Littleton, Massachusetts headquartered Xyplex Inc has announced plans for enhancing the ability of its Network 9000 Routing Hub to provide remote and branch office access to corporate networks. On the remote access side, the company says that it has expanded its multi-protocol support to address remote Macintosh users; the ARAP Apple Remote Access protocol option for remote Apple Computer Inc users is now available for Xyplex’s stand-alone and integrated access servers, priced at $400 for eight ports. By mid-1994, the company plans to deliver access server software upgrades with new client-server applications to support Novell IPX remote users. The company is also developing a family of telecommuting products to provide users with high-speed access via ISDN, a move no doubt influenced by the efforts the Baby Bells are making to bring ISDN availability to homeworkers in the US. Xyplex says these offerings will use much of the software technology found in its X.25 Gateway products, although specific details were not released. In the branch office arena, Xyplex says that in the second half of this year it will deliver a series of Network 9000 modules with on-board direct connections for clear channel T1/E1, Fractional T1/E1, Switched 56, and ISDN Primary and Basic Rate services. Current Network 9000 modules already support packet switching technologies (X.25 and Frame Relay) and circuit switching technologies, including both analogue and dedicated digital services. Other forthcoming branch office access products will include a low-cost branch office routing hub, support for additional wide area network access methods, and bandwidth-on-demand functionality.
