One name missing from the list when Cisco Systems Inc detailed its plans for its recent acquisitions two weeks ago was Network Translation Inc. Cisco bought Network Translation in November (CI No 2,781) and has since been working to integrate its core technologies – which convert non-Internet addresses on internal networks into Internet-conformant addresses – into the Cisco Internetwork Operating System. According to Peter Long, the company’s manager of network protocols for Cisco’s IOS product marketing, the integration work should be completed around the middle of this year but it is as yet unclear which hardware systems it will be released on – it is up to the individual business units according to Long. Surprisingly, there are currently no plans to offer the Network Translation technology bundled with the CiscoPro Internet Junction software (CI No 2,759), said to provide IPX-to-TCP/IP conversion, without the installation of TCP/IP on every desktop. Long commented that such a bundling would be a good idea, but specific implementation plans will depend on what users are requesting. Cisco has, however, licensed Netscape Communications Corp’s Netscape Navigator for incorporation into the Internet Junction product. The bundle is shipping now, with prices starting at $600 for a five-user licence.
