New modems, ISDN interface, enhancements to 3745 among new communications hardware Although last week’s announcement was intended to put over the message that Open Systems Interconnection standards are no longer off limits for True Blue IBM users who had been brought up to believe they would be little better off than bag ladies wandering around aimlessly muttering to themselves if they didn’t commit to SNA only, first, last and always, but IBM threw in an enormous array of other new communications products that had been patiently awaiting their turn at the head of the new products queue. There’s the IBM 7860 Modem series, the IBM 5822 Data Service Unit/Channel Service Unit Model 018, and the IBM 7820 Terminal Adaptor – enabling IBM to reassure us all that despite its silence on the subject, it has not only heard of Integrated Services Digital Networking, but has been actively preparing products. The new offerings are designed to operate in conjunction with the IBM Communication Network Management products – namely NetView or NetView/PC network management programs and ACF/NCP, and in general, you can be sure that despite IBM’s stated commitment to support for mixed vendor environments, NetView will be a lot happier if the network uses IBM modems and other kit that it recognises.

The two 7860 families of modems The IBM 7860 is a family of nine new stand-alone 7861 leased-line modems, and six new 7868 rack-mounted leased-line modems offering speeds from 4.8Kbps to 19.2Kbps, including the first at the latter speed to offer multipoint capability. There are two and four port models with fan-in/fan-out and/or data multiplex functions for both synchronous and asynchronous data terminal equipment to share the same link – and of course support for Advanced Network Management functions under NetView – no IBM modems, no dice. The new modems are claimed to offer analogue, digital and Integrated Services Digital Network support, and can be integrated into the new 3745 communications processor as well as rack-mounted or stand-alone. They also have switched network back-up features, and, in the unabashed flackery department, superior line coverage at all speeds and superior quality and reliability due to extensive use of VLSI (presumably compared with IBM’s previous generation of modems – the 5865, 5866, 5868 and the LIC5 with which they are compatible), although of course you’re meant to believe that it is in comparison with any other modem on the market). Other new functions include bi-directional 14.4Kbps operation in multipoint mode, 9.6Kbps operation with trellis coded modulation, and controlled access to the modem keypad.

Automated problem determination, configuration and operation can be done from the modem keypad. The stand-alone 7861s consist of the 047, 19.2Kbps four-port modem, $7,200; 046, 14.4Kbps, four port, $5,400; 045, 9.6Kbps, four-port; $4,000; O26, 14.4Kbps, two-port; $5,100; 025, 9.6Kbps, two-port, $3,700; 024, 4.8Kbps, two-port, $2,600; 016, 14.4Kbps, one-port, $4,800; 015, 9.6Kbps, one-port, $3,400; and 014, 4.8Kbps, one-port, $2,300. The 7868 rack-mount models are the 047 19.2Kbps four port, $6,900; 046 14.4Kbps, four-port, $5,100; the 045 9.6Kbps, four-port, $3,800; the 026 14.4Kbps, two-port, $4,600; the 025, 9.6Kbps, two-port, $3,300, and the 024 4.8Kbps, two-port, $2,100. The one-ports are available this month, the two-port 7861s next month, the two-port 7868s in March 1989 and the four ports in September 1989 – don’t hold your breath. It will also be possible to field-upgrade the speed of your hot new 7860 modem, at a price, starting around the middle of next year.

The 7820 ISDN Terminal Adaptor The new IBM 7820 Integrated Services Digital Network Terminal Adaptor Model 001 provides for attachment of synchronous data terminal equipment – hosts, controllers and terminals – to ISDN Basic Rate Access services complying with the relevant CCITT and ECMA technical reference specifications. It incorporates the most commonly used V- and X-series interfaces to allow migration of installed products to circuit-