- Email: [email protected]
WAN solutions in the pipeline
International EDI software product Digital have launched DEC/EDI, an international EDI software product which is a major component of the company's Network Application Support, and is designed to provide access to business applications resident on both Digital and nonDigital computer systems. To complement the product, the company have also announced the setting up of a comprehensive set of EDI consultancy services. DEC/EDI uses a gateway approach that takes data such as invoices and purchase orders from various applications and translates them into standard EDI formats. Once formatted, the data is sent to external trading partners or subsidiaries via the appropriate VAN. Through DEC/EDI, organizations have the choice of trading directly by using the Odette File Transfer Protocol (OFTP) and the international
CCI-Fr X.400 standard for electronic messaging. DEC/EDI's distributed architecture framework allows an organization to establish a corporate EDI service supporting new applications and increased trading volume, through the use of four major components. The Applications Interface Module provides the link between an existing computer application and EDI. Transactions are converted into the relevant standard by the Translation Module. The Communications Module sends and receives EDI messages to and from trading partners. Finally, comprehensive management facilities allow for auditing, tracking and reporting transactions across the system. DEC/EDI can reside on a single computer system or can be distributed across multiple systems in a Digital network. In the latter situation, information can be
WAN solutions in the pipeline Novell's NetWare Link software product family connect bANs across the range of telecommunications media and data transmission speeds, including asynchronous X.25 public .,or private networks, and high-speed point-to-point synchronous links. The family consists of four products: NetWare Link/T1, NetWare Link/64, Netware Link/X.25 and Netware Link/Async. Netware Link/T1 offers point-topoint connectivity across data transmission speeds ranging from 9.6 kbit/s to 2Mbit/s. At T1 rates (CEPT 2.048 Mbit/s in Europe), users on a geographically distributed bAN can access remote bAN file, print, SNA gateway and database services with, according to Novell, performance comparable to that of a local connection. Database applications, direct file access, file transfer and host access with heavy traffic requirements are all supported. NetWare Link/64 provides the same facilities but at speeds of
vol 13 no 2 march 1990
64 kbit/s and below. Netware Link/ X.25 connects multiple NetWare bANs via an X.25 or private or public network (PDN); up to 11 remote bANs can be linked using a single X.25 line at speeds of 64 kbit/s.
transported across the network using Digital's electronic messaging facility or via DECnet/OSI networking software, thus providing an integrated office communications system. The range of consultancy services that Digital plans to implement can be broken down into two categories: EDI Goal Planner and EDI Consultancy Services. Both are designed to assist customers to analyse current systems, environments and potential impact of EDI, as well as launching initial EDI pilots and strategies. Services on offer include advice on choosing standards for each trading partner relationship, and on establishing the necessary links between the organization and its partners, either through a VAN or directly. In addition, assistance in the planning and management of an EDI network will be on offer, with an update of EDI software to conform to EDI standards as they emerge. (Digital
Equipment Corporation Ltd, Queen's House, Forbury Rd, Reading~ Berks RG13JH, UK. TeI:(0734)868711) [] To complete the family, NetWare Link/Async provides low-cost connectivity for users not requiring high bandwidth or requiring only occasional bAN access, by connecting remote NetWare bANs across standard, voice-grade telephone lines. (Novell UK Ltd, Sweet-
well Rd, Bracknell, Berks, UK)
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Token ring products launched A range of standards-based products has been launched by Cabletron Systems with a view to meeting the growing demands for 4 and 6 Mbit/s token ring networks. A complete stand-alone token ring product range is to be complemented by a series of manageable token ring modules that integrate into Cabletron's Multi Media Access Centre (MMAC) product family. Support of 4 and 6 Mbit/s token ring networks is over a range of physical media, including IBM data, unshielded twisted pair and fibre optic cabling.
All products incorporate Cabletron's LANview diagnostics indicators, as well as token ring cabling and accessories, test equipment, multistation access units (MAUs), extended distance MANs, repeaters and intelligent bridges, which support the IEEE802.1 spanning tree, IBM source routing algorithms and transparent routing. A portfolio of token ring network services including network planning and design, installation, and test and certification is also available. (Cabletron Systems Ltd, Network House, Newbury Business
Park, Newbury, Berkshire, UK)
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CCI-Fr X.400 standard for electronic messaging. DEC/EDI's distributed architecture framework allows an organization to establish a corporate EDI service supporting new applications and increased trading volume, through the use of four major components. The Applications Interface Module provides the link between an existing computer application and EDI. Transactions are converted into the relevant standard by the Translation Module. The Communications Module sends and receives EDI messages to and from trading partners. Finally, comprehensive management facilities allow for auditing, tracking and reporting transactions across the system. DEC/EDI can reside on a single computer system or can be distributed across multiple systems in a Digital network. In the latter situation, information can be
WAN solutions in the pipeline Novell's NetWare Link software product family connect bANs across the range of telecommunications media and data transmission speeds, including asynchronous X.25 public .,or private networks, and high-speed point-to-point synchronous links. The family consists of four products: NetWare Link/T1, NetWare Link/64, Netware Link/X.25 and Netware Link/Async. Netware Link/T1 offers point-topoint connectivity across data transmission speeds ranging from 9.6 kbit/s to 2Mbit/s. At T1 rates (CEPT 2.048 Mbit/s in Europe), users on a geographically distributed bAN can access remote bAN file, print, SNA gateway and database services with, according to Novell, performance comparable to that of a local connection. Database applications, direct file access, file transfer and host access with heavy traffic requirements are all supported. NetWare Link/64 provides the same facilities but at speeds of
vol 13 no 2 march 1990
64 kbit/s and below. Netware Link/ X.25 connects multiple NetWare bANs via an X.25 or private or public network (PDN); up to 11 remote bANs can be linked using a single X.25 line at speeds of 64 kbit/s.
transported across the network using Digital's electronic messaging facility or via DECnet/OSI networking software, thus providing an integrated office communications system. The range of consultancy services that Digital plans to implement can be broken down into two categories: EDI Goal Planner and EDI Consultancy Services. Both are designed to assist customers to analyse current systems, environments and potential impact of EDI, as well as launching initial EDI pilots and strategies. Services on offer include advice on choosing standards for each trading partner relationship, and on establishing the necessary links between the organization and its partners, either through a VAN or directly. In addition, assistance in the planning and management of an EDI network will be on offer, with an update of EDI software to conform to EDI standards as they emerge. (Digital
Equipment Corporation Ltd, Queen's House, Forbury Rd, Reading~ Berks RG13JH, UK. TeI:(0734)868711) [] To complete the family, NetWare Link/Async provides low-cost connectivity for users not requiring high bandwidth or requiring only occasional bAN access, by connecting remote NetWare bANs across standard, voice-grade telephone lines. (Novell UK Ltd, Sweet-
well Rd, Bracknell, Berks, UK)
[]
Token ring products launched A range of standards-based products has been launched by Cabletron Systems with a view to meeting the growing demands for 4 and 6 Mbit/s token ring networks. A complete stand-alone token ring product range is to be complemented by a series of manageable token ring modules that integrate into Cabletron's Multi Media Access Centre (MMAC) product family. Support of 4 and 6 Mbit/s token ring networks is over a range of physical media, including IBM data, unshielded twisted pair and fibre optic cabling.
All products incorporate Cabletron's LANview diagnostics indicators, as well as token ring cabling and accessories, test equipment, multistation access units (MAUs), extended distance MANs, repeaters and intelligent bridges, which support the IEEE802.1 spanning tree, IBM source routing algorithms and transparent routing. A portfolio of token ring network services including network planning and design, installation, and test and certification is also available. (Cabletron Systems Ltd, Network House, Newbury Business
Park, Newbury, Berkshire, UK)
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