IBM's Switched Virtual Networking: Builds on ATM Strategy, Offers Model for
Switch-Based Networks

Research Triangle Park, NC, August 30, 1995...IBM today is announcing its
Switched Virtual Networking strategy, an industry-leading desktop-to-WAN
model for switch-centric networks.

As users stretch the limits of existing networks, switched-centric networks
increase bandwidth and relieve congestion across the enterprise today and
provide a future path to enable emerging applications. With ATM as its
ultimate goal, IBM Switched Virtual Networking (SVN) is a model for
building and managing switched-centric networks. It eliminates the need
for traditional routers and changes routing to a commodity-like function
that is moved to devices at the edge of the network.

"Switched Virtual Networking reaffirms our commitment to switching and ATM
as the right architecture for customers who need high-performance,
big-bandwidth networks, for data, voice, video and multimedia traffic, "
said BJ Johnson, IBM's general manager, Networking Hardware Division. "SVN
will be implemented on products we are delivering today and will deliver
function at much less cost than today's routers or other distributed
routing approaches."

Switching is the Avenue -- ATM is the End Game

IBM SVN provides an evolution to switching for both router and host-based
networks and is a natural extension of IBM's ATM strategy. Its key
component is Networking BroadBand Services (NBBS), an industry-leading
architecture designed specifically for high-speed, standards-based,
switched networks. NBBS includes a rich set of functions called
Multiprotocol Switched Services (MSS) which address routing, bridging and
virtual LANs in a switched network.

Multiprotocol Switched Services provide better performance and higher
availability with a lower cost of implementation by eliminating
centralized routing and distributing routing function to the edge of the
network. MSS has the flexibility to push the routing function all the way
to the desktop, the farthest reach in the industry. This approach provides
a seamless migration path for existing routers by making the switching
infrastructure appear as another router.

Virtual LAN (VLAN) capability makes it possible to create virtual
workgroups and allows administrators to easily set up and change the
associations of users regardless of their geographical locations. IBM
SVN's broadcast management capability provides traditional VLANs with a
higher level of security between users and network resources.

Additionally, MSS will provide greater scalability by distributing Advanced
Peer-to-Peer Networking (APPN)*/High-Performance Routing (HPR) functions
across networks. HPR can ensure that existing applications will perform
well in switched networks. IBM SVN extensions to HPR also will enable
guaranteed quality of service levels to traditional SNA and APPN
applications.

In evolving host-based environments to switching, IBM will continue to
enhance the 3746 Nways* Switch Controller as its premier gateway for
enabling SNA and TCP/IP applications to exploit switch-based networks.

IBM SVN is getting a thumbs up from customers who have previewed it. Scott
Yeager, vice president of sales and distribution for MFS Datanet, said
IBM's suite of scalable, easily-implemented ATM solutions will offer his
business the technology to move to Switched Virtual Networking and ATM at
a comfortable pace.

At Chrysler Corporation, the need to handle greater volumes of data and
traffic on its network drove the decision to be an early implementer of
ATM. Chrysler chose IBM's ATM solution because it provides the speed and
scalability its engineering organization requires for Computer-Aided
Design (CAD) applications.

Other components of the IBM SVN strategy include Periphery Switching,
Backbone Switching, and Network Management.

The role of Periphery Switching in a switched virtual network is to allow
an attached device to use its own language or protocol when communicating
across the network. Periphery Switching, which will include both LAN and
local and wide area ATM switches, will provide connectivity for a
diversity of users and network services. Periphery switches can be
implemented without replacing existing network hardware. Currently, IBM is
delivering a scalable family of both LAN and ATM Nways switches that will
provide Periphery Switching capability.

Backbone Switching, which IBM is now delivering in its campus and wide area
Nways switches, will provide high-performance, high-speed ATM connections
between periphery switches at speeds ranging from 155Mbps to 2.48Gbps. It
also will provide standards-based interfaces and will guarantee bandwidth
and quality of service to the various types of network traffic.

IBM's SVN Network Management component includes two basic parts. The first
is an integrated, end-to-end view of the network for easy management. The
second part, Advanced (or Virtual LAN) Configuration Management, enables
physical movement of people and network resources without manual changes
to the network.

An Efficient Scheme for the Switch-Centric Environment

IBM's SVN rollout provides an efficient scheme for users who are ready for
ATM today as well as those planning a more gradual move. SVN is based on
IBM products and product families now available and continuing to roll out
in new and enhanced versions this year and throughout 1996.

IBM Networking Hardware Division (NHD) develops and manufactures
leading-edge networking technologies and products. Headquartered in White
Plains, NY, with major facilities in Research Triangle Park, NC, and La
Gaude, France, NHD also provides consultation, education, service and
support to help customers achieve business objectives.
 
 =========================================================
 From the 'New Product News' Electronic News Service on...
 AOL (Keyword = New Products) and Delphi (GO COMP PROD)
 =========================================================
 This information was processed from data provided by the
 company/author mentioned. For additional details, please
 contact them directly at the address/phone# indicated.
 Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
 =========================================================
 All submissions for this service should be addressed to:
 BAKER ENTERPRISES,  20 Ferro Dr,  Sewell, NJ  08080  USA
 Email: rbakerpc@delphi.com  -or- RBakerPC (on AOL/Delphi)
 =========================================================
