DEC has launched a line of Open Systems Interconnection-based networking products in the US, extending the range of DECnet by running X25 protocols to multi-vendor hosts and providing access to packet-switched and SNA networks. The product line includes the X25 Portal 2000, DEC Wide Area Network Controller 220, and VAX File Transfer and Access Management […]
DEC has launched a line of Open Systems Interconnection-based networking products in the US, extending the range of DECnet by running X25 protocols to multi-vendor hosts and providing access to packet-switched and SNA networks. The product line includes the X25 Portal 2000, DEC Wide Area Network Controller 220, and VAX File Transfer and Access Management Software. The X25 Portal 2000, priced at $16,500, gives host computers, on a DECnet backbone, access to packet switched data networks; DEC also says it has converted DECnet protocols to the the CCITT X25 standard. The company claims the DEC Wide Area Network Controller 220, $8,500, gives users of high end machines with the VAXBI Bus Interface access to X25, DECnet and SNA networks. In addition, DEC claims its Government Open Systems Interconnect Profile-, Gosip-, compliant VAX File Transfer and Access Management software – complying with both US and UK Gosips – enables VMS users to transfer and exchange file information between different vendors’ equipment. Digital is also rewriting DECnet’s routing algorithm, and submitting it to ANSI and the International Standards Organisation for consideration as an OSI standard. The new products should also help merge DECnet Phase IV to DECnet/OSI Phase V, due September 1990, in which Digital’s proprietary networking scheme will become an Open Systems Interconnection design. Though DEC says the X25 Portal 2000 and Controller 220 will be released in the UK, it cannot give any dates.
