Bay Networks Inc has bolstered its Asynchronous Transfer Mode portfolio with the addition of an Asynchronous Mode-based local network switching option for its System 5000 network centre, and what is claimed as the first Asynchronous Mode local network Emulation-based virtual network routing interface. The new Model 5000AH (which is available as a field upgrade for existing 5000 users) supports up to 16 Asynchronous Mode ports, providing an aggregate throughput of 5Gbps, according to the company. An integrated Asynchronous Mode control module – which handles connection management, local network emulation, and network management – is also included, said the firm. The new interface, the ATM Routing Engine, is intended for the company’s Backbone Node router and is designed to provide 155Mbps full duplex routing between multiple virtual local networks on a single Asynchronous Transfer Mode interface. To support management of the new Asynchronous Mode capabilities, Bay has also enhanced its Optivitiy suite for management of the new Asynchronous Mode features, including virtual local network configuration across shared media and switched environments. For the future, Bay Networks says it plans to provide the System 5000 with the virtual network routing technology first developed for the Backbone Node router, as well as taking the core Ethernet-to-Asynchronous Mode and Token Ring-to-Asynchronous Mode switching technology from the Centillion 100 core multi-local network switch, which it gained with the acquisition of Centillion Networks Inc (CI No 2,663). These features are scheduled for availability during the second half of next year. Support for the ATM Forum’s Integrated Private Network to Network Interface routing will also be added to both the 5000 and the Backbone Node router, to support legacy network layer rout ing protocols. The Model 5000AH will ship in next quarter, costing $40,875 for a 16-port SONET/SDH multimode fibre configurat ion. The ATM Routing Eng ine is scheduled to ship simultaneously, priced at $25,500 for a 16Mb dynamic, 3Mb static RAM Sonet/SDH multimode fibre interface.
