Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!seismo!rutgers!sri-spam!ames!ll-xn!cit-vax!elroy!jplgodo!wlbr!scgvaxd!trwrb!trwind!geoffb From: geoffb@trwind.TRW.COM (G. Geoffrey Baehr) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.lans Subject: Re: Bridge Questions Message-ID: <161@trwind.TRW.COM> Date: Wed, 5-Aug-87 11:13:52 EDT Article-I.D.: trwind.161 Posted: Wed Aug 5 11:13:52 1987 Date-Received: Sat, 8-Aug-87 14:15:21 EDT References: <323@pollux.UUCP> Reply-To: geoffb@trwind.TRW.COM (G. Geoffrey Baehr) Distribution: world Organization: TRW Information Networks Division, Torrance C.A. USA Lines: 60 Keywords: bridge In article <323@pollux.UUCP> jgd@pollux.UUCP (Dr. James George Dunham) writes: > >What is such a bridge called and what vendors make reliable products. Is there >some vendor who makes a single bridge that will connect 4 ethernets together in >one box? Any help would be appreciated. > -Jim Dunham > jgd@pollux We have used the DEC LanBridge 100 with good results. Our configuration includes multiple Ethernets, separated by bridges from a "backbone" segment. The backbone is used for a preferred link between computer center hosts with the bridges isolating traffic from hosts on other segments. The only hosts on the other segments connected by the bridges are those hosts who cannot understand IP subnet addressing and therefore require "direct" connection to the network on which they send their traffic; all other Ethernets are connected through Cisco and Proteon IP routers/gateways to the backbone. We separated SUN diskless traffic with a DEC Lanbridge from other traffic on a local Ethernet, the diskless traffic was chewing up net capacity. With the SUN disk server on the same side of the bridge as the diskless nodes, the traffic is almost non-existant to the rest of the world. Also, we have tried Bridge GS/3's as remote ( via 56kb ) bridges between buildings successfully. Summary: Dec Lanbridge - ~ $8k, high performance, inscrutable Bridge Management System methodology. MAC level bridge. Two Ethernets only. option for remote bridge via Fiber. Hmmm, now about that March 1988 100mbit Fiber net DEC will introduce .... Shades of FDDI ! We have pushed it above 4000 pkts /sec at the MAC level. Cisco AGS1-E - IP router, high performance ( >1200 pkts/sec net to net). Can be made into a gateway easily (buy interface boards !) Very reliable, high quality code/product. About $9k. Also can be remote bridge, via serial lines with serial intf board. If operated as remote bridge via serial lines, only device available which does load balancing across multiple serial lines. Can have up to 5 Ethernets installed in one box. Bridge GS/3 - IP router, can be remote bridge via serial lines. The usual bridge product,it works fine and does not break. About $9k (may be wrong here ). Proteon p4200 - Very similar to Cisco box, of course has option for ProNET 80 mbit or 10mbit interfaces in addition to Ethernet. Speed tops out at ~ 1000 pkts sec net to net. Can have more than 3 Ethernets installed (4 ? 5 ?) depends on card cage etc. Can handle XNS, DecNET protocols also. Before I receive flames about my use of terminology, notice that the only MAC level bridge is the DEC Lanbridge, while all others are IP routers (is this a bridge !). Hope this helps . -- Geoffrey Baehr "Book 'em, Dano !" TRW Information Networks Division 23800 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance CA 90505 ATT: 1 213.373.9161 (+10db Noise/Signal Ratio Usually) ARPA: geoffb@trwind.TRW.COM USENET: ..trwrb!trwind!geoffb