Wang Laboratories Inc’s InteCom PABX subsidiary in Allen, Texas has completed testing the local area networking feature of its IBX PABX, called LANmark, which connects it to Wang VS business computer. It is based around a twisted-pair star topology and suppobts the IEEE 802.3 and TCP/IP standards. The VS interface to LANmark plugs into InteCom’s LANmark Data Interface, LDI-400. Once connected to LANmark, VS systems can communicate with other VS systems using the proprietary WSN/CNS protocols, as well as to non-Wang systems with compatible protocols. The Wang 802.3- compatible products include VS hardware, VS software, and Wang- provided cable plant components and services. Two modes of communications will be possible: VS-to-VS using WSN software; or VSC-to-nonWang through Wang TCP/IP software, which is a future release. The Allen, Texas company also claims that it now offers primary and basic rate ISDN, Integrated Services Digital Network, interface component products. The primary rate interface line card, the InteCom DTI24, provides the 23B+D interface at a signalling rate of 1.544Mbps using the Q.931 and Q.921 signalling protocols. The design of the DTI24 is based on dynamic bandwidth allocation and common channel signalling, which has been in operation for five years. First customer deliveries are scheduled for December 1988. The DTI24 interface is priced at $3,575. The basic rate interface line card, the InteCom, ISDN Station Interface, ISI, will provide the CCITT 2B+D interface in its approved format. The ISI design has grown out of InteCom’s experience in integrated voice and data and from Wang Laboratories’ trial at McDonalds. Intecom claims that this downloadable unit allows InteCom to adapt as standards are finalised. Each card will provide 24 S-type interfaces and will drive stations to 4000 feet on two-twisted pair cable. The ISI trial is planned for December 1988 with deliveries set for May 1989. The price for this interface is $11,900 per card. The IBX PABX will require several software upgrades for the new interface to transmit control signals properly. These modules come under the umbrella of ISDNNET and will be included in a future release of the IBX-system software.
