NetEdge Systems Announces ATM Connect Edge Router with Frame Relay and X.25 Support

Strategic Insights -

NetEdge Systems Inc. has announced the enhancement of its ATM Connect edge router to support Frame Relay and X.25, enabling remote LANs to be connected into corporate ATM networks. This development is in line with the growing demand for Frame Relay services as a low-cost solution for remote LAN connectivity. The ATM Connect is the first edge router to support ATM routing over all major LANs and WANs, providing a cost-effective, easy-to-manage, and reliable solution for high-performance ATM backbones.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ATM Connect edge router now supports Frame Relay and X.25, in addition to PPP, enabling seamless connectivity between remote LANs and corporate ATM networks.
  • The addition of Frame Relay and X.25 support makes the ATM Connect the first edge router to support ATM routing over all major LANs and WANs, including Ethernet, Token Ring, and FDDI.
  • The ATM Connect's scaleable and modular hardware architecture provides increasing LAN and WAN connectivity as the ATM network grows, with up to 16 Ethernets, 12 Token Rings, and 3 FDDI networks supported.
  • The ATM Connect has 4 built-in high-speed serial ports and comprehensive ATM physical connectivity, including 155 megabit OC-3, 100 megabit TAXI, and 45 megabit DS-3.
  • The distributed edge routing function of the ATM Connect allows the intelligence at the edge of the network to grow as the network grows, eliminating bottlenecks and central points of failure.
  • Pricing and availability: Frame Relay support will be available in March 1995 for $1,500 (U.S.), while X.25 support will be available in 2Q 95 for $2,000 (U.S.).

Statistics:

  • 16 Ethernets supported by the ATM Connect
  • 12 Token Rings supported by the ATM Connect
  • 3 FDDI networks supported by the ATM Connect
  • 4 built-in high-speed serial ports in the ATM Connect
  • 155 megabit OC-3, 100 megabit TAXI, and 45 megabit DS-3 supported by the ATM Connect
  • $1,500 (U.S.) price for Frame Relay Support Software module
  • $2,000 (U.S.) price for X.25 module

Sources:

  • Business Wire, March 13, 1995
  • NetEdge Systems Inc. press release
  • "Best New LAN/Internetworking Product Award" at ComNet in Washington, D.C., January 1995