| Title: | atm |
| Moderator: | NPSS::WATERS |
| Created: | Mon Oct 05 1992 |
| Last Modified: | Thu Jun 05 1997 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 970 |
| Total number of notes: | 3630 |
The following is an exerpt from an internet newsgroup. The writer appeared
to be someone in the Colorado CSC. It's hard to figure out what the real
story is from this. Anyone familiar with this AOL ATM fiasco? Whose ATM
gear did they have, what were they trying to do with it? What went wrong?
"Or you can wait just a bit longer (those of you suffering with AOL).
Let me explain what happened with AOL. They installed a ton of ATM
hardware for their network just before their "unlimited" service offer
was released. After releasing the offer, they discovered what those of
us in networks already know, ATM just doesn't work over voice grade
lines with lots of traffic.
As a result, they just signed a contract (well technically they were
going to sign it last night, don't know if they did) with Digital and
purchased 50 GIGAswitch/FDDIs because the FDDI technology is stable.
With an agreement to purchase 10/month for at least a year. Basically,
they are replacing their ATM stuff with our GIGAswitch/FDDI boxes.
Once that transfer is complete, AOL access should be back to what it
was before.'
'Gards, Verell
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 826.1 | Partly true... | LFOIS1::MOUSSU | so unusuaL terM | Mon Feb 17 1997 10:22 | 10 |
... as shown is our NPBU success stories (see http://www.imc.das.dec.com/npb-bb/aol_w.htm). AOL is a big GIGAswitch/FFDI customer (more than 40 installed) but that has been done in several successive steps. The mentioned success story does evoke an ATM "disaster" but with no details. The figures given in the news seem very exaggerated since only (!) 13 of them have been installed in CY96 second half. Probably Scott Stuart could elaborate.. provided Digital is allowed to talk about that story. | |||||
| 826.2 | Good FUD, still good account | RDMCS3::STUART | Scott Stuart - NPB SE - 410.315.9954 | Tue Feb 18 1997 07:10 | 30 |
I would repeat what is in http://www.imc.das.dec.com/npb-bb/aol_w.htm
"Although AOL is happy with our products and likes our ATM message,
they are on the brink of deciding
how they want to meet their ATM needs. Now is not the time to highly
publicize the FDDI success,
although it can be mentioned informally.
Update: It is now ok to talk with potential customers and analysts
about the fact that America Online is
using our products-- Doug Heagen checked with the customer. However,
AOL has a policy against
endorsing products publicly. "
They are buying a lot of GIGAswitch/FDDI and they are buying some Fore
ATM switches.
The story in .0 is great FUD but is mostly FUD. Their current problems
in meeing the increased demmand does not have a simple explanation nor
solution. They are very happy with the GS/F and are deploying more and
more of them along with cisco and bay routers.
AOL buys a ton of equipment from many vendors, we are one.
Note that we had our own problems with GS/ATM at the account
although it did not cause any major outages.
regards,
scott
[email protected]
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