The Bridge Communications division of 3Com Corp, Santa Clara, California has added a new model to its Communications Server/ line. The Server/210 is the second communications processor from 3Com that runs a Bridge-developed implementation of the entire seven-layer Open Systems Interconnection protocol specification. The new 10-port 210, designed for smaller networks of up to 20 servers, costs $3,300, against $16,000 for the existing 64-port CS/1-OSI. In addition to the Open Systems standards, the CS/210 supports Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, used extensively in Unix environments and within the US Federal government, and the Xerox Network Systems standard. It features a local booting capability allowing it to be operated without a Bridge Network Control Server. The Server is Bridge’s network management workstation which enables network monitoring and remote booting of Bridge server products. Users who want to migrate from TCP/IP or XNS to the Open Systems standards simply have to change the server’s software. The CS/200 is $2,800; an additional licence fee of $50 is assessed for each CS/200.
