Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire-based Madge Networks Inc has announced a Token Ring intelligent stackable hub designed to plug the gap between its SmartCAU Plus (CI No 2,359) and Smart 16/4 Hubcard (CI No 2,481) products. Specifically, the Smart Ring Access Module, SmartRAM, is being aimed at mid-size workgroups and branch offices. It is said to support up to 20 users, expandable to 60 with the use of up to two of the company’s Smart Lobe Attachment Modules. Among the key features being touted are a built-in expansion port which, says Madge, can be used either to provide direct connection to its forthcoming Token Ring switch (CI No 2,395) without an additional lobe port, or for remote connection to a central hub via router, remote bridge or SNA gateway connections. It is Simple Network Management Protocol-manageable and will ship with the company’s TrueView CAU Manager Windows-based graphical hub management application. Out-of-band management is also supported for remote diagnostics, as is the RMON standard for traffic monitoring. Shipping now, it costs $5,000 for the unshielded twisted pair version, or $5,300 for the shielded model.
