British Telecommunications Plc has announced a raft of new data communications products, a range of modems, ISDN terminal adaptors and local network hubs. The modem range comprises personal computer boards and dial-up modems aimed at small to medium-sized companies, and networking and racked modems for large businesses. They were designed by the telephone giant and based on the CCITT V32 standard, although the company says that through features such as V42bis and MNP 5 data compression, transmission speeds can rise to 14,400 bps. The modem line also includes a modem manager, to warn of any disruptions to the service. The manager will eventually be integrated into Concert, British Telecom’s integrated management system. No word on which company has been given the contract to manufacture the devices. The new terminal adaptors are for the ISDN 2 service and, says the company, will enable low-cost entry for customers – the adaptor range starts at around UKP1,800. Lastly, British Telecom has introduced a network management system and two new smart local area network hubs. The management system, called NetDirector, is manufactured by Tandem Computers Inc’s Ungermann-Bass Inc subsidiary, as are the Access hub and the two slot hub. Network management information can be passed from NetDirector to British Telecom’s emerging Concert integrated network management system through a Common Management Interface Protocol interface.
