IBM Delivers on Multiprotocol Promise Boosting Networking Product Lineup

Research Triangle Park, NC, March 21, 1995 ... In response to customer
demand for multiprotocol network solutions, IBM today introduced products
designed to consolidate Systems Network Architecture (SNA) and LAN-based
networks. The new products will also help customers move to high-bandwidth
networks by bringing the benefits of SNA -- traffic prioritization, data
compression, cost-effective bandwidth utilization, and proven management
-- to the LAN.

Today's improved support for multiprotocol, higher bandwith networking also
furthers IBM's initiatives in network-centric computing, in which users
benefit from anytime, anywhere access to information in a seamless and
transparent manner.

The announcement today includes:

  *    2217 Nways Multiprotocol Concentrator
  *    Advanced Communication Function/Network Control
       Program Version 7 Release 3
  *    Nways Multiprotocol Routing Network Services
       Version 1 Release 2
  *    Two new models of the 2210 Nways Multiprotocol
       Router

The new products bring together most of the major networking protocols,
including SNA, Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP),
IPX, and NetBIOS into a single, consolidated network through a technique
called "multiprotocol convergence."

Although SNA and LAN-based networks have traditionally been run separately,
customers have found that this is an expensive way to go. Since one
network costs less to run, multiprotocol convergence will help customers
cut their network costs and simplify their infrastructure, while
satisfying their multiprotocol requirements.

According to William (BJ) Johnson, general manager, IBM Networking Hardware
Division, the requirement for multiprotocol convergence comes directly
from customers, and the technology changes, budget constraints and
organization realities that naturally shape network transition.

"The products announced today give customers the ability to preserve and
leverage their investment in networking skills and equipment as they build
more powerful and integrated networks," he said. "These networks provide
the higher bandwidth needed by client/server, multimedia and
object-oriented solutions."

Today, IBM is responding to the needs of customers with large SNA and/or
APPN* (Advanced Peer-to-Peer Networking) network backbones who have
requested a high-performance solution for multiprotocol LAN/WAN (wide area
network) inter-networking. The new IBM 2217 Nways* Multiprotocol
Concentrator, which enables multiprotocol convergence via SNA transport,
delivers on that promise.

This low cost solution leverages existing SNA networks and skills to
transport LAN-to-LAN traffic at a lower total cost than most router-based
solutions. The 2217 supports both SNA and APPN networks today, and will
add support for High Performance Routing (HPR) networks later in 1995 and
into 1996.

For other customers who need to converge large router-based multiprotocol
backbones with SNA, IBM now offers the Boundary Access Node (BAN)
function. Offered in both Advanced Communication Function/Network Control
Program (ACF/NCP) Version 7 Release 3 and in the software products that
support IBM's Nways routers, the Boundary Access Node function provides
direct frame relay communication between the IBM 3745 or 3746
Communication Controller and IBM's 2210 and 6611 multiprotocol router
products.

With this announcement, customers whose networks have significant amounts
of both SNA and LAN traffic can utilize the capabilities of both worlds.
BAN provides a powerful new level of frame relay interoperability between
the IBM Communication Controller and the IBM 6611 or 2210 by multiplexing
several protocol environments over a single frame relay connection, thus
saving network operating cost.

In addition, the IBM 2210 Nways Multiprotocol Router now offers double the
previous memory options, plus future upgrade capability, with the
announcement today of two new models and a memory expansion feature. The
2210 also provides enhanced bridging functions over frame relay networks
and supports ISDN connections for Europe and Japan.

All of these products fit within the Communications Services layer of the
Open Blueprint by enabling applications with multiple and different
protocols to easily communicate.

The IBM Open Blueprint is the market-leading approach for open, distributed
computing. It incorporates a range of standards and offers the best
assurance that businesses can build, run and manage distributed
applications in a diverse, multivendor world.

IBM news releases are available on the Internet, via the IBM Home Page at
http://www.ibm.com

The IBM Fax Information Service allows you to receive facsimiles of prior
IBM product press releases. Dial 1-800-IBM-4FAX and enter "99" at the
voice menu.

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