Advanced Computer Communications continues to push SNA strategy with latest IBM connectivity enhancements.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 1996--Advanced Computer Communications Inc. (ACC), a leading provider of network access solutions for the home, office and enterprise, Tuesday introduced extended software support for its line of bridge/routers, with the announcement of Release 9.3.

Release 9.3 adds significant new capabilities for connecting users to IBM networks. ACC has been supporting IBM internetworking on its products since Release 8.0 with Token Ring Source Route Bridging support, Data Link Switching and SDLC/LLC2 conversion. With Release 9.3, ACC continues to add value to its IBM internetworking story.

The key features in Release 9.3 are:

- Secondary SDLC link station support

- Frame Relay Boundary Access Node (BAN) support

- SNA/NETBIOS translation bridging support

- PU type 1 support

"Many of our enterprise customers have made significant investments in IBM equipment," said Tuan Le, ACC's product marketing manager. "As these customers migrate to multiprotocol networks, we must ensure reliability, scalability and interoperability, while protecting customers' infrastructure investments.

"The new IBM features in Release 9.3, combined with ACC's Bandwidth Optimization features such as Express Queuing, Data Compression and dial capabilities, will provide IBM customers with the broadest and most flexible option for migrating IBM/SNA networks to advanced multiprotocol network backbones."

Secondary SDLC Link Station Support

ACC extends its SDLC support in Release 9.3 to allow ACC routers to be polled by IBM host systems and to communicate with IBM hosts over SDLC links. SDLC host support, in addition to LLC2 host support, expands the connectivity options for ACC routers to IBM hosts. SDLC host support is designed for customers who do not want to upgrade IBM hosts to support a LAN interface such as Token Ring or Ethernet.

ACC already supports primary SDLC link station function. Primary SDLC link station function allows remote SDLC controllers (i.e., 3174s, 3274s, 5394s) to connect to ACC routers. With secondary SDLC link station support in Release 9.3, ACC routers will be able to achieve a true "SDLC-Router-WAN-Router-SDLC" connectivity across the network.

A smooth and seamless migration from a SDLC network to a multiprotocol network (i.e., Frame Relay or ISDN) will be a reality.

Frame Relay Boundary Access Node (BAN) Support

With BAN support in Release 9.3, ACC is taking another step in providing ways to transport native SNA traffic across the Frame Relay network. BAN, an extension of RFC1490, introduces a new class of Frame Relay Access Device (FRAD) for IBM/SNA networking.

With BAN, a remote ACC router will act as a FRAD and directly communicate with the IBM FEP (Front End Processor) or AS/400 via the Frame Relay Network, without going through another router at the host site. Direct IBM host connection across the Frame Relay network takes advantage of the IBM host support of RFC1490.

BAN support is designed for customers who want direct IBM-host-to-Frame-Relay connection, but do not want to upgrade their remote SNA controllers (i.e., 3174s) to support Frame Relay, and do not want to replace older controllers (i.e., 3274s) that cannot be upgraded to support Frame Relay.

SNA/NETBIOS Translation Bridging Support

With this feature, ACC routers will support communication between an SNA/NETBIOS device on a Token Ring network and another SNA/NETBIOS device on an Ethernet network, and vice versa. Media flexibility allows IBM network administrators to select the appropriate media and services that offer the best price-to-performance ratio without concern for loss of connectivity.

PU Type 1 Support

This feature is specifically designed for customers who are looking for an effective way to connect their PU type 1 devices (i.e., 5294s and 5394s) over the WAN (i.e., Frame Relay) to an AS/400 host. In the past, these PU type 1 devices could not be defined to connect to the AS400 across the WAN until they were converted to a PU type 2.1. This conversion requires an expensive upgrade to the 5394s from IBM.

With PU type 1 support in Release 9.3, a PU type 1 controller will now be able to connect to ACC routers via SDLC, and then connect across the WAN to an upstream AS/400 host.

Data Link Switching (DLSw)

Data Link Switching is an industry-standard technique for tunneling SNA and NETBIOS traffic through TCP/IP networks. The "unrouteable" SNA protocol is simply made to look like the IP traffic so the the routers can handle it. The DLSw solution is designed for SNA customers who have already made a commitment to IP networking as their standards-based transport network.

Since DLSw is basically an IP-based routing protocol, it can be used over any media, such as Frame Relay, LAN, ISDN, X.25, etc., which can support IP networking. The DLSw solution builds on ACC's long tradition of leadership in WAN and IP networking. ACC has integrated Release 9.3 features fully with its Data Link Switching support.

These fully integrated features enable IBM customers to build a smooth migration plan for integrating an IBM network into a LAN-based, multiprotocol network.

Pricing and Availability

Release 9.3 will begin shipping on the Danube, Colorado, Nile and Amazon product lines by the end of calendar year 1996. Customers who currently have a maintenance contract with ACC will receive 9.3 software free of charge. Customers who do not have a maintenance contract will be charged a nominal upgrade fee.

About ACC

ACC is a leading manufacturer of network access products that provide cost-effective solutions for the home, office and enterprise. ACC leads the industry in the development of Bandwidth Optimization technologies to maximize the utilization of Leased Lines and switched services.

ACC's products are sold worldwide through 80 leading international VARs and OEMs serving Internet Service Providers, corporate and business customers, educational institutions, health care, retail establishments, governments and PTTs.

Advanced Computer Communications has its headquarters at 340 Storke Road, Santa Barbara, Calif., 93117; telephone: [phone]; FAX: [phone]. Internet: [e-mail]. World Wide Web: http://www.acc.com. -0- NOTE: Danube, Colorado, Nile and Amazon are trademarks of Advanced Computer Communications. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Advanced Computer Communications Inc., Santa Barbara

Andrew Chase/Jessica Glick, 805/685-4455