Santa Clara, California-based SynOptics Communications Inc has filled in the next piece of its Asynchronous Transfer Mode strategy with the launch of EtherCell, a new front-end for its LattisCell ATM switch which translates between 10Mbps Ethernet frames and Asynchronous Transfer cells. The product provides one 155Mbps Synchronous Optical Network or Synchronous Digital Hierarchy Asynchronous Transfer Mode port, which the company says can receive data simultaneously from its 12 10Base-T Ethernet ports. These can be used either to create power workgroups or to connect Ethernet segments to Asynchronous Transfer backbone networks. The product is initially to be offered in two configurations, for fibre- and unshielded twisted pair-based networks. Both versions have 12 10Base-T Ethernet ports and one Asynchornous Transfer synchronous optical port. The fibre version, Model 10328-F, is due to ship in April costing $10,000. The launch of the twisted pair version, the Model 10328-C, costing $9,500 is planned for June, but is dependent on the development of an ATM Forum interface specification for Category 5 unshielded twisted cable. In the longer term, SynOptics says that it will integrate EtherCell functionality into modules for its Lattis System 5000 and System 3000 hubs. SynOptics has also announced new versions of its Connection Management System and Network Management Application which add support for EtherCell. These are to cost $3,500 and $4,500 respectively. According to the company, EtherCell can support multicast and broadcast traffic over the Asynchronous Transfer Mode adaption layer when used in conjunction with the Multicast Server software, which comes bundled with Connection Management System.
