Advanced Computer Communications says it has enhanced its Series 4000 Token Ring bridge-router option to include support for Ungermann-Bass Inc’s and Xerox Corp’s XNS implementations, and Novell’s IPX protocol. Previously, the Token Ring product supported IP and the IBM/802.5 source routing standards only. The IPX implementation supports NetWare networks running the service advertising and routing information protocol. Advanced Computer Communications launched the Token Ring option last February – it plugs into existing Series 4000 machines and enables them to link remote 4Mbps or 16Mbps Token Ring nets into a single, integrated network. It supports 802.2 Logical Link Control, a connectionless mode, for bridging and routing traffic over other Series 4000 internetworking products. The interface operates transparently with IBM’s SNA LU6.2, NetWare, Vines, and Microsoft’s 3+ Open. As well as source routing, the product discovers end-nodes on different rings by inserting source-to-destination path information into the data packet.
