If this Switch is a dud what alternative switches does NN have to offer the Carriers. Also in the Carrier class, how does NN's switches stack up against LU and NT. In the Enterprise class how does NN's switches compare with those of BAY,CSCO,FORE and CS.
I'm probably not the right person to compare technologies. However, fools rush in. . .
NN is developing its own 50-100 gig capabilities apart from Siemens' 36190. I believe the 170 will extend to 50 gigs in '99. Not sure which quarter. Lucent is shopping for NN-quality ATM switches now. That's why there's so much hype over who they're aiming to buy in October. I'm not sure why Nortel bought BAY in terms of products. I know they wanted their marketing channels. Nor do I know how Nortel's Magellan compares to the 36170, though I know they're interoperable. I'll let Zbyslaw answer this. [Though I suspect you have the answers and want me to speak fluent Swahili when I barely know the alphabet. :)) ]
NN's switches haven't competed in the enterprise space, so I doubt it's fair to compare apples to walnuts. Just the same, the 36170 is so flexible, I'm guessing it's a marketing challenge more than technology.
Bay = Switched Fast Ethernet, Switched Ethernet, Shared Fast Ethernet, SOHO Routers, and Mid-Range Routers. NN competes in none of these. [From JP Morgan Networking Report.]
CSCO has ATM for the backbone that in real-world conditions fails 3 days out of 365. NN's is 18 seconds. NN's also has 100X the reach of any of its competitors, is completely multi-service and end-to-end all the way to the desktop.
Now, I'm beginning to sound like Terry.
FORE has ATM for LAN, again, not NN's space.
CS competes with CSCO in the Fast Ethernet area. I also understand they have Layer 3 switching. I don't know Cisco's position there. If they claim to have it, I'd want to see it in operation.
Could you also confirm if NN's current Network Mgmt system has an open architecture and can be used with other SSR's
What's an "SSR?"
From NN's website:
newbridge.com
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•A scalable, multi-technology management solution for demanding communications environments •Rich graphical user interface for quick user navigation •Redundancy of control and data storage, permitting redundant units to be geographically remote from each other •Multi-threaded, multiprocessor, client/server architecture, allowing up to 128 simultaneous operator sessions and up to 1,128 network partitions
The MainStreetXpress™ 46020 Network Manager Release 1.2 provides unified, standards-based management of Siemens, Newbridge, and third party LANs and WANs, including a hybrid of circuit switching, packet switching and ATM technologies.
The MainStreetXpress 46020 is used to configure the network, manage links and paths, monitor network operations and resolve problems from a central location. End-to-end connections through the network are established by simply clicking on endpoints. Network reliability is ensured through the superior automatic rerouting and restoration functions of the 46020 system.
Multiple Operators
The MainStreetXpress 46020 uses a scalable client/server architecture to provide simultaneous access for up to 128 operators, as well as cost-effective management for networks containing up to 5,000 nodes and 100,000 network paths. Additional servers and workstations can be added easily as your network management needs grow.
Multiple operators can simultaneously manage the network from geographically dispersed sites. You can further tailor management activities by assigning each operator a partial or restricted view of the network.
Multisystem Management
In its optional software modules the MainStreetXpress 46020 uses internationally recognized standard protocols, such as Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and Common Management Information Protocol (CMIP) for managing multivendor devices, and offers integration with standard open software platforms such as HP OpenView. Integration allows operators to move seamlessly between 46020 network views and HP OpenView maps, and to use a wide range of third- party applications.
Service Management for Network Partitions
Partitioning a network can be an effective way to manage resources, customers and operations personnel. A network can be partitioned, for example, to divide it by region or department, or to provide Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for multiple customers. Partitions can be firewalled to provide exclusive control of bandwidth and resources. Operators can be assigned to a specific partition or to the entire network.
With the optional extensions to the MainStreetXpress 46020 service providers can offer Customer Service Management (CSM), allowing customers to access their virtual private networks through an X-terminal or through any SNMP management system.
The MainStreetXpress 46020 Network Manager interoperates with service management systems through industry- standard interfaces using the Connect Exec™ CMIP agent.
<Picture: MainStreetXpress 46020 Figure 1>
Only MainStreetXpress can provide the building blocks for each layer of a broadband network -- access, edge and core -- and offer comprehensive management from the MainStreetXpress 46020 Network Manager.
Performance and Reliability
The MainStreetXpress 46020 Network Manager uses the latest in proven computing and database technologies to deliver top performance and reliability. With the Solaris operating system and the Informix Dynamic Scalable Architecture, the MainStreetXpress 46020 has powerful multiprocessing capabilities that allow mission-critical management tasks to be shared across multiple processors, resulting in high reliability.
If the MainStreetXpress 46020 Network Manager loses its connection to the network, or if there is a problem with the active management station, network control automatically switches over to the standby station, without interrupting network service.
Rich Graphical User Interface
The MainStreetXpress 46020 Network Manager provides an object-oriented view of the network, presenting physical representations of such items as nodes, cards, ports, timeslots, channels and frame stream circuits. Logical or technology-oriented views show such abstractions of the network as paths (circuits) and overlay network links. For easy, quick navigation, the network is presented in a hierarchy of node groups on the network navigation map.
Online Documentation
User documentation for the MainStreetXpress 46020 Network Manager is provided online for quick, customizable, context-sensitive access. Online documentation is based on the Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML).
Technical Summary
Hardware Compatibility
•Wide range of Sun workstations and servers •CD-ROM drive •LAN or WAN Ethernet or ATM connection
Software Compatibility
•Solaris Release 2.4 or later •X11R5-compliant X-server software (for X-terminal login support only) •HP OpenView (optional, for enhanced LAN management)
Related Products
•Network Simulator •Statistics Collector™ •Custom Node Manager •OpenSNMP •4601A MainStreetÿ Auxiliary Network Manager •CrossKeys KeyNotes •CrossKeys KeyInfo •CrossKeys CrossMonitor •CrossKeys CrossControl •CrossKeys OpenTest •CrossKeys KeyBill •MainStreetXpress 48020 MultiNetwork Service Controller •VSN and VBN Agents •Connect Exec •MainStreetXpress 45020 Element Manager •VIVID™ System Manager •CSM Service Director™ •Customer X-Station •CSM Frame Relay SNMP Agent •CSM Cell Relay SNMP Agent
Configuration and Connection Management
•Support for up to 5,000 nodes and 100,000 end-to-end connections •User-configurable network views •Algorithmic rerouting with 16 levels of priority for precedence and pre£mption •Selective rerouting on individual connections •User-definable parameters to steer routes, such as avoiding satellite links or using encrypted facilities •Listing and highlighting of nodes, links and paths •Graphical display of link utilization rates •ATM, frame relay, subrate and ADPCM overlay network support
Fault Management
•Graphical representation of failed devices, allowing isolation to the node, card, port, circuit and link affected •Disaster recovery through alternate destination switchover upon failure of the primary path •Real time alarm reporting •Sophisticated remote diagnostics •Trouble ticket notification and tracking •SNMP trap support
Performance Management
•User-definable collection and graphical display of real time statistics through the Statistics Collector •Network design and planning support through the Network Simulator
Accounting Management
•Per-path usage reports by time of day through the Statistics Collector
Security Management
•Double password protection on all operator accounts •Audit trail of operator login attempts
Standards Compliance
•International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Telecommunications Management Network model, X11R5 •Network Management Forum OMNIpoint •International Standards Organization (ISO) CMIP and SGML •Internet Engineering Task Force SNMP •ATM Forum >>>>
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