nea@cbnewsj.att.com (norman.e.andrews) (05/16/91)
I am considering the purchase of "Univeral" multiprotocol multiplexers, of the kind which can be used in several locations (in campus-wide distribution networks). These "universal" muxes support various application interfaces (token ring, 802.3, 10BaseT, EIA-232-D, AS400/SYS36, IBM 3270 Type A, Wang 928 Data Link (dual coax), etc.). There are several vendors who make these, for example Raycom sells the FiberRing 100 muxes and Fibronics sells the Model 892 UNIMUX muxes. I believe Fibermux and Optical Data Systems (ODS) also sell similar equipment. I will obtain loaners to test, to determine how well they support our needs. However, I probably can't obtain loaners from every vendor and test them all. I would appreciate hearing of any positive or negative experiences any of you networking people have had using these "universal" multiplexers in your LAN environments, whether in point-to-point or in campus backbone ring applications. Please post directly to the net, as I am sure others may also be interested. Thank you! Norm Andrews, AT&T Bell Labs, Middletown, New Jersey 07748, attmail!mtgzy!norm -- Norm Andrews AT&T Bell Laboratories Room MT-2C402 200 Laurel Avenue