Littleton, Massachusetts-based Nashoba Networks Inc has come out with an FDDI uplink module for its Concord Token Ring switch, claiming that Concord is now the only Token Ring switch to give the option of FDDI. The FDDI Uplink Option, which is being pitched at Token Ring sites with campus-based FDDI backbone rings, is designed to connect to other Concord switches; to directly-attached FDDI resources (such as file servers); or to other network devices, via bridges or routers. It is claimed to support an 8,000-address filtering and forwarding table (expandable to 16,000) and to use full translational bridging (rather than encapsulation) to send Token Ring traffic over the FDDI ring. The company notes that other features include automatic fragmentation of Token Ring packets when they exceed the 4,500-byte maximum allowed by FDDI; IEEE 802.1d-compliant support for source-routed packets; and Simple Network Management Protocol manageability. The product has options for Dual Attach Station (with two fibre optic connections for redundant ring configurations); Single Attach Station, for linking to single rings or an FDDI concentrator; or Category Five unshielded twisted pair. Prices start at $12,500.
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