Tandem Computers Inc’s Ungermann-Bass Inc announced a new smaller eight-port model of its DragonSwitch for Ethernet product. The new model joins the previously-announced 16-port model, although it has an earlier availability date: the company is aiming for late this quarter for the eight-port model, while the 16-port version is not expected until the third quarter. Field-upgradable to 16 ports, the new model gives the eight Ethernet ports dedicated 10Mbps performance, and switches traffic across the high-speed PlusBUS backplane in the Access/One Enterprise Hub. A single Access/One hub enclosure supports up to five DragonSwitch modules, which can be either eight- or 16-port. Pricing will begin at $900 per port for both versions of the product.
