Centillion Networks and Hewlett-Packard Company introduce industry's first RMON management capability for switched Token Ring networks; demonstration at NETWORLD+INTEROP, Booth No. 6415.

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 27, 1995--Recognizing the importance of adapting existing network management tools for shared networks to the new switched-networking paradigm, Centillion Networks and Hewlett-Packard Company today introduce the industry's first Remote MONitoring (RMON)-based network management capability for switched token-ring environments.

This capability, demonstrated here at NETWORLD+INTEROP, enables network managers to use HP's NetMetrix network monitoring and analysis applications and LanProbe II for Token Ring to monitor and analyze traffic on the Speed Switch(TM) 100, Centillion's Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)-core local area network (LAN) switch.

The unique roving-monitor capability in the Speed Switch 100 allows network managers to capture switch traffic selectively and forward it for detailed analysis to an HP LanProbe II that is attached to a switched token-ring port. The network manager also can define virtual token rings on the Speed Switch and attach a LanProbe II to listen promiscuously to traffic within each logical network.

"This technology is a welcome breakthrough for network administrators," said John McConnell, president of McConnell Consulting, a market-analyst firm based in Boulder, Colo. "The ability to select and monitor conversations across a switched, virtual LAN is key for successful, cost-effective management."

"Together, HP and Centillion are delivering a breakthrough in switched token-ring management," said Bobby Johnson, president and chief executive officer of Centillion. "With HP's RMON expertise and Centillion's integrated LAN/ATM switching architecture, we can logically extend this capability into ATM."

"As our customers' networks evolve into switched fabrics, HP is investing in sophisticated tools and techniques that integrate the management of these technologies into their existing network monitoring and analysis systems," said Bill Tomeo, general manager of HP's Network Test Division. "This approach can be applied equally well across switched token-ring, ATM, Ethernet and FDDI."

When used in conjunction with one of HP's two network monitoring applications -- NetMetrix for UNIX(R) system-based environments or ProbeView/SNMP for OpenView for Windows -- HP's LanProbe II provides detailed traffic analysis and real-time monitoring capabilities. In addition to statistics, alarms, packet captures and filters, these applications also offer baselining capabilities for planning and threshold setting.

Speed Switch customers can use the traffic metrix that identifies source and destination addresses of conversations to segment the network for optimal performance. The source-route hop table helps customers design virtual token-ring topologies that minimize network latency. Host-Top N groups identify users that originate exception traffic, such as errors or broadcasts, allowing the network manager to take corrective actions proactively and reduce the risk of network faults.

RMON extends the management capabilities of the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) into the area of remote LANs. It provides an efficient way to monitor LAN behavior while reducing the burden on agents and management stations.

U.S. Prices and Availability

HP and Centillion will reference-sell each others' products. The NetMetrix for UNIX system-based application/architecture and HP ProbeView/SNMP for Windows application are available today for $6,090 and $5,080, respectively.

Available for Microsoft Windows, HP-UX(1), SunOS and Solaris operating systems, the applications run under HP OpenView, SunNet Manager or stand alone. The LanProbe II, Model 4985A, also is available and lists for $3,035.

The Centillion Speed Switch 100 is $9,995 and includes a chassis with integrated ATM core and one TokenSpeed switch module. SpeedView for HP OpenView is available for $4,495.

Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global manufacturer of computing, communication, and measurement products and services recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 98,200 employees and had revenue of $25 billion in its 1994 fiscal year.

Founded in September 1993, Centillion Networks, Inc., develops, manufactures and markets high-performance networking products that allow information-intensive organizations to optimize their existing local area network infrastructure while providing an evolutionary path to ATM. Centillion products are marketed to network managers and planners in Fortune 500 and Service 100 companies, large learning institutions and state and local governments worldwide.

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(1) HP-UX is based on and is compatible with Novell's UNIX(R) operating system. It also complies with X/Open's(TM) XPG4, POSIX 1003.1, 1003.2, FIPS 151-1 and SVID2 interface specifications.

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Information in this release applies specifically to products available in the United States. Product availability and specifications may vary in non-U.S. markets.

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CONTACT: Centillion Networks, Inc.

Drusie Demopoulos, 415/969-6700 ext.136

HP/Cunningham Communication, Inc.

Kristina Thorngate, 408/764-0737 or 408/447-6363