Intel Corp and SynOptics Communications Inc – two of the members of the Fast Ethernet Alliance – are to join forces on the development of products that conform to the 100Mbps Ethernet specification (CI No 2,318). The planned products are intended to comprise an interoperable 10Mbps/100Mbps switched network offering, with SynOptics producing the switching hubs, and Intel the adaptor boards. They will be based on the Fast Ethernet Alliance’s wiring specifications, with the aim of ensuring seamless, multi-vendor interoperability, and are expected to be ready by the second quarter. The agreement is intended to formalise the existing relationship between the two, notably their joint efforts as charter members of the Desktop Management Task Force, which has introduced the Desktop Management Interface with the intention of standardising the management of personal computer components, software and networked peripherals. According to SynOptics, the agreement will also result in a faster time to market, since some of the development work will be shared and some of the resulting components will be used in both the hubs and the adaptor boards. It says it was for this reason, and because it has no desire to enter the adaptor board market that it entered into the arrangement. SynOptics says that where the distribution networks of the two companies overlap, the products that result from the agreement will be jointly marketed by both of them, but adds that this does not preclude other manufacturers’ adaptors being offered with its hubs too.
