Conference 7.286::fddi

81.0. "Need Availability figures for FDDI products" by KETJE::ADANS () Mon Jun 25 1990 03:22

Hi there,

Last week, I went to ETCA (Etudes Techniques et Constructions Aerospatiales) 
which is a subsidiary of ALCATEL and subcontractor to the european consortium 
that will build the HERMES space shuttle. ETCA is responsible (amongst
others) for the test-bed equipment. 

An FDDI LAN could indeed be used to connect the systems that will collect 
data during the tests of the shuttle. Arguments such as speed, throughput,
standards, dual ring configurations, etc ... are working in favor of FDDI.

However, considering the high level of risks involved (example: Challenger),
they say they would like to know about the availability of FDDI elements.
For example: do we have MTBF figures for the concentrator, bridges, adaptors ?

A visit to a satisfied FDDI field test site is also to be considered.
Are the CERN people satisfied ? who should we contact in order to arrange
for a visit ?

Failure to provide the prospect with the appropriate information would
convince them to continue with an 802.4 Token Bus sort of solution with
which they feel quite comfortable ("deterministic" behaviour under high 
load, real time responsiveness, standardization, proven quality of equipment
from different vendors, ...). If they choose for this sort of solution
we might not only loose the network sale but also the systems sale for this
highly visible project.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much in advance and best regards,
Christian Adans
EIS Belgium  

    Contact John Swan @VBO for more info on FDDI in Europe. He's the
    European marketing manager for FDDI.
    
    
    Debbie
    

Hi Debbie,

I did contact John Swan ... after one week I still have no answer.
So... the questions are still open. Who else can I contact ?

Ch

    Hi Christian,
       John may be out of town or something. He's really the best person in
    Europe to contact. You can always try Karl Pieper in the U.S., since
    he's the manager of the FDDI marketing group here. He's on DELNI:: or
    @LKG. Or try Jim Marsh, DELNI:: or @LKG. One of them should be able to
    help you out.
    
    regards,
    Debbie
    

Thanks a bunch Debbie. I'll try to contact Jim or Karl.

Regards,
Christian

    Christian,
    John has been in the U.K for the last week or so. I think he is
    going to be in Geneva next week if you need to track him down.
    
    Neil