Cisco Systems Inc has added a number of hardware modules to its NetBeyond 3600 series of ISDN-based dial access servers for small- to medium-sized branch offices, as well as similar sized ISPs Internet Service Providers, launched in November. The new add-ons include asynchronous dial connections, Fast Ethernet local connections, high-density Ethernet and serial connections, hardware-based compression and a redundant power system. New Cisco 3600 series NM network modules include a 16-port asynchronous, a 32-port asynchronous, a single-port fast Ethernet, a 4-port Ethernet, a 4-port serial and a hardware compression module and a redundant power system. The Cisco 3600 series gets support for asynchronous dial aggregation with two new NMs. The NM-16A supports 16 asynchronous ports and the NM- 32A, 32. The Cisco 3640 model, targeted at branch office applications now scales to as many as 96 asynchronous ports in a single chassis. The Cisco 3600 series supports a mix of high- density ISDN PRI, BRI or asynchronous connectivity in a single chassis. Hardware compression is offered through the NM-COMPR module. The Cisco 3600 series now supports fast Ethernet, Ethernet and high-density serial throughout the NM-1FE which adds Fast Ethernet local area network connections for dial access. The NM-4E delivers Ethernet flexibility in environments that require a single point of connection for multiple Ethernet LAN segments. The NM-4T supports high-speed serial full-duplex T1/E1 connections. Each NM-4T serial port is individually configurable and supports a maximum throughput of 8Mbps per NM. The NM-1FE, NM-4E and NM-4T are available now at $3,000, $4,000 and $4,600 respectively. The NM-16A and NM-32A will be available in July 1997 priced at $2,600 and $4,600 respectively. The NM-COMPR will be out in July, costing $3,000.
