IBM Plans Networking Blitz
techweb.com
(09/15/98; 6:45 p.m. ET)
By John Fontana, InternetWeek
IBM next week will show how aggressive it can be in
the Ethernet, ATM, and voice markets with a series of
networking products designed to shed its systems
network architecture (SNA) bias.
The company plans to introduce Ethernet switches,
enhancements to its ATM backbone switch, voice and
data integration support in its router line, and a device
to establish a single point for network access. Most of
the products are being developed internally by IBM, a
dramatic switch from its days of original equipment
manufacturing or reselling technology.
"This is wave No. 2 of execution from IBM that starts
to establish its profile along the lines of a Cisco or
3Com," said Sam Alunni, an analyst with Sterling
Research. "In effect, it amounts to IBM's [network
hardware division] getting into the non-SNA
networking business."
Central to that effort is an access and concentration box
IBM calls the 2212 Access Utility. The four-slot unit
supports numerous interfaces, including 10/100
megabit-per-second Ethernet, token ring, ISDN, and
analog and digital modems. Voice support, including
voice over frame relay and voice over IP, is another
new twist to the access platform.
In addition to multiprotocol routing, the unit can act as a
virtual private network concentrator and also as a "thin
server" for network computers or for AS/400
workgroups.
"Server enablement is where we believe we're leading
the market with the highest levels of integrated
functions," said Jane Munn, director, access product
line management in IBM's Networking Hardware
Division. "We're focusing beyond networking aspects
and looking at the whole customer environment."
Access Utility will be generally available by
mid-November. Pricing is $9,000 for the base
hardware and software, adapters range from $1,000 to
$3,000.
On the Ethernet front, IBM plans to introduce an 8275
Model 324, a 10/100 Ethernet desktop switch with 24
ports. It is priced at $99 per port. The 324 will support
multiple management protocols including management
information bases, Simple Network Management
Protocol, and remote monitoring groups.
IBM also will introduce its 8271 Ethernet LAN switch.
The E series is a 10-Mbps switch in 12- and 24-port
configurations; the F series is a 10/100 switch in the
same configurations. Both products are stackable and
designed for the workgroup.
"We are here to prove that we are in the Ethernet
space," said T.J. Aspden, marketing manager for
Ethernet products in the Networking Hardware Division
of IBM. "And we are filling out our offering with IBM
designed products."
The company also will add enhancements to its 8265
Nways ATM Backbone Switch, including
improvements to CPSW, CP V4, and the WAN
interface card.
The Model 324 will be available on Oct. 30. The 8271
E/12 is priced at $1,495, while the E/24 model is
$1,995. The F/12 is $2,395 and the F/24 is priced at
$3,595. All those products will be available Sept. 25.
The CPSW upgrade is priced at $14,200. The CP V4
with private network-to-network interface support is
$2,500, and the WAN interface card with four ports of
IMA support is $10,000. The 8265 enhancements
will be available Sept. 22. |
