Ungermann-Bass shoots off starting blocks with 10Base-T IEEE 802.3 conformant productsUngermann-Bass has announced a series of 10Base-T non-intelligent adaptor cards, an Access/One Concentrator module and a Twisted-Pair Access Unit, based on the recently ratified 10Base-T IEEE 802.3 standard. The adaptor cards have been jointly developed with Tiara. The 10Base-T concentrator and twisted pair access unit are backwards-compatible with pre-10Base-T standard products. Ungermann has also introduced the Simple Network Management Protocol agent for the Access/One Supervisor module as the first step in its implementation of SNMP as its management protocol for TCP/IP networks and part of its support for Open Systems Interconnection. A protocol software enhancement which provides concurrent access to DEC VAX clusters and Unix hosts over the Local Area Transport and TCP/IP through the Access/One intelligent wiring hub is also launched.
10Mbps Twisted-Pair Access Unit
Ungermann’s Twisted-Pair Access Unit for the Access/One intelligent wiring platform is an external transceiver which provides 10Base-T signalling for an Ethernet device. The concentrator, a managed active repeater, provides signalling for up to 12 10Base-T ports at 10Mbps over twisted-pair wiring. As part of the Access/One system, the new 10Base-T products can be integrated into multiple protocol, multiple-media and multiple-site networks. In an optional mode the concentrator supports device distances exceeding 150 yards on unshielded twisted-pair wiring. For users with IBM Type 1 and 2 cabling, longer device distances are supported. Both the Access/One 10Base-T Concentrator and 10Base-T twisted-pair access unit ship now.
Simple Network Management Protocol
Ungermann-Bass has a Simple Network Management Protocol agent for its Access/One intelligent struc-tured wiring platform. The Protocol agent runs on the Access/One Supervisor card, which monitors and provides control services for all Access/One modules, and enables Simple Network Management Protocol-based management stations to monitor and control the Access/One enclosure. Ungermann is to offer further Simple Network-based products, and says it has decided to develop the protocol because it provides visibility into, and control over, all other connectivity modules located within an Access/One enclosure. Once a Simple Network Management Protocol agent is implemented on the Supervisor it is possible to perform fault and performance management on every Access/One module. In addition, Ungermann-Bass offers some trap extensions (unsolicited event messages) that the Access/One agent sends to the Simple Network Management Protocol manager. The software will be available first quarter 1991.
Access/One development with Tandem
Ungermann-Bass and its parent Tandem Computers, have announced a joint development effort to improve the network connection between Tandem systems and Ungermann-Bass’ Access/One intelligent wiring system. The development will focus on enhanced networking of end user devices, such as personal computers, Macintoshes and terminals in the Tandem environment, over the TCP/IP protocol. One prototype to come out of the co-operation is a TCP/IP-based Tandem 6530 terminal communications software package. This is expected to be available in the first half of 1991. Other joint development products are to be based on the Access/One system.
Multimegabit Service goes on trial
Pacific Bell’s Switched Multimegabit Data Service – a high-speed communication link which can be used for the interconnection of local area networks – is being tested at Pacific’s internal test bed. The trial includes the interconnection of several locations using a prototype interface inside of the Ungermann-Bass Access/One intelligent hub. The objective of the tests is to evaluate the technology and potential advanced applications of the Multimegabit Service. Pacific reckons that most organisations with geographically separate facilities would benefit from the Service. Initially, the Multimegabit Service will provide instantaneous
1.544Mbps or 44.736-Mbps access to a high-speed switched fibre-optic network. Eventually, the service will offer higher transmission rates such as 150Mbps. The Pacific trial is scheduled to run until spring 1991 and focus on a number of on-line applications such as medical and financial services that currently use local area network technology.
Ethernet adaptors for twisted-pair link
Ungermann-Bass has introduced three Ethernet adaptor cards for personal computers and IBM PS/2s, to connect local area networks via 10Base-T twisted-pair wiring. Each of the adaptors, called Access/PC-8, Access/PC-16 and Access/MC, include on-board transceivers. Ungermann says the cards simplify media connections by using a standard RJ-45 modular phone connector for twisted-pair telephone wiring. A DB-15 connector for a standard Ethernet coaxial transceiver is also supplied. The cards interoperate with PS/2, personal computer and networking products, allowing migration to new products without obsoleting existing components. All the adaptors include support for Ungermann-Bass’ Net/One LAN Manager, NetWare 286 and 386 through Novell’s Open Datalink Interface, Ungermann-Bass’ Net/One TCP/IP and XNS, and are compliant with NDIS specification. An optional remote-boot capability for NetWare is available. This increases data security by enabling diskless network workstations to be used, as well as simplifying operating system software updates. The Access/PC-8 is available now. Access/MC and Access/PC-16 ship January 1991.
Local network software for DEC systems
Ungermann-Bass has introduced Net/One LAT/TCP Protocol Enhancement, to provide terminal access from its Access/One intelligent wiring platform to DEC systems under LAT – DEC’s proprietary Local Area Transport protocol. Net/One LAT/TCP consists of software downloaded to the Access/One Asynchronous Interface Module (ASM-100), leveraging the investment customers have made in their existing modules. Because Net/One LAT/TCP is part of the Access/One wiring hub, network managers can implement centralised management functions from the Network Management Console – configuration, performance and fault management information can be monitored, reviewed and modified. Net/One LAT/TCP also supports Simple Network Management Protocol and DEC’s Terminal Server Manager. It will be available in December. The ASM-100 Asynchronous Interface ships now.
