Conference 7.286::fddi

259.0. "Questions from Network Architects" by 58431::FLOTNER (Ralph Flotner - @TRC - DTN 637-3504) Wed May 15 1991 09:13

    Hi,
    
    I have received a list of questions from client Bell Canada.  I was
    wondering if someone could shed some light on some of these issues.
    
    The questions are from their network architects, who are planning
    for the next 5 to 10 years.
    
    Thank you in advance,
    
    Ralph Flotner
    DTN 637-3504
    ***********************************************************************
    


                  BELL - DEC MEETING ON MAY 17, 1991
                  ----------------------------------

Topics of interest to Bell, in terms of DEC's product plans and/or
general directions:

A) Highspeed Networking Products (T1 and above data rate)

   - CPE (including Bridge, Router, Gateway and other FEP interfaces)
     . What speed will be supported: T1, T3, STS-1 or -3c?     
     . Specific product support for Frame Relay? (we are aware of 
       Joint DEC/Cisco/Stratacom/NT efforts in setting a de facto 
       network management specification, LMI)

   - Host Channel Attachment Support (Mainframe and/or Mini)
     . What speed will be supported: T1, T3, 100 Mbps, STS-1 or -3c?   

   - EtherNet and/or Token Ring Interconnection over wide area (a la 
     Telcos) networks via a SONET VT interface (e.g. VT6-2c for a 10 
     Mbps channel)
     . Projection of market needs?
     . Specific product plans?

   - FDDI Interconnection over wide area networks
     
     Near-term Solutions (e.g. Bus/Ring Extension, Bridging or                          
                         Routing between 2 FDDI systems, multimode-to-
                         single mode conversion)
                         . DEC's view of any preferred approach ?
                         . Perceived public network carrier needs?
 
     Longer-Term Solutions (e.g. interworking with Carriers' ATM 
                           Broadband Network via AAL)

   - Support for enhanced FDDI products (FDDI-II, FFOL 622 Mbps 
     backbone)
     . DEC's position, prediction of market?
     . Specific product plans?

   Key underlying issue:  As a leading computing/networking vendor, 
   what are DEC's predictions of highspeed networking product require-
   ments up to the mid-90s, and what specific product plans are DEC 
   putting in place to address these needs.   


B) Data Transfer Protocol

   - It has been stated that the maximum throughput achievable using 
     existing internet protocols such as TCP/IP, is about 17 Mbps.  In 
     anticipation of highspeed CPE in use or under development (e.g. 
     100 MIPS RISC-based workstations) and proliferation of highspeed 
     interfaces such as HSSI, and HIPPI, a new generation of protocols 
     will be required to capitalize on high-performance networks being 
     introduced in the near future.  Thus, the development of high-
     throughput data protocols such as Silicon Graphics' XTP, and the 
     ESPRIT's TPX (Project OSI 95) as referenced in IEEE Spectrum 
     Magazine Jan '91 (p.51).

     Issue: What position has DEC taken, with respect to development 
     of high-throughput protocols, and what specific product plans (if 
     any) are in place to address this internetworking requirement?


C) ANSI/T1 Standards Directions

   - What is DEC's position in T1S1 with respect to the promotion of 
     T3 and FT3 rate frame relay, as an alternative to Bellcore's 
     SMDS?

     This issue appears to be in a critical phase, as the T1S1.5 AAL 
     AD-Hoc group are currently deciding on work priorities and their 
     associated technical scopes.  As a major computer manufacturer, 
     DEC (as well as IBM) may be exposed to significant design      
     impacts if the structure of the AAL, particularly for Class C      
     (connection-oriented) Data Service, was designed to be cell-     
     based, as opposed to frame-based (implications are CRC field      
     length requirement, Frame Relay interworking, ability to carry      
     multimedia traffic etc.). 


The above are the key issues and questions that come to mind, further 
elaborations are available, if required.


Regards,

Kennie Kwong       (613) 781-3972
Associate Director-Network Development
BELL Corp Eng (Planning & Standards Research)