Compaq Computer Corp has announced an integrated network device aimed at small businesses and branch offices. The Compaq Microcom 808 access device incorporates an Internet Protocol router, an eight port 10Mbps managed Ethernet Hub, two POTS telephone lines and an Basic Rate ISDN modem in one box. Compaq claims the $900 device is $3,800 cheaper than buying the three component products individually and that the ongoing costs of the device are low, as the ISDN connection can be used for all analog telephone calls, voice and fax traffic, as well as data. The incorporated router, enables a WAN connection to be shared across the LAN, unlike analog modem connections. The device is part of Compaq’s remote access portfolio that it gained from its $280m acquisition of Microcom Inc. Compaq is also selling a Stac compression module that increases the ISDN transfer rate from 128 to 512Kbps, for $200, and an eight port expansion Ethernet Hub for $200. All the products are currently shipping in the US, and will be released worldwide later in the year.
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