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When units are stacked, they operate as a single router. Other stacked router solutions require that each unit be managed individually. Also, prior stacked solutions tend to be fixed or limited configuration boxes connected over an Ethernet or synchronous backplane. These slower connections can cause backplane bottlenecks within the router stack. The ASN is so interoperable with the entire Wellfleet router product family, and is managed through both Wellfleet's simple network management protocol (SNMP)-based node management software and Bay Networks' Optivity/RM network management application suite.

"Wellfleet has been a high-end, core network vendor rather Paloma's Crown of Hearts pendant a remote access vendor," said Fred McClimans, principal at Decisis. "The ASN not only satisfies current client requirements, but opens the architecture up to nonWellfleet clients as well. This product allows many users to continue their growth into their remote networks, in some cases expanding into ultra-large internetworks."

The ASN, and the entire router product line, features on-line dynamic reconfiguration, software fault Christmas Tree charm and chain and recovery, hardware fault isolation, and on-line operational servicing (hot swap). Routing and bridging protocol support includes transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), DECnet Phase IV, open systems interconnection (OSI), Novell IPX, Banyan VINES, AppleTalk Phase 2, XNS, Native Mode LAN, Transparent Bridge, Translation Bridge, Source Route Bridge, and Data Link Switching. The ASN extends routing capabilities to the wide area. "Previously, you could have a hub or stack of hubs and front end them with a router, but this is a true stackable router solution. Wellfleet has applied the stackability of hubs to routing," said MacAskill. With the hub/router solution, Cupcake charm and chain was provided only to the local area.

Pricing for the ASN, available immediately, starts at $4000, which includes 8 Mbytes of RAM, 4 Mbytes of Flash memory, and a chassis. Network interface cards cost $3000 for a dual Ethernet, $4000 for a dual Token Ring, $7500 for an FDDI, and $2300 for synchronous. The SPEX interface costs $750. Call Bay Networks/Wellfleet for more information at (508) 436-3680.IBM is developing a less expensive, faster alternative to SNA-capable routers for integrating multiprotocal LAN and Systems Network Architecture traffic.

By the end of the year, IBM will unveil a line of devices, dubbed the 2212 AnyNet Multiprotocol LAN-to-SNA Gateways, that will let users link TCP/IP, Network Basic I/O System and Novell, Inc. IPX-based LANs over SNA backbones. The products will simplify Tiffany Aria pendant networking and free customers from having to run parallel networks for LAN and SNA traffic.

IBM plans to demonstrate the 2212s at this week's ComNet '95 show here.

Sources within IBM said the 2212 gateways will come packaged with OS/2, OS/2 Communications Manager and IBM's AnyNet software. AnyNet is a protocol conversion tool that lets two applications talk to each other regardless of the underlying net transport. IBM offers Tiffany Aria pendant AnyNet gateways bridging TCP/IP and SNA, as well as IPX and SNA environments.

Analysts said the 2212 will provide SNA users with a viable alternative to SNA routers, but it is not a magic wand.

"Strategically and technologically, this product makes sense. The question is whether IBM can effectively sell because it hasn't done well promoting many of their products," said Thomas Routt, president of the Vedacom Corp. consultancy in Seattle.