sunflash-Distributed to mailing list sunflash@suntri sunflash-Send requests and problem reports to owner-sunflash@suntri.east.sun.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash SunLink ISDN-BRI Enabling Kit and Sun-ISDN BRI/SBI Expansion Kit SunFLASH Vol 53 #31 May 1993 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ************************************************************************ * * * o SMCC delivers industry's lowest cost ISDN solutions * * * * o The Enabling Kit consists of ISDN software and enables Sun's * * system with built-in ISDN BRI hardware * * * * o The Expansion Kit consists of software and an ISDN BRI SBus * * card for SPARC-processor based systems without built-in * * ISDN BRI * * * * o The ISDN software in the Enabling Kit and the Expansion Kit * * enables TCP/IP and UDP/IP applications to run transparently * * over ISDN * * * ************************************************************************ Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation (SMCC) has introduced two new products that will give customers greater flexibility by extending their work environment to remote locations, using Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) technology. These new products, the SunLink(R) ISDN-BRI (Basic Rate Interface) Enabling Kit 1.0 and the Sun-ISDN BRI/SBI (Speaker Box Interface) Expansion Kit 1.0, enables users to share multimedia resources across the ISDN pubic telephone networks. ISDN provides significantly more functionality and is a cost-effective alternative to Modems and Leased-lines for businesses with remote locations, that need wide area networking (WAN) connectivity to the home office local area networking (LAN) environment. The new ISDN products are well suited for many applications, including telecommuting; real-time access to corporate databases and services from remote sites; image and graphics transmission, such as in the CAD/CAM and medical areas; leased-line backup; and multimedia conferencing to facilitate collaborative computing between remote workgroups. The Enbaling Kit includes CCITT-compliant (International Telephone and Telegraph Consultative Committee) ISDN protocol stacks and the software support required to run new and existing TCP/IP or UDP/IP applications transparently across digital telephone networks. It is intended to be used for computers with built-in ISDN-BRI capabilities, like the Sun SPARCstation(TM) 10 and SPARCStation LX(TM) systems. Customers who want the same ISDN functionalities on other SPARCstation and SPARCserver(TM) computers that do not have built-in ISDN-BRI capabilities can use the ISDN Expansion Kit. It provides customers with a Sun-ISDN BRI SBus plug-in card and the same software as the Enabling Kit. In addition, the Expansion Kit can be used by power users requiring multiple BRI connections on a system. Features: --------- o Transparent IP connectivity over ISDN o Graphical User Interface (GUI) -based configuration tool for easy installation and adminstration o Security features such as callback, calling line identification, PPP authentication password o Inactivity timer that provides transparent open/close connections o Integrated network management with SunNet(TM) Manager agent Benefits: --------- o The ISDN products augment/compliment the existing data network o ISDN facilitates rapid and less costly information access and distribution o ISDN provides productivity gain for businesses worldwide o ISDN enables new applications and expands business opportunities Applications: ------------- o Telecommuters who need access to their office workstations o Users at remote sites who require real-time access to corporate database/services o Image/graphics transmission such as in the CAD/CAM and medical areas o Document conferencing through the use of shared whiteboard application o Desktop videoconferencing to enhance effectiveness of frequent remote workgroup collaboration HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE CONSIDERATIONS ------------------------------------ The Enabling Kit and the Expansion Kit contains the same ISDN software and requires a Sun(TM) system equipped with either the Built-in ISDN BRI or the ISDN BRI SBus card (part of the Expansion Kit) and Solaris(R) 2.1 or higher release. The system must have at least 150 KB of free space in the / (root) file system, at least 3.7 MB of free space must be available in the /opt file system (or chosen base directory system), and at least 16 MB of RAM. The ISDN products require certification by PTT/other regulatory agencies in many countries. Pl. refer to a later Section for availablity date in your country. QUESTION AND ANSWERS -------------------- Q: What is ISDN? A: ISDN stands for Integrated Services Digital Network and supports end-to-end digital voice and data services over the public telephone networks using existing twisted copper wire. Q: What applications are driving ISDN? A: From SMCCs' perspective, the new ISDN products are well suited for many applications, including telecommuting; real-time access to corporate databases and services from remote sites; image and graphics transmission, such as in the CAD/CAM and medical areas; leased-line backup; and multimedia conferencing to facilitate collaborative computing between remote workgroups. Q: What is the status of ISDN availability? A: ISDN is already widely used in Europe, Japan and other parts of Asia. The deployment and usage of ISDN in the North America has been somewhat spotty. However, ISDN hit the comeback trail in November of 1992 as most major Telco vendors and carriers, at TRIP'92 (TRanscontinental ISDN Project), unveiled their plans for aggressive deployment of ISDN after a decade of skepticism. The development of a national standard for ISDN, National ISDN-1 (NI-1) marked a significant milestone in the evolution of ISDN in the US. This endorsement by major carriers is expected to result in development of a ubiquitous high-speed digital public telephone infrastructure over the next 2-3 years. Q: What will ISDN offer large business users who already have their own data networks? A: ISDN products and services are complimentary to most existing enterprise networks. ISDN offers a dial-up, low cost alternative to leased-lines without giving up any of the traditional benefits of the public switched telephone network. Remote LAN access over ISDN provides significantly more functionality than Modems yielding higher productivity to businesses with many remote offices that are not directly connected to the corporate networks. Q: How does this announcement differ from what SunConnect announced in October with respect to their SunLink ISDN product? A: With this announcement, SMCC is offering ISDN products, service and support to the customers. In addition, SMCC is delivering a low cost ISDN BRI SBus card for SPARC systems that do not have built-in ISDN BRI, enabling more customers to take advantage of worldwide ISDN connectivity. U.S. PRICING AND ORDERING INFORMATION ------------------------------------- THESE PRODUCTS APPEAR IN BOTH THE END USER AND RESELLER PRICE LIST Short Order List Discount Same Day SunSpectrum Description Number Price Category Service Price Price ============================================================================= SunISDN-BRI/SBI X1012A $595 A $7(S/W), $10(H/W) $7 Expansion Kit SunLink ISDN-BRI X1013A $ 95 A $7 $7 Enabling Kit THIS PRODUCT APPEARS IN THE END USER PRICE LIST ONLY ************************** Special Introductory Offer ************************** For a limited time, Sun is offering an introductory price of $495 for a 100-pack of the Enabling Kit, the software can be installed on 100 systems for less than $5 per port. Orders must be placed within the next 120 days to take advantage of it. Short Order List Discount Same Day SunSpectrum Description Number Price Category Service Price Price ============================================================================= SunLink ISDN-BRI X1017A $495 N/D $70 $70 Enabling Kit 100-Pack Availability ------------ The products will be orderable on April 19, 1993 in the following countries ONLY: United States Germany Japan United Kingdom France First Customer Ship date is scheduled for May 14, 1993 in the United States, Germany, and Japan. The products will start shipping in France and the United Kingdom as soon as certification is complete. Completion of certification is a requirement of the PTT (regulatory authorities) in each country, and Sun must legally comply with this requirement in order to start shipment of the products: Countries Certification Status --------- -------------------- U.S. Completed Japan Completed Germany Completed U.K. 6/93 (estimated completion date) France 6/93 (estimated completion date) (c) 1993 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation, SunLink, LX, SunNet, Solaris, and SunConnect are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. All SPARC trademarks, including the SCD Compliant Logo, are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARC International, Inc. SPARCstation and SPARCserver are licensed exclusively to Sun Microsystems, Inc. Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based upon an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. All other product or service names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For information send mail to info-sunflash@Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@Sun.COM. Archives are on solar.nova.edu, ftp.uu.net, sunsite.unc.edu, src.doc.ic.ac.uk and ftp.adelaide.edu.au All prices, availability, and other statements relating to Sun or third party products are valid in the U.S. only. Please contact your local Sales Representative for details of pricing and product availability in your region. Descriptions of, or references to products or publications within SunFlash does not imply an endorsement of that product or publication by Sun Microsystems. Send brief articles (e.g. third party announcements) and include contact information (non-800#, fax #, email, etc) to: John McLaughlin, SunFlash editor, flash@Sun.COM. +1 305 351 4909