3Com Corp has introduced a new family of Ethernet and Fast Ethernet Network Interface boards claiming industry-best price performance. The EtherLink XL and Fast EtherLink XL boards will include 3Com’s DynamicAccess software and hardware enhancements which, according to the company, provide better overall network performance by dynamically interacting with the network. Features of DynamicAccess, part of 3Com’s Transcend Networking Framework, include Priority Access Control Enabled, PACE, mult imedia support; PictureTel LiveShare Plus software; Desktop Distributed RMON, dRMON,; Efficient Multicast Control and Priority Access Interactive Access Performance. Dynamic Access capabilities will initially be offered through the XL boards, but 3C om plans to add many of them to its installed base of boards through free software upgrades. The EtherLink XL and Fast EtherLink XL exploit the company’s Parallel Tasking technology, which enables separate data transfer tasks to be completed in para llel. Both offer complete driver support to the major network operating systems; full duplex support is provided at 10Mbps or 100Mbps, while the Fast Ether-Link XL board supports NWay auto-negotiation for 10Mbps or 100Mbps operation. PACE Interactiv e Access enables the XL boards to evaluate network traffic and load conditions to evaluate the best time for transmission of data. Priority Access-enabled software drivers for the XL suite will be available this quarter. The XL range also features f ree PictureTel data conferencing software with application sharing and whiteboarding facilities. On the management front, 3Com has created dRMON to offer users options on how to collect remote monitoring data across networks. Desktop distributed Remote Monitoring can operate in switched and 100Mbps environments, and enables the board to provide collection at the end station. It is due next quarter. Efficient Multicast Control drivers will ship in the first quarter of 1997. EtherLink XL is avai lable from July 22 for $105; the Fast EtherLink XL board is shipping now for under $160.
