Conference netcad::hub_mgnt

        
        Hi,
        
        I found some 3Com info, and I think I have a feeling of 
        what 3Com is offering.
        
        LANplex 6000 as central switching FDDI hub (GigaSwitch), 
        and LinkBuilder 3GH (DEChub 900) as hubs.
        
        Actually the 3Com solution looks pretty good, at least from 
        the litterature.
        
        Our solution is DKK 1.600.000 ($266.000), and the 3Com 
        solution is DKK 1.100.000 ($183.000), based om 6 Hubs, a 
        FDDIswitch, connection to 4 servers, POLYCENTER NetView and 
        HUBwatch.
        
        We really need to get some serious FUD working here...
        
        Best regards
        Greg Parker, Denmark 

        
        I now talked to the customer. Two different vendors are 
        proposing the same 3Com solution.
        
        LANplex 6000 backbone-switch, and 3Com stackable modules 
        (not sure which) as 'hub's. This should make it a bit 
        easier on us, as we are providing real hubs, and 3Com is 
        providing stackables.
        
        How do I beat the 3Com stackables with DEChub 900. We 
        configured the DEChub's with DECswitch 900EF, DECrepeater 
        900TM, and DECserver 900's.
        
        Best regards
        Greg Parker, Denamrk

    
    There are various 3Com options, but I'm going to start with some
    pricing that based on your info may affect your config;
    
    LANplex 6012 starter kit (12 slots, 2 PS, LMM (Management Module)
    US List $36,300.00
    LANplex 6000 FCM (FDDI Concentrator Module 6 M port MMF SC connector)
    US List $8,500.00
    LANplex 6000 FCM (FDDI Concentrator Module 12 M port UTP RJ45 connector)
    US List $9,950.00
    
    Keep in mind that although the LANplex allows a large concentration of
    ports, the backplane has no where near the throughput of the
    GIGAswitch. It is based on having 3 FDDI's and cannot be 'aggregated'.
    3Com claims capability to have 3GB/s in the backplane, however to get
    there it's unclear what will have to be done to upgrade. 
    
    The hub they are probably talking about using is 3Com's new
    'SuperStack' product, the FMS II.
    The stackables come in various port density packages and can be daisy
    chained to a maximum of approx 208 ports.
    An example config: 
    LinkBuilder FMS II 48 TP System (includes to 24 port units, expansion
    cable and management module)	US list $3,299
    
    Connectivity between the FMS II's and the LANplex is probably through
    the LinkSwith product, which is a 6 port ethernet to FDDI switch
    product which can connect into the 'SuperStack'. US List $6,995.00
    I haven't got alot on this product, as it is a recently released
    product.
    
    I have some literature and pricing, which I can fax to you.
    
    Hope this helps a little.
    
    Craig Henry
    

    I think most of my stuff will be a repeat of previous but here goes...
    The LANPlex 6004 and 6012 are newer versions of the old Synernetics
    5004 and 5012 hubs. They have been around for a long time. The 6000
    series has an internal ATM backplane that will allow in the future
    Ethernet to ATM switching as well as FDDI to ATM to FDDI switching. I
    hear this should be available Feb 95. Currently however as the previous
    note mentions these hubs use an internal FDDI backplane. In fact there
    are three but you can't join them until the above becomes available.
    
    Knock off's:
    The 6000 hub  only supports 256 address's per 8 port card ethernet card
    
    No MIBII only propietary SNMP
    
    Maximum 32 stations per ethernet port
    
    Maximum no of segments 8 to 24 for 6004 and 8 - 88 for 6012
    
    Model 6004 chassis $16,073 includes psu and management module
          6012 chassis $12,150 single psu
    	  6012 with redundant power $14,950
    Systems management module $10,350
    Starter kit with chassis FDDI A/B, 8 port switch and management s/w
    is $43,800
    4 port fddi module $8,500
    12 port tp-pmd $9,950
    12 port 10baset and base5 $12,500
    12 port foirl $14,000
    
    3com claim high performance switching 196,000pps however its per port 
    performance deteriorates as you add more switch cards.
    
    Unlike the previous note I suspect the solution will be a collapsed
    backbone with the LANplex acting as a central switching (bridge) hub
    with simple FOIRL links out to the 3com stackables. Most solutions I
    have seen go for the cheap and cheerful fms stackables on the floors.
    
    Hope above helps, 
    regs
    
    ross