchased license.