Cabletron unveils strategy for merging SNA networks with switched virtual internetworks; announces channel attach services for MMAC-Plus.

ROCHESTER, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 24, 1995--Cabletron Systems (NYSE:CS) today unveiled its OpenSNA strategy, a blueprint for merging SNA networking environments with emerging switched-based virtual internetworks under the company's recently announced Synthesis framework.

The strategy provides tiered connectivity products at all levels of the network, allowing customers to choose their own pace and path for merging traditional SNA networks with switched virtual environments.

In a related announcement, Cabletron unveiled its strategy for integrating Token Ring switching throughout its complete line of intelligent hubs. The switch strategy includes the announcement of a technology partnership and OEM agreement with Nashoba Networks.

"Cabletron is broadening its Synthesis strategy by taking token ring and SNA customers under its wing and extending the benefits of virtual networking and configuration through its switching architecture, without forcing source-route bridge shops into upgrading their core hub chassis platform," said Glenn Gabriel Ben-Yosef, president of Clear Thinking Research Inc.

OpenSNA allows customers to merge SNA networks with emerging switching infrastructures in both routed and switched environments. Besides offering support for Data Link Switching (DLSw) and APPN, Cabletron's OpenSNA strategy offers the ability to merger environments using the company's SecureFast Switching and Virtual Network Services (VNS) technology.

Support for SNA under Cabletron's VNS and SecureFast technology maintains the connection-oriented nature of SNA, allowing SNA devices attached to switched LANs to operate in a virtual switched environment. Under Cabletron's architecture, network managers can maintain the connection-oriented capabilities of SNA including congestion control, path definition, policy enforcement, quality of service, accountability and rerouting tools.

"Cabletron's OpenSNA strategy provides customers with a strategic, cost-effective solution to migrate SNA users to virtual networking, while allowing network managers to apply the same management and policy tools used in emerging virtual networking architectures to their traditional installations," said Robert Travis, Cabletron's OpenSNA product marketing development manager.

SNA Connectivity Solutions

Cabletron's OpenSNA strategy addresses SNA solutions for remote, regional and corporate sites through a combination of strategic partnerships and internally developed technologies.

For customers migrating SNA networks from terminal devices to LAN attached PCs, Cabletron will provide a suite of SNA products, including channel attach modules for the MMAC and MMAC-Plus, along with gateway software as a bundled solution. Channel attach modules will be provided through Cabletron's partnership with BusTech Inc. supporting both ESCON or Bus & Tag connectivity options for LAN to mainframe access, alleviating potentially costly front-end maintenance costs.

Support for Bus & Tag connectivity is currently available for the MMAC through the LCAM-BC modules, with ESCON support for the MMAC and MMAC-Plus available by the fourth quarter of 1995.

Cabletron is also announcing plans to offer TCP/IP passthru and offload for accounts running TCP/IP on the mainframe. To reduce mainframe operational costs, Cabletron will be offering TCP/IP offload services on the LCAM-BC and MMAC-Plus module. TCP/IP passthru is currently available, with offload services available by the end of the year.

Through a series of partnerships with companies including BusTech, CCI, Cisco Systems, Sync Research and IBM, Cabletron will continue to offer SNA services including SDLC/LLC conversion, BSC conversion, Frame Relay (FRAD) technology, IBM controller connectivity, APPN, DLSw and channel attach interfaces.

"Strategic partnerships with eight major companies, combined with their own internally developed technology, provides Cabletron customers with a comprehensive integration strategy of SNA, token ring switching and network management," said Gabriel Ben-Yosef.

Cabletron's SNA products are fully manageable through the company's SPECTRUM for Open Systems enterprise management platform, as well as BlueVision, which integrates SNA and SNMP management under a single management platform.

Headquartered in Rochester, N.H., Cabletron Systems employs over 4,900 people and is the worldwide modular hub market leader.-a Cabletron is ISO 9001-certified and develops, manufactures and markets Ethernet, FDDI, Token Ring and ATM internetworking products and enterprise network management software based in its Synthesis framework. Cabletron now directly services more than 70,000 customers sites around the globe and provides 7 x 24 support coverage, with free phone support during normal business hours.

Cabletron's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CS. The company recently reported record revenue of $810.7 million and earnings of $162 million for the fiscal year 1995.

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a-Source: Dataquest; July 1994.

Cabletron Systems, MMAC, SecureFast, SPECTRUM for Open Systems, MMAC-Plus and Blue Vision are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cabletron Systems. All other products or services mentioned in this document are identified by the trademarks or service marks of their respective companies or organizations.

CONTACT: Cabletron Systems Inc., Rochester

Darren Orzechowski, 603/337-3364

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