Eicon Technology Announces CM/2 Connect with IBM to Enhance WAN Connectivity Options

Strategic Insights -

IBM and Eicon Technology have partnered to bring a new software product, CM/2 Connect, which bundles Eicon's Frame Relay, X.25, and SDLC communications capabilities with the next release of IBM's Communications Manager/2 (CM/2) LAN-to-SNA host application. This new product enables corporations to extend CM/2's communications capabilities for mission-critical applications while preserving their SNA networking infrastructures and supporting new SNA network technologies such as APPN and AnyNet. The partnership aims to provide customers with a richer set of communications options and seamless interoperability across traditional and emerging internetworking infrastructures.

Key Takeaways:

  • CM/2 Connect is a software product that bundles Eicon's Frame Relay, X.25, and SDLC communications capabilities with the next release of IBM's Communications Manager/2 (CM/2).
  • This new product enables corporations to extend CM/2's communications capabilities for mission-critical applications while preserving their SNA networking infrastructures and supporting new SNA network technologies such as APPN and AnyNet.
  • The product will be available inside the next release of IBM's Communications Manager/2 at no additional cost.
  • EiconCards supported by CM/2 Connect range in price from $1,095 to $1,695 (U.S.) and are available immediately.
  • CM/2 Connect is designed to IBM's "deep adapter" specification for CM/2, allowing for seamless integration with existing SNA stacks, applications, and APIs.
  • The product enables network administrators to extend their legacy applications over a WAN with the same ease and reliability as adding a Token Ring LAN adapter.

Statistics:

  • Eicon's CM/2 Connect will be available in the next release of IBM's Communications Manager/2.
  • EiconCards supported by CM/2 Connect retail between $1,095 and $1,695 (U.S.)
  • Eicon has designed CM/2 Connect to IBM's "deep adapter" specification for CM/2.
  • CM/2 Connect eliminates the need for a separate line to a remote office.
  • CM/2 Connect extends the life of existing SNA devices, such as 3274s, LAN Gateways, etc.

Sources:

  • Eicon Technology Monday announcement
  • Eicon Technology press release
  • IBM Communications Manager/2 (CM/2) product specifications