Bay Networks Inc have announced new routing and local network switching modules for its System 5000 enterprise hub, claiming that it makes the product the first single system to combine integrated routing, switching, shared media and Asynchronous Transer Mode functionality. The company is touting the 5000 as its strategic network system, and believes that offering a wide choice of options – it now supports Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, TokenRing, FDDI and Asynchronous Mode – will differentiate it from rival products such as Cisco Systems Inc’s Catalyst 5000, Cabletron Systems Inc’s MMAc-Plus, and 3Com Corp’s ONcore. On the Asynchronous Transfer side, Bay will launch the ATM Virtual Network Routing Module this quarter. This is claimed to provide single interface connections to connect disparate virtual local networks, and to deliver high-speed routing between multiple virtual local networks over Asynchronous Mode based on the BayRS Bay Networks Routing Services. Additionally, it is claimed to connect Asynchronous Mode networks to frame-based FDDI, Ethernet and Token Ring networks, with wire speed throughput of 120,000 packets per second. The Asynchronous Mode module will cost $25,500 to $35,500. The two new router modules support four Token Ring or Ethernet hub backplane interfaces, and two optional Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI, 100Base-T, Synchronous and ISDN Basic Rate Interface network modules. Each module provides a forwarding rate of 50,000 packets per second. Alongside BayRS support, the modules also support Bay’s Parallel Packet Exchange backplane interface, enabling multiple routers to be interconnected and managed as a single unit. The Ethernet module, the 5380, will cost $13,000, with the Token Ring 5580 at $23,000. Both ship this quarter. Finally, the Ethernet switching module, which is claimed to have 2Gbps internal switching capacity, is said to provide different interfaces for 10Mbps, 100Mbps or FDDI communications. Bay has employed what it terms configuration switching for the module, which is said to enable geographically distributed users and devices to be assigned to the same logical workgroup. Up to 32 virtual local networks can be supported per switch, up to 64 per community. The module is shipping now for $12,000 to $25,500.
