THE TOLLY GROUP CONFIRMS: BARR DOUBLES SDLC THROUGHPUT

(Manasquan, NJ - March 14, 1994)  A test report issued by The Tolly Group 
(formerly InterLAB) confirms that Barr Systems' SDLC adapter and software
can  double throughput over SDLC links. Without increasing line speed or
upgrading  modems, Barr's support of DATMODE=FULL yields higher throughput
by  simultaneously sending and receiving SDLC frames. Barr's solution,
T1-SYNC for  SNA Server, is the only product for the Microsoft SNA gateway
that provides this capability. Another Barr product, T1-SYNC for NetWare
for SAA, is expected to  provide similar performance improvements for
Novell's SNA gateways.

The Tolly Group ran tests between a mainframe simulator and three 3270 
emulators. In the middle, the SNA Server was configured with Barr's
T1-SYNC  adapter and a new link service developed by Barr Systems. Total
throughput was compared between DATMODE=HALF and DATMODE=FULL
configurations at various link  speeds. Throughput increases of up to 100
percent were observed at 9.6, 19.2  and 56 kilobits per second (kbps). 

In a second test, APPC/LU 6.2 data was transferred between two PCs running
the  SNA Server. In this configuration, the increase in throughput was
measured at  up to 96 percent at data rates up to 128 kbps. True
full-duplex is particularly  valuable in peer-to-peer applications, since
there is often a similar amount of traffic travelling in both directions.


The DATMODE=FULL protocol was defined by IBM shortly after the original
SDLC protocol was created. It is supported by VTAM and used for most
mainframe-to- mainframe SDLC links. To this day, however, very few SNA
gateways or other  downstream products have implemented it. Barr has
included this high-performance capability in its Remote Job Entry (RJE)
products since 1989. Since most  communications lines and modems already
support full-duplex operation, users can enjoy the increased throughput
simply by choosing the Barr product and changing one VTAM parameter in
their host configuration.

Tony Barr, President of Barr Systems, said, "The opportunity to double SDLC
 throughput for such a small investment is truly compelling. Without
DATMODE=FULL support, you are just throwing away bandwidth." Mr. Barr says
he continues to be amazed that so few other vendors offer this
high-performance feature. 

The Tolly Group is the internetworking industry's premiere source for 
independent testing, consulting, seminars, and reports. It offers a full
range  of products and services designed to furnish both the vendor and
the end-user communities with authoritative and unbiased information. The
testing was  conducted as part of their "Up To Spec" certification of the
Barr product's  performance claims.

For a limited time, Barr's T1-SYNC for SNA Server is available with 
DATMODE=FULL at any data rate up to 2.048 Megabits per second for $700.
After  that, premiums will be applied to high-speed configurations. The
price includes the Barr T1-SYNC high-speed synchronous ISA-bus adapter
board and all software  required for use with the Microsoft SNA Server. A
free copy of The Tolly Group  test report can be obtained from Barr
Systems by calling 800-BARR-SYS or  904-371-3050.

Barr Systems, Inc
4131 NW 28 Lane
Gainesville, FL  32606-6681
800-BARR-SYS or 904-371-3050

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