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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!ittatc!dcdwest!sdcsvax!ucbvax!ucsfcgl!ucsfcca!dick
From: dick@ucsfcca.UUCP (Dick Karpinski)
Newsgroups: net.lan
Subject: Connecting Ethernets
Message-ID: <459@ucsfcca.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 19-Mar-86 08:33:43 EST
Article-I.D.: ucsfcca.459
Posted: Wed Mar 19 08:33:43 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 30-Mar-86 08:16:47 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: UCSF Computer Center
Lines: 38


rhk -> net.lan     Re: connecting Ethernets    18 Mar 86

I need to connect two Ethernets.  I have considered gateway machines
but rejected them as too big and expensive.  The VitaLink TransLan
is also big & dear and limits the throughput, though the filtering
and self-maintenance of address tables are both excellent features.
DEC may have something similar, now, but I bet I won't love that
price either.  Applitek's seems likely to be cheaper, but it is also 
brand new and I don't know of any user experience with either box.  
Have you used a protocol independent remote bridge?  I will be happy 
to post or mail my compilation of your experience with any of these
or other similar devices.

Below these, are local bridges in the $8-15k range.  They are NOT
protocol independent and often require to be told who is where or
to be explicitly addressed as an intermediary in any cross net 
message.  Too expensive and too restrictive for my taste.  Would
anyone care to set me straight on why I should love them?

The cheapest alternative which is transparent looks to be a buffered
repeater.  It won't filter at all but is said to work at full speed.
Does anyone know of a viable alternative ($6k or less) to this little
box from U/B?  Has anyone used one of these?  Any problems?  One with
filtering would be very attractive to me.  Perhaps a network watcher
could instruct it to stop sending packets for so-and-so this way, to
reduce the maintenance effort by people while not requiring the
repeater to be very smart, just fast.

Send mail.  I love mail.

Dick
-- 

Dick Karpinski    Manager of Unix Services, UCSF Computer Center
UUCP: ...!ucbvax!ucsfcgl!cca.ucsf!dick   (415) 476-4529 (12-7)
BITNET: dick@ucsfcca   Compuserve: 70215,1277  Telemail: RKarpinski
USPS: U-76 UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94143