Compaq launches Netelligent 8500 Communications Platform; First industry-standard-based router; New router and network management software deliver unmatched price/performance and ease of use.HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 1996--With today's introduction of a new router based entirely on industry standards, Compaq Computer Corporation (company) Compaq Computer Corporation - The largest US manufacturer and vendor of IBM PC compatible personal computers and servers. Compaq was started in 1982 by three ex-Texas Instruments employees. Quarterly sales $2499M, profits $210M (Aug 1994). http://compaq.com/. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :CPQ CPQ Compaq CPQ Conseil du Patronat du Québec (Canada) CPQ Configure-Price-Quote CPQ Conseil de Presse du Québec (Québec Press Council, Canada) CPQ Companion Parrot Quarterly ) lowers cost of ownership while simplifying network configuration, performance and management with a new generation of networking products. The Compaq Netelligent 8500 Communications Platform differs from other routers in that it is based entirely on industry-standard hardware components and industry-leading Cisco IOS Cisco IOS (originally Internetwork Operating System) is the software used on the vast majority of Cisco Systems routers and all current Cisco network switches. IOS is a package of routing, switching, internetworking and telecommunications functions tightly integrated with a (Internetworking Operating System operating system (OS) Software that controls the operation of a computer, directs the input and output of data, keeps track of files, and controls the processing of computer programs. ). This product enables a scalable high-performance solution that delivers midrange performance at half the price of competitive products. The router is bundled with Compaq Netelligent Management Software version 1.1 also announced today and Compaq Insight Manager 3.0, thereby making integration, configuration, and management of the end-to-end client/server network (1) A communications network that uses dedicated servers. In this context, the term is used to contrast it with a peer-to-peer network, which allows any client to also be a server. (2) A network that is processing applications designed for client/server architecture. environment extremely easy. Compaq anticipates that, with this new communications platform, it can capture a greater share of the rapidly expanding small- and medium-size business networking This article needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications. Alone, primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of this article are not sufficient for an accurate encyclopedia article. market by redefining how these products will be deployed by customers in the future. "Compaq has successfully used a similar industry- standard/open-architecture strategy to create, define and take the lead in the server market and to scale its server technology into traditional midrange computing environments that were once the exclusive domain of companies like IBM (International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, www.ibm.com) The world's largest computer company. IBM's product lines include the S/390 mainframes (zSeries), AS/400 midrange business systems (iSeries), RS/6000 workstations and servers (pSeries), Intel-based servers (xSeries) , DEC and Hewlett-Packard," said Doug Pushard, Vice President, Networking Products Division, Compaq Computer Corporation. "The introduction of the Compaq Netelligent 8500 Communications Platform applies this unique Compaq business model of leveraging industry-standard platforms and strategic partnerships to the networking marketplace, delivering unmatched price/performance and flexibility, as well as unprecedented ease of use in deploying and managing networking devices," Pushard concluded. The Netelligent 8500 is used to interconnect local-area networks Local-area networks Computer networks that usually cover a limited range, say, within the boundary of a building. A computer network is two or more computers that communicate with each other through some medium. (LANs) over wide-area networks Wide-area networks Communication networks that are regional, nationwide, or worldwide in geographic area, with a minimum distance typical of that between major metropolitan areas. Smaller networks include metropolitan and local-area networks. (WANs) such as leased lines, Frame Relay A high-speed packet switching protocol used in wide area networks (WANs). Providing a granular service of up to DS3 speed (45 Mbps), it has become popular for LAN to LAN connections across remote distances, and services are offered by most major carriers. and X.25 services. "Compaq's launch of its new router will round out their networking product line of NICs, hubs and switches. Already, Compaq ranks fifth in the switched hub market -- the segment best matched with Compaq's focus on networking medium-size companies or workgroups within corporations," said Tam Dell'Oro, Principal of the industry analyst firm The Dell'Oro Group. The Compaq and Cisco alliance, announced in June of 1995 (a), was specifically chartered to develop an industry- standard, open-architecture router platform hosting Cisco IOS software technology. The two firms expanded their agreement in July 1996 (b), announcing a joint marketing plan aimed at expanding the market for a router -- such as the one announced today -- and possibly other networking products. "Cisco and Compaq have worked in close cooperation to integrate components of the industry-leading Cisco IOS Technologies and networking services software with Compaq's routing hardware," said Stephen DeWitt, Vice President of Enterprise Marketing. "The result is an impressive synthesis of hardware and software that will extend reliable, scalable, cost-effective internetworking solutions to the growing small and medium business market. This strategic partnership defines a new business model delivering Cisco IOS Technology solutions to customers served by volume channels." The Compaq Netelligent 8500 Communications Platform uses an industry-standard X86 processor architecture, industry-standard SIMMs, and a gigabit PCI (1) (Payment Card Industry) See PCI DSS. (2) (Peripheral Component Interconnect) The most widely used I/O bus (peripheral bus). backplane. The router is designed to provide easy access to all electronic components even after it has been rack-mounted. The convenient pull-out service tray provides fast and easy access to the processor module and three expansion slots that support up to three standard PCI controllers for Ethernet, Fast Ethernet An earlier name for 100Mbps Ethernet. See 100Base-T. (networking) Fast Ethernet - A version of Ethernet developed in the 1990s(?) which can carry 100 Mbps compared with standard Ethernet's 10 Mbps. It requires upgraded network cards and hubs. , Serial or ISDN ISDN in full Integrated Services Digital Network Digital telecommunications network that operates over standard copper telephone wires or other media. . The use of PCI technology will enable Compaq to rapidly develop new features for the 8500 Netelligent platform, including support for Token Ring, FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) Often pronounced "fiddy," it was a LAN and MAN access method that had its heyday in the mid-1990s. FDDI was an ANSI standard token passing network that transmitted 100 Mbps over optical fiber up to 10 kilometers. , and Primary Rate ISDN. The unit ships with an embedded 10Base-T UTP/BNC controller and is the first router in its price range to support 100TX using a field upgradable 100Base-TX module. The PCI midplane supports three expansion slots which can be populated by incremental Ethernet interfaces, serial adapters, or ISDN Basic Rate Interfaces (BRI See ISDN. BRI - Basic Rate Interface ). The serial adapter is a 2-port, processor-assisted card capable of sustaining T1/E1 rates over both ports, and the BRI adapter supports ITU (International Telecommunication Union, Geneva, Switzerland, www.itu.ch) A telecommunications standards body that is under the auspices of the United Nations. Comprising more than 185 member countries, the ITU sets standards for global telecom networks. standard signaling, framing and formatting for two 64 Kb/s channels and one D-Channel (2B+D). Additionally, the Netelligent 8500 ships with 8MB of DRAM expandable to 40 MB using industry-standard SIMMs. Compaq Netelligent Management Software v. 1.1 brings router configuration and management to new levels of ease of use in the industry. The 32-bit Windows 95/Windows-NT-based application program presents the user with a palette of networking icons which can be dragged into a workspace window. The software prompts and guides the user through the entire configuration process, eliminating the need to use complex command line instructions. Once created, the configuration file can be duplicated and used to configure multiple routers quickly and easily. The Netelligent Management Software is easily integrated with Compaq Insight Manager 3.0 a network and systems management tool that delivers configuration, performance, and fault management for Compaq servers and Netelligent networking products for end-to-end network and system management on one console. The Netelligent 8500 Communications Platform starting price is $2,767 (c) and will be available in volume in October. The router carries a three-year limited warranty Limited warranty A warranty with certain conditions and limitations on the parts covered, type of damage covered, and/or time period for which the agreement is good. with one-year on-site service and support. Company Background Compaq Computer Corporation, a Fortune 100 company and the world's largest supplier of personal computers, delivers useful innovation through products that network people with information. Compaq is strategically organized to meet the current and future needs of its customers, offering Internet and enterprise computing solutions, networking products, commercial PC products and consumer PCs. In 1995, the company reported worldwide sales of $14.8 billion. The company is an industry leader in environmentally friendly programs and business practices. Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners. Customer support and information about Compaq and its products can be found at http://www.compaq.com or by calling 1-800-OK-COMPAQ. Product information and reseller locations can be obtained by calling 1-800-345-1518. -0- (a) See: Cisco Router Technology To Be Integrated With Compaq Platform, June 26, 1995 (b) See: Compaq and Cisco Extend Strategic Partnership To Joint Sales and Marketing, July 29, 1996 (c) All prices shown are estimated selling prices. Reseller prices may vary. Compaq, Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. CONTACT: Compaq Computer Corporation Dave Anderson, 713/514-0484 davea@netgate.compaq.com or Miller/Shandwick Technologies Eric Grodziski, 617/536-0470 egrodziski@miller.shandwick.com |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion