| CERN Site Test Agreement
<< Short Q & A >>
Q: What is the exact nature of the testing to be conducted at CERN?
The test will verify Digital FDDI product functionality. Digital FDDI
products will complement existing Ethernet LAN technology at CERN and
involve an extensive campus-wide backbone configuration. CERN operates
one of Europe's largest bridged Ethernet Local Area Networks, utilising
Digital LANBridge 100's today, with over 30 Ethernets split into more
than 200 segments and connecting over 1700 multivendor devices.
Q: When will the testing take place?
A: Testing will be implemented in the first half of 1990.
Q: What products will be involved?
The test will involve Digital products which are ANSI X3T9.5 FDDI
compliant. Digital's products will be functionally similar to bridges
or routers, concentrators and system communications controllers which
will be the primary components of FDDI network constructs.
Q: What type of fiber optic cables will be supported?
A: The test will involve the customer fiber infrastructure of 50/125
micron fiber, as well as local connections using 62.5/125 micron fiber.
Q: What are CERNs overall plans with respect to FDDI?
A: CERN will be testing other vendor's products with the intent of
eventually building a multivendor FDDI environment. FDDI holds the
promise of providing a true multivendor, high speed LAN environment. It
is CERN's objective, in pursuing this cooperative test agreement, to
test the viability of FDDI as a standards-based technology and its
ability to address the volume of data associated with the new research
being conducted at CERN.
Q: If SMT is not finalized, how can Digital build and test products?
A: Digital has a fully functioning version of the SMT that reflects the
current state of the standard, which will be updated as the standard is
solidified. Digital believes that enough "hooks" have been built into
it's chipset that any changes required to become fully SMT compliant
could be accomplished in a firmware upgrade.
Q: What changes to SMT will have to be made when the standard is finalized?
A: The X3T9.5 committee hopes to have a baseline draft of SMT before the
end of the calendar year that all vendors can build to. It is
impossible for Digital to predict what changes might be required but we
believe we will be able to accomplish all required changes through
firmware.
Q: What plans does Digital have to manage these new networks?
A: Digital recognizes the importance of having management software for any
LAN implementation. Digital will supply a complete FDDI solution (FDDI
hardware and managment software) at first shipments.
Q: Digital discussions involving FDDI configurations show "bridges",
but is Digital considering building FDDI "routers".
A: Digital does not discuss unannounced products. However, DECnet/OSI as
does DECnet Phase IV,provides for routing functions whether they are
provided by dedicated devices or VAXs acting as designated routers.
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