Digital Equipment Corp has now added another plank to its enVISN enterprise Virtual Intelligent Switched Networks blueprint with the announcement of routing software options for its DECswitch 900EE and 900EF department-level switches, and the launch of its RouteAbout family for branch office networking. The key to distributed routing is the integration of standard multiprotocol routing code across hubs, routers and switches, said the firm. To this end, the first option for the DECswitch will comprise an IP package for bridging and TCP/IP routing, as well as support for the routing of Internet Packet Exchange, AppleTalk, DECnet and Open System Interconnection protocols. In addition, Data Link Switching support is included for IBM Corp environments. However, the IP package will also be available alone, for users with lesser requirements. Prices will start at ú5,300 for the 900EE IP Router, rising to ú7,800 for the 900EF Multiprotocol Router. Both will be available as either stand-alone units or as modules that can be placed in the DEChub, the company says. Routing can also be added to existing 900 units via a software upgrade, which will start at ú1,100, said DEC. All offerings will be out in August. The RouteAbout family for connecting remote branch offices to central sites across wide area network services comprises the Access EW for remote sites with Ethernet local area networks and the Access TW for remote sites with Token Ring local area networks. A central site router supporting many wide area network ports and an access product for ISDN environments will follow by the end of the year, DEC promises. Access EW with IP Routing will list for ú1,400, with the multiprotocol routing option coming in at ú1,700. Both are out this month. The Access TW offering with IP routing will cost ú1,800 or ú2,100 with multiprotocol routing. Both will ship in August.
