New IBM controllers help users build ultra-reliable multiprotocol networks, while reducing costs.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 10, 1995-- IBM today announced new and enhanced switching controller products that enable unprecedented availability for multiprotocol, mission critical environments and provide evolution from hierarchical to distributed, switched networks including Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM).

"These new controllers provide the industry-leading solution for connecting mainframes to distributed networks," said Rick McGee, director of internetworking, IBM Networking Hardware Division. "IBM is making it easy and economical for customers to support large multiprotocol networks without compromising availability. By reducing network costs and enabling switching functions, these products continue the delivery of our Multiprotocol Convergence Strategy, which leads customers to switched-centric networking, and ultimately ATM, while increasing function and performance all along the way."

Today's announcement includest the new IBM 3746 Nways(a) Controller Model 950 and enhancements to the IBM 3746 Nways Controller Model 900.

The IBM 3746 Nways Controller Model 950

The 3746 Nways Controller Model 950 is a multiprotocol switching node that is designed to integrate key networking technologies such as Advanced Peer-to-Peer Networking (APPN)(a), High Performance Routing (HPR), TCP/IP, frame relay and ATM. This integration enables users to combine their SNA and LAN interconnect networks and realize substantial savings in operating costs. The new controller operates independently from both VTAM(a) and Network Control Program (NCP), which further reduces network operating expenses.

The initial release of the Model 950 will support token ring local-area networks, SDLC lines and Enterprise System Connection Channels (ESCON), as well as APPN routing. In later releases, support for frame relay, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), X.25 and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) switching will be added, along with support for TCP/IP and HPR.

APPN enables users to build peer networks dynamically, where nodes can connect and disconnect as needed. Therefore, sessions and routes can be established in realtime, according to the current state of the network. This eliminates dependency on the mainframe.

The controller's availability and throughput will be further enhanced with the addition of HPR, which automatically and transparently reroutes traffic to any open network path and increases performance by at least 300 percent.

The Enhanced 3746 Nways Controller Model 900

The IBM 3746 Nways Controller Model 900 has been enhanced with the standalone routing functions of the Model 950. It also retains its more traditional role as an NCP-controlled communications interface. It can operate in an SNA subarea network and/or an APPN network, giving users a smooth evolutionary path to APPN. The model 900 is field upgradeable to support APPN and field convertible to the standalone Model 950.

"There are many enterprises that run their business-critical applications on multiprotocol networks, and they're looking for the high availability and reliablity normally associated with SNA networks," noted McGee. "For these companies, the 3746 is the answer, not only for today, but as an investment in their future networking needs as they move toward ATM."

"This is a very strong announcement from IBM," added Lynn Nye, president of NetResults, a Portland, Ore. consultancy. "This new class of controllers re-establishes IBM's position in networking systems. By eliminating NCP on the 3746/950 and allowing customers to upgrade the popular 3745/900, these products should make the competition re-calculate their projected revenues for channel-attached products. All the host gateway 'want-to-be's' are going to find the road real tough going now!"

Customer Kudos

The new and enhanced controllers are already gaining kudos from a number of customers.

Bristol-Myers Squibb is among customers planning to look at the 3746 Nways Controller Model 950 for future applications. It can significantly reduce lease expenditures by upgrading to the Model 900 from earlier models. The company will benefit from the 900's improved performance, additional protocol support, faster network and mainframe connections and increased communication line capacity. The company stated that it also expects the controller to help handle the transition from traditional, mainframe computing to a client/server environment.

Banque Nationale de Paris has evaluated the Model 950 technology and feels it is the right match for its network environment. "This product will allow for a lower cost of ownership by saving NCP licenses on several platforms and will allow us to start the evolution from SNA to APPN and HPR," said bank officials.

A large U.S. insurance company says the IBM 3746 Nways Controller is the APPN platform that provides capability and reliability beyond all others. The 3746 is in alignment with its current 3745 strategies of PC network support, the company says.

A large European bank with international links plans to install the 3746 when the controller ships. The bank says it has compared this approach with a channel-attached router alternative and the 3746 Nways Controller "makes more sense."

Rex Johnson of First Data Resources echoes this feeling. "Compared to channel-attached router alternatives, it makes more sense in my network to use the 900/950 controller," Johnson said.

The State of Illinois, Central Management Services (CMS), is continuing its investment in the IBM Controller family of products. "With four production 3746 Model 900s and one test 3746 Model 900, we plan to evolve our SNA and private frame relay, multiprotocol offerings and install the 950 as well when it becomes available from IBM," say CMS officials. -0- (a) Indicates a trademark or registered trademark of International Business Machines Corp.

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