ShareWay IP 2.0 makes sharing Macintosh files through Internet protocols as easy as sharing the same files through AppleTalk, and is the first Macintosh product to utilize the Internet-standard Service Location Protocol (SLP). ShareWay IP 2.0 includes two new ease-of-use features previously only available through AppleTalk file sharing: the ability, through SLP, to dynamically locate and access servers (as with the AppleTalk Chooser), and the ability to provide file service through a transparent, OS-integrated mechanism. ShareWay IP also continues to support access from Web pages through AFP URLs. ShareWay IP 2.0 utilizes Apple's new Network Services Location (NSL) technology, included with Mac OS 8.5, to dynamically register through SLP, in much the same way that AppleTalk-based file sharing registers with the Name Binding Protocol (NBP). Clients wishing to easily browse and access ShareWay IP servers can utilize Open Door's new AFP Engage. 2.0 product and NSL to display a list of available servers and to initiate point-and-click access to those servers through the standard AppleShare client. A copy of AFP Engage. 2.0 will be included with ShareWay IP 2.0. ShareWay IP 2.0 also includes a new background-only mode of operation. In background-only mode, ShareWay IP essentially becomes a part of the Mac OS itself, transparently merging with the Mac's built-in personal file sharing to provide seamless IP-based file sharing. Users will no longer have to worry about accidentally quitting ShareWay IP, or wonder why it shows up in the application menu. ShareWay IP is currently available in three editions: Personal, Standard and Professional. Personal supports only the Mac's built-in personal file sharing; Standard supports any single AppleTalk Filing Protocol (AFP) server, such as AppleShare 4.x, Windows NT or Novell NetWare; Professional supports up to 256 AFP servers. Due to limitations with Apple's NSL technology, only the Personal and Standard editions are being upgraded at this time. A future version of NSL is expected to address these limitations, at which time a ShareWay IP Professional 2.0 is anticipated.
