RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, North Carolina - March 18, 1996 - CiscoSystems, Inc. today announced its next-generationtechnology roadmap for integrating existing SNA networks into high-performance, switchedenterprise internetworks that are fast, affordable and easily managed. Thecompany also announced the first set of products that implement the newstrategy.
The "CiscoBlue" strategy addresses the unique requirements ofcustomers with networks based on IBM's System Network Architecture (SNA).CiscoBlue extends the reach and manageability of traditional SNA networksby integrating them into multiprotocol, high-speed switched environments.It includes elements of the CiscoFusion(tm)architecture (which definesthe interaction of routing, switching and ATM technologies), the CiscoIOS(tm) software and the CiscoWorks(tm) networkmanagement system.
Increasing Demand for SNA Products
The demand for SNA internetworking products is growing rapidly asclient/server networks proliferate in enterprises that still have manymission-critical applications on SNA networks. SNA environments generate61 percent of all data network traffic, according to a 1995 survey by CIMICorp., a Voorhees, NJ consultancy. SNA internetworking products are soughtby customers who want a single, cost-effective multiprotocol network thatcan consolidate SNA and non-SNA traffic, as well as support newtechnologies such as LAN and ATM switching.International Data Corporation (IDC) predicts that the value of theSNA internetworking market will grow to over $1.6 billion by 1997. Ciscois the leader in this market, currently earning over 72 percent of thedollars spent on SNA internetworking products by enterprise customersworldwide, according to a 1995 survey by IDC.
The CiscoBlue strategy outlines how SNA users can build networksusing routers, LAN switches and ATM switches; facilitate the integration ofSNA and other protocols; and enable high-speed access to mainframes in thedata center. The CiscoBlue plan also will enable customers to use networkmanagement solutions to consolidate SNA and non-SNA management data.
CiscoBlue is the next generation of Cisco's IBM internetworkingroadmap, which was launched in 1991. The final phase of this plan wascompleted in 1995 with the introduction of the Channel Interface Processor(CIP), Advanced Peer-to-Peer (APPN) software and CiscoWorksBlue, Cisco's integrated network management strategy for SNAenvironments.
"CiscoBlue is an end-to-end solution that leverages Cisco'stechnology and expertise for the next wave of SNA/client-server integratednetworks," said Selby Wellman, vice president and general manager ofCisco's InterWorks Business Unit. "Our SNA customers have asked us toprovide integrated, high-bandwidth solutions such as ATM and Token Ringswitching products that, when deployed in conjunction with their routers,will bolster their existing networks and provide them with fast, easilymanaged networks."
Switching, Convergence and Management Solutions for Internetworking in IBMEnvironments
CiscoBlue offers cost-effective, easily managed solutions for SNAenvironments in the areas of switching, LAN/WAN convergence and managementin a phased approach.Switching
CiscoBlue will provide Token Ringswitching products thatcomplement existing Cisco Catalystand LightStream families ofworkgroup,campus, and backbone switches to give networks additional bandwidth withimproved management and security features. New Token Ring switchingcapabilities will include both stackable switches for the workgroup and aToken Ring module for the Catalyst5000 series for the wiring closet andcorporate backbone. Software enhancements for native protocol support,virtual LANs (VLANs) and LAN Emulation (LANE) will enable efficient andeffective use of switched networks.LAN/WAN Convergence
CiscoBlue provides traffic consolidation throughout the enterprisenetwork from the data center to the branch office, scaling high-speednetwork access for any internetworking environment regardless of size.Cisco's mainframe channel-attached products provide high-speed SNA andTCP/IP access to the datacenter to improve network performance whilereducing overall cost. With today's announcement of TN3270 Server supporton Cisco's Channel InterfaceProcessor (CIP), Cisco adds TCP/IP clientaccess to SNA applications on the mainframe. APPN is being enhanced withsupport for new switched services including Integrated Services DigitalNetwork (ISDN), Switched Multimegabit Data Service (SMDS) and ATM. DLSw+will add dial-on-demand routing (DDR) features. In addition, BoundaryAccess Node (BAN) support will complete the set of Frame Relay offeringsprovided by the Cisco IOS software.Management
Key to the overall CiscoBlue strategy is the delivery of WANnetwork management capabilities made possible through developments in boththe Cisco IOS software and the CiscoWorks Blue integratednetwork management applications. Combined, these solutions will manage Ciscointernetworks from mainframe or Simple Network Management Protocol(SNMP) workstation platforms and provide tools for networkoptimization.Adding to the Native Service Point feature of CiscoWorks Blue,which was announced in July 1995, today's announcement of CiscoWorks BlueMaps and CiscoWorks Blue SNAView provide enhanced tools for visualizationand problem determination in networks that integrate SNA and TCP/IPprotocols. Future CiscoWorks Blue capabilities will offer new design toolsfor network operators to proactively model and simulate proposed networkconfigurations and enable network optimization.
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is theleading global supplierof internetworking solutions,including routers, LAN and ATM switches,dial-up access servers and network management software. These products,integrated by the Cisco IOS software, linkgeographically dispersed LANs,WANs and IBM networks. Cisco Systems news and product/service informationare available at World Wide Web site http://www.cisco.com. Cisco Systemsis headquartered in San Jose, Calif.
Posted: Mon Mar 18 08:53:13 PST 1996
