3Com Corp, Santa Clara, has announced a new module for its LinkBuilder MSH hub which provides Ethernet-to-FDDI local network switching. It has also added an FDDI concentrator module, in order to provide FDDI-to-the-desktop and a Token Ring Multistation Access Unit, again both for the MSH. The new Ethernet-to-FDDI switch, called the LinkSwitch, is intended to enable users to connect servers across an FDDI backplane, and switch traffic to Ethernet-based users. In its base configuration, 3Com says, the LinkSwitch provides Ethernet/FDDI switching for three Ethernet segments, while an optional expansion module adds a further six segments. It is said to provide local network switching to FDDI at 130,000 packets per second, and offers 1,024 addresses per module. The list price is to be $7,200 for the LinkSwitch, or $9,400 including the expansion module. Both products are to ship in the autumn. The new FDDI concentrator is based on the company’s LinkBuilder FDDI stackable hub, and is said to support two FDDI workgroups over either unshielded twisted pair or fibre cabling. Supporting up to 54 users, it is to be available from the autumn in three configurations: the A&B port version is to cost $3,200, while the six-port unshielded copper module and four-port fibre version are each to cost $4,000. Finally, the new Token Ring Multistation Access Unit, for which the company has migrated the physical layer technology used in its LinkBuilder Focus chassis and LinkBuilder TR stackable hub, is said to offer Phase-Locked Loop, re-timing per port, Zero Delay Lockout, jitter reduction and support for Distributed Recovery Intelligence. It is available immediately, at $1,700. The products are to be manageable by an enhanced version of the company’s Transcend LinkBuilder MSH Manager for Unix product which was originally announced in October. The enhanced version is due to ship in the fourth quarter. Additionally, 3Com says that it plans a new version of its Transcend LinkBuilder FMS Manager for Windows offering (currently an Ethernet-only system) to support the products. Pricing and availability is to be announced at a later date.
