Major New Product Announcement

Multiple Fiber Backbones Become One Managed Network: Racal-Datacom
Announces Industry-First Multi-Ring Capability for its PremNet SONET/SDH
Fiber Backbone Multiplexer

September 11, 1995 -- SUNRISE, FL -- The Racal-Datacom, Inc. PremNet
high-speed fiber-optic backbone system now offers Multi-Ring capabilities,
the company announced today. PremNet is the only fiber backbone
multiplexer in the industry capable of supporting MultiRing topologies. 

With the PremNet backbone's unique new Multi-Ring enhancement, multiple
fiber backbone rings can be connected together to form a seamless,
centrally managed multi-ring network over extended distances. Multi-Ring
also allows 155 Mbps SONET/SDH rings to be connected to each other or
interconnected with standard 100 Mbps PremNet rings to deliver
cost-effective solutions for broadband requirements such as multimedia,
interactive applications, graphics file sharing and full-motion video. 

Multiple fiber backbones become one seamless network delivering data,
voice, video and ATM traffic at native speeds

The PremNet high-speed fiber backbone system is capable of integrating
large volumes of data, voice, video and ATM traffic over the same fiber
optic cable at full native speeds. With the new Multi-Ring capability,
individual PremNet rings transporting disparate types of network traffic
can be seamlessly integrated into a single managed network. 

"This new capability eliminates all the old roadblocks of network design in
terms of configuration and distance," said Charles M. Dillon, Vice
President of the Fiber Systems Group at Racal-Datacom. "Network designers
no longer need to think in terms of single-ring architectures. With this
Multi-Ring capability, the PremNet fiber backbone networks can now form
metropolitan-area networks incorporating two cities miles apart, or even
link to a SONET/SDH cloud to span an entire continent." 

With Multi-Ring, network designers can now consider linking fiber backbones
to transport data across large distances or to remote locations previously
unable to be included on a single backbone network. The new Multi-Ring
capability offers a solution for many applications within global
industries such as banking, transportation, education, healthcare, and
federal, state and local government. For example, universities with
isolated, individual campus backbones in multiple locations can now create
one seamless network to deliver shared learning resources to all
locations. In addition, Multi-Ring enables the PremNet backbone's real
time video capability to transmit video images simultaneously to classes
at multiple locations without the need for special video equipment or
expensive codecs. 

Design Flexibility: SONET/SDH and Mixed-SONET/SDH Ring Topologies

Multi-Ring configurations increase the design flexibility in configuring a
network which best meets the needs of a building, campus or metropolitan
area. Multi-Ring topologies may take the form of a chain with rings linked
end-on-end for maximum distance coverage; a daisy formation in which
multiple rings are linked around a central ring, or a tree topology in
which multiple rings branch out from a single parent ring. 

The PremNet multiplexer has the power to support the largest and most
complex backbones, with the highest ring and node counts in the industry.
With Multi-Ring, up to 74 PremNet nodes may be connected to form a
seamless fiber backbone network. PremNet supports up to 16 nodes on each
ring. A maximum of six rings or 74 nodes can be connected in any
Multi-Ring configuration with each PremNet node capable of being installed
as far as 50 km apart. 

Multi-Ring removes most distance limitations by enabling multiple PremNet
rings to be linked together to span longer distances. Even greater
distances can be accommodated when the Multi-Ring feature is used in
conjunction with SONET/SDH. Multiple PremNet rings can now be linked to a
SONET/SDH wide-area network using a standard SONET/SDH add-drop mux (ADM).
PremNet SONET/SDH optical links have been tested with and are fully
compatible with applicable sections of BELLCORE GR-253CORE and ITU-T
G.707, 708 and 709. 

Enhanced Management, Fault Tolerance for Multi-Ring

The PremNet multiplexer's sophisticated network management makes a complex
Multi-Ring backbone simple to manage. The PremNet System Master Node
manages the entire fiber backbone network, allowing all network operations
to be monitored from one location. The PremNet single point of control
enables management of the entire backbone network via a network management
capability which has been built into the system. Additional management
console terminals can be accommodated through either the Interconnect
Nodes (nodes that are members of two rings) or the Network Nodes (nodes
that are members of a single ring). In each case, all nodes have a unique
and clear communication path to the System Master Node, allowing full
management of all nodes on the network regardless of ring location. 

Reliability and redundancy are key elements of the PremNet fault-tolerant
system architecture. A dual counter-rotating ring architecture prevents
data transmission from being interrupted in the event of a fiber break or
other network failure. The PremNet dual counter-rotating ring topology
even makes it suitable for mission-critical applications such as air
traffic control. PremNet network management features have been enhanced to
allow critical Multi-Ring backbones to be reliably maintained. Detailed
Multi-Ring monitoring, alarm and fault recovery features constantly survey
the backbone and provide early warning of potential network problems. 

Applications: Who Uses A Fiber Backbone? 

Racal-Datacom has installed thousands of PremNet nodes throughout the
world. Major organizations, both public and private, depend on PremNet
backbones for fail-safe data delivery. PremNet backbone networks are
chosen for their flexibility and high reliability. Several Regional Bell
Operating Companies and Competitive Access Providers (CAPs) around the
world use PremNet systems to offer native-speed LAN services to local and
regional subscribers; some of the largest airports in the United States
use the PremNet backbone for control tower and passenger terminal
communications; transportation departments and tunnel authorities
worldwide use PremNet nodes for roadway traffic monitoring, emergency
telephones and video camera control; manufacturers in a wide range of
industries use PremNet nodes for factory production control and video
monitoring; prisons, medical and university campuses use PremNet systems
for long-distance mainframe, T1/E1 and LAN connectivity as well as
specialized video applications such as video arraignments, security
monitoring and distance learning; and numerous national, state, county and
local governments throughout the world use PremNet backbones for
multi-building or crosstown data sharing over fiber cable. 

Pricing and Availability

The PremNet Multi-Ring feature upgrade will be available in October and is
priced at $995. The Multi-Ring capability is enabled via the installation
of the Enhanced Network Management Module which is currently available and
priced at $2,790. 

Hands-On Opportunity

Racal-Datacom provides managed network access products and services for
branch office networks, remote corporate users, telecommuters and
multimedia-media over fiber applications. The company offers a full line
of network access products that add value to existing and evolving
telecommunications carrier services including ISDN, Frame Relay and ATM.
All Racal products are supported by network management and managed
migration services including network design, implementation, worldwide
maintenance and support. 

With operations in more than 80 countries, Racal-Datacom offers customers
the resources and knowledge required for success with multinational
networks. 

Racal-Datacom reported worldwide revenues of $626 million for the fiscal
year ending March 31, 1995. Its parent company, Racal Electronics Plc is a
leading international electronics firm with revenues of $1.5 billion and
more than 100 principal electronics companies worldwide. 

Racal-Datacomm, 1601 N. Harrison Parkway, Sunrise, FL 33323-2899
Mailing Address: PO Box 40744, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33340-7044
305-846-1601;  Fax: 305-846-3935
 
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