Tandem Computers Inc’s Santa Clara, California-based UB Networks Inc has expanded its Geo product family with the launch of the 16-port GeoRim/Edt Ethernet desktop switch and an enhanced version of its 12-port GeoRim/E Ethernet switch. The GeoRim/Edt is claimed to be easy to install, and delivers 10Mbps to each port. It operates at full wire speed on every port – 193,500 frames per second – promises the company. It has Simple Network Management Protocol network management support and can be equipped with an optional 100Base-T uplink for Fast Ethernet communications to backbones or servers. The GeoRim/E Ethernet switch provides a gateway to Asynchronous Transfer Mode networks, with optional 100Base-T, Fiber Distributed Data Interface or Asynchronous Mode uplinks that can be installed without reconfiguring ports. UB Networks claims that it is one of the fastest store-and-forward switches available today, while also providing the most flexibility, thanks to its use of advanced switching technology at high speed. Ethernet switch ports on the GeoRim/E switch are modular and hot- swappable, and can be used to provide dedicated bandwidth to hubs, workgroups or desktops. A redundant power supply has been included for added fault-tolerance, along with a diagnostic display for direct access to key information and expanded memory capability. Both products are shipping now. The GeoRim/Edt switch costs around $250 per port, while the 12-port GeoRim/E is from around $620 per port, UB said.
