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Path: utzoo!utcs!lsuc!pesnta!amd!phil
From: phil@amd.UUCP (Phil Ngai)
Newsgroups: net.wanted,net.dcom
Subject: Re: info on micom dataswitches???
Message-ID: <1359@amd.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 26-May-85 01:56:08 EDT
Article-I.D.: amd.1359
Posted: Sun May 26 01:56:08 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 26-May-85 05:22:02 EDT
References: <164@nrcvax.UUCP>
Organization: AMD Applications, Santa Clara, CA
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Xref: utcs net.wanted:6438 net.dcom:1008

In article <164@nrcvax.UUCP>, chris@nrcvax.UUCP (Chris Grevstad x310) writes:
> Anybody out there have any experience with Micom data switches?  We are
> looking at switches and Micom is one of the firms we are interested in.
> We are also looking at Gandalf.  Any other suggestions?

I have seen a Micom data switch (the 600 series, I think) and it had
some good points and some bad points. Good points included a claimed
high throughput and low delay. Also the administrator can put in some
fairly verbose messages. Bad points are a top speed of 9600 (no 19200)
and pretty old technology. Configuration is done by asking the factory
to burn you a new PROM, or you can make changes in battery backed RAM.
No EEROM configuration. The thing is big, sucks lots of power and generates
lots of heat. It seems to like being in a machine room environment.
If you have a campus environment where you can run twisted pair which
can operate at T1 rates, then distribution to different buildings is
pretty good. If you can only get 9600 baud links or 19200 links, the
cost per line goes up a lot, plus you have to buy the modems or line
drivers. They do have a stat mux on a card which helps hold the cabling
mess for remote sites. Support for attaching either DTE or DCE seems
reasonable, and the description of the RS-232 protocol used is among
the best I have seen. It does not appear capable of sending a break,
unlike some other equipment I have used. They have a group termination
option (comes out in telco 25 pair connectors) which can really help
with cabling, assuming you are not scared of punch down blocks.

I am told Equinox was started by some people who left Micom and that
their product has all advantages that hindsight can give you. My
knowledge of their switch is limited to that, I have no actual
experience with it as I do the Micom.

I would like to hear other people's comments on the various products
available also.
-- 
 Sex is not the answer. Sex is the question. Yes is the answer.

 Phil Ngai (408) 749-5720
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