InformationWeek

September 8, 1997

LAN Devices To Ease Ban dwidth Squeeze

Bigger pipes and smarter allocation readied by IBM, 3Com, and startups

endors are readying a slew of LAN devices that support bigger pipes and allow more intelligent allocation of bandwidth.

According to sources, IBM's network hardware division this week will unveil plans to migrate its Multiprotocol Switched Services software to all of its LAN switches, and to enhance its Nways 8260 LAN switch, originally licensed from 3Com Corp. 3Com this week will unveil its own next-generation switching platform, including a product that will support Gigabit Ethernet.

Meanwhile, startup FlowWise Networks Inc. in San Jose, Calif., is expected to announce soon a switch that routes IP traffic at high speed and has a switching capacity of 24 Gbps.

IBM's MSS software, originally available only in a standalone product, provides distributed routing- switching capability and specialized LAN emulation services needed to run ATM over legacy networks. By migrating MSS to all its hardware, IBM hopes to make the software more attractive to companies looking to migrate to ATM.

IBM will also enhance the 8260 switching hub, providing new blades-modules that support higher speeds and increased backplane capacity. In addition, IBM this week will announce plans to provide Java-based management software for its network devices.

3Com is planning new versions of its CoreBuilder line of chassis-based LAN products, so that they support Gigabit Ethernet and more ATM ports.

John Masseria, manager of systems support at Carnival Cruise Lines in Miami, says his company runs an ATM network based on the CoreBuilder 7000 and the 7400 (ATM-to-Ethernet) switches. The products are performing well, but he is int erested in the new generation as well.

"Our servers are on Fast Ethernet, and we were planning to migrate them to ATM," he says. "Possibly, Gigabit Ethernet is a solution there, but with an ATM backbone."

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