Motorola Inc and Ungermann-Bass have agreed to promote Motorola’s wireless Ethernet network with Ungermann’s wired hub. The companies are also to begin a joint research effort to examine integrated wireless and structured wiring network solutions. Motorola’s Altair network operates via a user unit, attached by thinet wire to six workstations and a control unit, which acts as a router. The two units are connected via radio waves. The control unit, or router can communicate – via a wire connection – to an Ethernet backbone. At the moment Ungermann and Motorola will promote one another’s networks only in existing accounts, but Ungermann hopes eventually to bring Altair under the management of its central network management system NetDirector. A spokeswoman for Ungermann said that announcements would be made within the year. Motorola says the project highlights the complementary nature of the two types of networks – most wireless vendors now agree that the products will not replace wired nets. Ungermann’s president Ralph Ungermann outlined the main uses of wireless networks as historical buildings, leased facilities and retail environments where wireless technology complements the existing wired solution. Out in the US and Spain, Altair isn’t yet available over here.
