MENLO PARK, Calif., Dec. 7, 1992 -- Cisco Systems has begun shipping a connector that makes it easier to attach itsAGS+, MGS and CGS routers to IBM SDLC (Synchronous Data LinkControl) devices such as front-end processors, clustercontrollers and PC gateways.
Available immediately, the SDLC applique (mounting platewith connector hardware) eliminates the need for SDLC clustercontrollers to pass through an expensive standalone converteror be reconfigured for attachment to Cisco routers runningserial tunnel (STUN) or SDLC-to-LLC2 conversion (SDLLC). TheSDLC applique supports both data encoding schemes used by IBMSDLC controllers, NRZ (Non Return to Zero) and NRZI (NonReturn to Zero, Inverted).
The applique supports emulation of half-duplex operationwhen configured as a DCE (Data Communications Equipment)device, for connecting the communication circuit with the enddevice.
"The SDLC applique is Cisco's response to requests fromSNA-based customers, especially at sites with older SNAboundary area networks, who are unable to alter their endsystems to operate in full-duplex mode," said Bing Liao,Cisco's IBM product manager. "Many of these systems havebeen in operation for 15 years or more and little expertiseis available today to change the configuration."
The cost of the SDLC applique ranges from $150 for one RS-232 serialconnection to $1,200 for eight connections (U.S. list price). Cisco routersordered with the SDLC applique are preconfiguredfor NRZI.
Cisco intends to enhance the SDLC interface on itsrouters to support half-duplex operation when configured as aDTE (Data Terminal Equipment) device. Half-duplex operationin a DTE configuration will enable modem connections (asopposed to direct connections) between Cisco routers and SDLCdevices.
Cisco Systems, Inc., is the leading worldwide supplierof high-performance, multimedia and multiprotocolinternetworking products, including routers, bridges,communication servers and network management software. Ciscotechnology can be used to build enterprise-wide networkslinking an unlimited number of geographically dispersed LANs,WANs, and IBM SNA internetworks. In the United States, Ciscois traded over-the-counter under the NASDAQ symbol CSCO.
Posted: Jan 4 14:01:39 1993
