3Com Corp has laid out its strategies for virtual local networking technology, and for providing network monitoring and analysis across its switching products. The virtual local network strategy – Transcend Virtual Networking or Transcend VN – is a three-phase roadmap. Phase One, due to run until the middle of next year, will give users the ability to configure multiple virtual local nets within each switch; multiple virtual local nets across multiple switches; and to manage the virtual local nets from a common graphical interface within its Transcend network management application. So far, only the CELLplex 7000 Asynchronous Transfer Mode switch, and LinkSwitch 2700 Ethernet/ATM switch have all Phase One features now: it will be mid-1996 before they are added to the LinkSwitch 1000/3000, the new LinkSwitch 2000 TR, and the ONcore hub acquired with the takeover of Chipcom Corp. Similarly, while the LANplex switch family supports virtual local networks, it will not get all the management features until the same time. Phase 2, due to begin mid-1996, will see the introduction of user-based virtual local network capabilities (so administrators can group individuals, rather than sets of switch ports, together); automatic virtual local net configuration by protocol type or subnet; and RMON monitoring on 3Com’s desktop adaptors, using its SmartAgent technology. 3Com also reckons that, by this stage, its virtual local net support will be compliant with the IEEE 802.1 committee’s forthcoming standards. The final phase, due to begin in 1997, is intended to provide auto-configuration of virtual local network membership in Asynchronous Transfer and non-Asynchronous Transfer environments, and policy-based VNET support including Quality of Service and security for all members of the Virtual Network. 3Com will also work with IBM Corp to ensure their respective High Performance Scalable Networking and Switched Virtual Networking offerings interoperate, and the companies say they will work to ensure common implementations for Phases 2 and 3. As to the RMON strategy, 3Com has launched what it claims is the first network monitoring and analysis tool to enable users to monitor all network elements as a single networking system. The application consists of the company’s SmartAgents software, integrated with RMON-based monitoring (with support for RMON 2 due to follow next year), and 3Com’s Transcend Enterprise Manager for Unix and Windows. The company claims that the application can be used for its entire product range.
