Chapter 1. Introduction
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## Chapter 1. Introduction

This chapter describes the main features of SoftWindows, and explains how it enables you to run PC applications on your UNIX workstation.

## What is SoftWindows?

SoftWindows is a complete IBM-compatible PC in software. It allows you to run Windows and MS-DOS applications on your UNIX workstation as if they were running on a PC.

It combines full PC compatibility with fast performance and built-in networking, so, for example, you can receive electronic mail, read PC-formatted CD-ROMs, and print PC files to a network printer, all from your UNIX workstation.

### SoftWindows: a cross-platform solution

SoftWindows is available for the leading RISC-based UNIX workstations from Hewlett-Packard, Sun/SPARC, IBM, and Silicon Graphics, as well as Apple's Power Macintosh computers.

SoftWindows provides integrated access to information throughout an organization by letting PC users and UNIX users share the same data and applications. From one workstation users can run native UNIX applications, Windows and MS-DOS applications, and also use PC-based networked systems.

SoftWindows allows you to standardize on today's popular productivity applications, such as Microsoft Office and Lotus SmartSuite on PC, UNIX, and Macintosh platforms, throughout the organization.

### Pentium processor emulation

SoftWindows provides full emulation of the Intel Pentium processor, enabling you to exploit the full functionality of current PC software.

Among the features provided by this emulation are:

- The ability to run Windows 95

- Continued support for OLE 2.0

- Multiple MS-DOS sessions

- 32-bit memory addressing

- Support for virtual device drivers

### The Windows 95 desktop

SoftWindows includes color and monochrome Windows display drivers to optimize the performance of Windows 95 and allow it to be run in a window of any size on either color or monochrome displays. The Windows desktop can be resized dynamically, without restarting.

You can switch between a PC application and another UNIX application at any time. You can copy and paste text or graphics between PC and UNIX applications. Text or graphics can be cut or copied from Windows applications, and is automatically converted into the appropriate format when you paste it into a UNIX application.

Figure 1-1. The Windows 95 Desktop

### Windows 95 TurboStart

A unique TurboStart™ feature lets you quit from SoftWindows without exiting Windows 95. Windows loads instantly the next time you run SoftWindows, and you can resume where you left off.

### The SoftWindows MS-DOS window

When running MS-DOS SoftWindows emulates the VESA 2.0 standard SVGA (Super Video Graphics Array) PC display type.

Indicators in a status bar at the bottom of the SoftWindows window show you whether special keyboard modes or certain configuration options are selected.

### The SoftWindows menus

The SoftWindows menus allow you to configure SoftWindows to suit your PC applications. Many operations that would require hardware or board changes on a real PC can be carried out simply by choosing the appropriate function from one of the SoftWindows menus.

### On-line help

SoftWindows includes context-sensitive on-line help.

The on-line help is available at all times, even prior to installation and when SoftWindows is not running. Help is displayed in a separate Motif window and operates in the same way as Windows help.

The SoftWindows printed documentation and on-line help system are structured to support both system administrators and users. All installation and configuration information, as well as licensing and networking information, is incorporated into a printed SoftWindows 95 for UNIX Administrator's Guide and comprehensive on-line help file. Information on using the product is contained in this SoftWindows 95 for UNIX User's Guide and on-line help file.

## Product specification

SoftWindows emulates a PC to provide the following features:

### Processor

Emulated Pentium MMX.

### Memory

PC memory up to 255 Mbytes.

### Video

In Windows 95 applications, a SoftWindows display driver is used to pass graphics calls directly to X Windows. This takes full advantage of the host graphics speed and display resolution, up to and beyond resolutions achievable with SVGA graphics. In MS–DOS applications SoftWindows provides SVGA graphics.

### Keyboard

The host keyboard is used. SoftWindows provides an emulated IBM 101-key keyboard that maps to the host keyboard.

### Mouse

The host mouse is used. SoftWindows' own mouse driver allows the mouse to move between the PC and host windows acting as expected in both environments.

### Hard disks

SoftWindows uses two UNIX files as the PC's`C:` and (optionally) `D:` drives. Each drive can be configured to be up to 500 Mbytes. UNIX directories can be used for network drives `D:` through `Z:` using the SoftWindows Virtual File Sharing Architecture (VFSA). VFSA allows PC software to access UNIX files and vice versa.

### Floppy disk drives

Drives `A:` and `B:` are supported using the host's 3.5-inch drive.

### Sound and video

SoftWindows includes drivers to allow `wav` sound files and `avi` video files to be played from Windows, using the workstation hardware. It also includes MIDI and Sound Blaster support.

### Serial port

Four communications ports are supported (COM1, COM2, COM3, and COM4) with selectable baud rate, parity, and word format. The serial port on the host is used as a communications port.

### Parallel ports

Three standard PC printer ports are supported: LPT1, LPT2, and LPT3.

### CDROM

A CD-ROM driver allows PC-format CD-ROMs to be read from within SoftWindows. The Microsoft CD-ROM extensions are incorporated, including CD Audio.

### Networking support

SoftWindows includes a set of NDIS, Winsock, and ODI-compliant network drivers and can take advantage of your UNIX Ethernet connection to access other PCs and services on your network.

## Technical specification

The following table details the SoftWindows specification.

Table 1-1. SoftWindows Technical Specification Details

Feature | Specification
--- | ---
Processor | Pentium MMX
Math processor | 487 Floating Point Unit
ROM BIOS | PC/AT-compatible
Memory | 1 Mbyte to 255 Mbytes (note the initial default range is 1 Mbyte to 32 Mbyte)
Floppy disk drives | Two drives, A: and B:
Hard disk drives | Two drives, C: and D:
VFSA drives | D: to Z:
CD–ROM | Data on first available VFSA drive
Networking | Ethernet, NDIS, Winsock, and ODI drivers
Video | Accelerated Windows display adapter and drivers optimized for Windows 95 (including DirectX) and Windows 3.1. Super Video Graphics Array (Video 7) for MS-DOS. SVGA modes supported: 40h to 45h, and 60h to 69h except 63h and 64h
Audio | Windows WAVE audio device (including DirectSound support under Windows 95)
Parallel ports | Three ports, LPT1:, LPT2:, and LPT3:
Serial ports | Four ports, COM1:, COM2:, COM3:, and COM4:
Keyboard | PC/AT 101/2-key keyboard
Mouse | Microsoft Bus Mouse compatible
Microsoft Windows | Windows 95 (Windows 3.11 for upgrade installations)

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Preface |  | Chapter 2. Using SoftWindows