RCLee@HI-MULTICS.ARPA.UUCP (05/08/87)
Honeywell is planning on replacing its end-host Multics connection
(HI-Multics.ARPA) with a DDN/Ethernet gateway.
The primary candidates for the gateway system are:
1. cisco Systems AGS-1A1E1M
2. CMC DRN-3200
While both look good to me, I am leaning towards the AGS due to the initial
price of the 1822L setup (cheaper), the ease of converting to DDN-X.25 at a
later date (cheaper, plug-and-play vs. unit exchange), and the expansion
capbility.
For connecting our remote Ethernets (aprox. 6), I am considering:
1. Bridge Communications GS/3-TCP router with conversion to the IB/3 IP
bridge when it gets released later this year.
2. cisco Systems AGS-1E3S2T1M TCP router
While initially I was leaning to cisco, Bridge is currently in the lead.
The main reasons are that all of the remote Ethernets are Bridge LANs and
Honeywell has an excellant working relationship with Bridge.
Now for the Questions (You knew there were going to be questions, didn't
you?):
1. For people who are gateway administrators, how much time do you spend
taking care of the gateway? 1/4 time? 1/2 time? Full time??!!!!!
2. Assuming that upgrade to DDN-X.25 wasn't an issue, which box would you
purchase? What other stand-alone 1822L/Ethernets gateways would you
consider?
3. Given the choice between a router and a bridge which would you choose?
To me, the protocol independence of the bridge offers a real selling point
since out LANs contain TCP-based hosts, XNS-based terminal servers, and
DECnet'ed VMS systems. However, I have seen messages on this list about
problems with both bridges and routers. Assuming that we don't mix
metaphors, i.e., connecting 2 Ethernet segments with both a bridge and a
router/gateway, can packet looping problems occur?
4. Does any one know of nameserver/domain software for VAX/VMS?
Conferencing systems that allow transactions via SMTP based mail?
--Randy Lee
rclee@HI-Multics.ARPA
...!umn-cs!hi-csc!rclee