New frame-relay access platforms and application-aligned software suites reinforce Sync's position as a premier provider of RFC1490-compliant frame-relay access solutions for IBM-centric networks.IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 1996--Sync Research (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on :SYNX), a premier provider of RFC (Request For Comments) A document that describes the specifications for a recommended technology. Although the word "request" is in the title, if the specification is ratified, it becomes a standards document. 1490-compliant frame-relay access solutions, Tuesday reinforced its position by expanding its hardware platform offerings and introducing a series of new software suites for its award-winning FrameNode family of internetworking Frame Relay Access Devices (communications) Frame Relay Access Device - (FRAD) Hardware and software that turns packets from TCP, SNA, IPX, etc into frames that can be sent over a Frame Relay wide area network. (FRADs). Sync has been a pioneer in the development of SNA (Systems Network Architecture) IBM's mainframe network standards introduced in 1974. Originally a centralized architecture with a host computer controlling many terminals, enhancements, such as APPN and APPC (LU 6. over frame- relay and IBM-interoperable RFC1490 FRAD (Frame Relay Access Device or Frame Relay Assembler Disassembler) A communications device that formats outgoing data into the format required by a frame relay network. It strips the data back out at the other end. solutions. The FrameNode recently won DataComm Test Lab's Tester's Choice in an extensive test between leading FRAD and router performed by the Tolly Group. Among other things, the FrameNode was lauded for its superior multiprotocol prioritization, bandwidth and burst management capabilities in multiprotocol serial and LAN (Local Area Network) A communications network that serves users within a confined geographical area. The "clients" are the user's workstations typically running Windows, although Mac and Linux clients are also used. environments. The new and expanded hardware platforms Each hardware platform, or CPU family, has a unique machine language. All software presented to the computer for execution must be in the binary coded machine language of that CPU. Following is a list of the major hardware platforms in existence today. See platform. combined with new application-aligned software suites on the 4200 series builds on this primacy and extends Sync's price/performance curve from high-end, high-connectivity regional and data-center applications down to single controller applications like stand-alone automatic teller machines (ATMs) and 5x94 controllers. ``The impetus behind these new hardware platforms and software suites is to provide IBM-centric customers with a diverse portfolio of FrameNode system configurations that precisely fit their remote, regional and central site applications from a price/performance perspective,'' stated Todd Krautkremer, vice president of marketing at Sync. ``This strategy parallels the natural segmentation occurring in the frame-relay market in respect to sites requiring specific combinations of serial and LAN protocols, ports and performance- support characteristics.'' Frank Dzubeck, president of Communications Network The transmission channels interconnecting all client and server stations as well as all supporting hardware and software. Architects and recognized industry analyst in the 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) internetworking arena, applauded Sync's new offering: ``The migration of IBM SNA private line network to 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. is no longer fantasy but fact. This announcement by Sync Research adds even greater flexibility to an already flexible, IBM-customer-centric product line.'' FrameNode 4200 Series Tuesday's announcement adds another chapter to Sync's FrameNode 4000 platform strategy, which was launched at Fall InterOp '95 in Atlanta, where it won Best-of-Show Finalist. The new two- and four-port stand-alone/stackable hardware configurations and application-aligned software suites join the previously announced eight-port unit to round out the product series. 4200 Hardware Platforms -- 4200-2X/4200-2E/4200-2T: Supports two high-speed universal serial ports, two async ports for local console A terminal or workstation directly attached to the computer or other device that it is monitoring and controlling. and external DSU/modem management connections, and is available with no LAN port (4200-2X) or with one Token Ring A local area network (LAN) access method developed by IBM. Conforming to the IEEE 802.5 standard, Token Ring uses a token ring access method and connects up to 255 nodes in a star topology at 4, 16 or 100 Mbps. (4200-2T) or Ethernet (4200-2E) LAN port. -- 4200-4X/4200-4E/4200-4T: Supports four high-speed universal serial ports, two async ports for local console and external DSU/modem management connections, and is available with no LAN port (4200-4X) or with one Token Ring (4200-4T) or Ethernet (4200-4E) LAN port. -- 4200-8X/4200-8E/4200-8T: Supports eight high-speed universal serial ports, two async ports for local console and external DSU/modem management connections, and is available with no LAN port (4200-8X) or with one Token Ring (4200-8T) or Ethernet (4200-8E) LAN port. 4200 Software Suites The new FrameNode 4200 software suites allow users to combine specific hardware and software configurations to create tailored FRAD systems with exceptional price/performance: IBM FRAD Suite -- Multiprotocol support for SNA/SDLC, BSC/3270, X.25/QLLC, multipoint async and other serial legacy protocols; -- SNA/LLC2 support over Token Ring or Ethernet with local LLC (Logical Link Control) See "LANs" under data link protocol. LLC - Logical Link Control 2 termination and MAC translational switching; -- Dual NetView/390 and SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) A widely used network monitoring and control protocol. Data are passed from SNMP agents, which are hardware and/or software processes reporting activity in each network device (hub, router, bridge, etc. management agents. Internetworking FRAD Suite -- Single-protocol support for SNA/SDLC, BSC/3270, X.25/QLLC, multipoint async and other serial legacy protocols; -- Single-protocol support for IP, IPX (Internetwork Packet EXchange) The network layer protocol in the NetWare operating system. Similar to the IP layer in TCP/IP, it contains a network address and allows messages to be routed to a different network or subnet. or Source Route/ Transparent Bridging; -- Dual NetView/390 and SNMP management agents. Internetworking FRAD Plus Suite -- Multiprotocol support for SNA/SDLC, BSC/3270, X.25/QLLC, multipoint async and other serial legacy protocols; -- Multiprotocol support for IP, IPX, SNA or Source Route/ Transparent Bridging; -- Dual NetView/390 and SNMP management agents. Customers can size the hardware platform and memory configuration that supports their long-range needs while selecting the precise software suite that meets their current application. Upgrading to high-end software suites on properly configured systems can be performed simply by downline loading across the network. FrameNode 100 and 2200 Series Whereas the 4200 series platforms and software suites provide support for a wide array of midrange and high-end frame-relay access applications, the new FrameNode 100 and 2200 platforms are designed to meet the needs of smaller, single-protocol sites. FrameNode 100 The FrameNode 100 is a cost-effective monoFRAD that delivers all of Sync's renowned NetView and SNMP management capabilities to single port applications like remote ATMs or stand-alone SNA/SDLC or BSC (Binary Synchronous Communications) See bisync. controllers. FrameNode 2200 The new FrameNode 2200 platform provides cost-effective support for small sites requiring two to three downstream serial ports and comprehensive NetView and SNMP management capabilities. It supports both SNA/SDLC or BSC controllers. Pricing and Availability All 4200 series platforms are available immediately along with the IBM FRAD and Internetworking FRAD Plus software suites. The Internetworking FRAD software suite will be available in May 1996. Prices range from $1,995 for a two-port, no-LAN (4200-2X) unit running IBM FRAD software suite to $5,195 for an eight-port, token- ring unit (4200-8T) with Internetworking FRAD Plus software. The FrameNode 100 and 2200 series products will be available in 60 days, priced at $995 and $1,795, respectively. Summary Sync's new hardware platforms and application-aligned software suites for the award-winning FrameNode family of Internetworking FRADs creates a broad line of fully RFC1490-compliant FRADs. Customers will benefit from the ability to select the exact hardware and software system that meets their needs today with full upgradability to higher-end software suites down the road. Company Background Sync Research develops and markets wide-area internetworking products for large IBM-centric network customers worldwide who deploy SNA networks along with internetworked LANs. The FrameNode (named 1994 Hot Product of the Year by Data Communications data communications, application of telecommunications technology to the problem of transmitting data, especially to, from, or between computers. In popular usage, it is said that data communications make it possible for one computer to "talk" with another. magazine) supports users in banking and financial services The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please [ improve this article] or discuss the issue on the talk page. , insurance, transportation, manufacturing, federal and state government, telecommunications and other industries. Sync sells direct through its own field organization and through a variety of partners who manufacture hub and router products or sell wide-area-network services. CONTACT: Sync Research Zuzana Prochazka, 714/460-4428 (media) Ron Scioscia, 714/460-4421 (analysts) or Tony Fisch Consulting Tony Fisch, 818/501-6608 (media) or The Financial Relations Board Inc. Susan Caulton Dooley, 415/986-1591 (analysts) |
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