---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash SunLink TRI/S 2.0 SunFLASH Vol 36 #17 December 1991 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Compatible with 4/16 Mbps Token Ring LANs supporting the IEEE 802.5-1988 standard - Supports Source Routing IBM(TM) bridges - Is transparent to TCP/IP and ONC-based applications - Can provide IP routing between Token Ring, Ethernet, and FDDI TCP/IP-based LANs - MAC-layer compatible with IBM's LAN Network Manager program - SBus 4/16 Mbps Token Ring interface supports multiple protocols including SunLink SNA3270 and SNA Peer-to-Peer Introduction SunLink(R) Token Ring Interface/SBus (TRI/S) is designed to expand connectivity by implementing industry-standard communication protocols. SunLink TRI/S offers an industry-standard network interface for 4/16 Mbps IEEE 802.5 Token Ring connections. Adhering to this standard, SunLink TRI/S offers LAN-based connectivity to environments that typically lack Ethernet cabling systems. The SunLink TRI/S controller consists of a single-slot (bus mas- ter) SBus printed circuit board assembly, TCP/IP driver software, and network monitoring utilities. Together, these components connect Sun systems to Token Ring LANs. Token Ring is a popular LAN alternative to Ethernet with about half the installed base, usually in IBM-influenced accounts. Any Sun system with SunLink TRI/S can act as an IP router between Ethernet, FDDI, and Token Ring networks through the onboard Ethernet port of the Sun system and the routing capability of the SunOS(TM) operating system. In addition, Sun's SNA products will begin offering support of Token Ring complementing the existing serial line support. Transparency to TCP/IP and ONC Applications All TCP/IP-based applications work over SunLink TRI/S just as they do Ethernet. This is true for bundled TCP/IP services (SMTP, FTP, TFTP, TELNET, etc.) or user-written TCP/IP applications using sockets, TLI, RPC, ToolTalk, or higher-level APIs. No relinking or recompilation is required. All applications of the ONC(TM) open systems distributed computing environment using the TCP or UDP transports will work over TRI/S just as they do Ethernet. This is true for bundled ONC applications (NFS, NIS, etc.), unbundled applications (e.g. NetISAM), or user-written ONC/RPC-based applications. Benefits of Source Routing Because TRI/S supports IBM Source Routing, Sun systems with TRI/S installed can communicate with other systems on multiple Token Rings connected by Source Routing bridges. IP Routing SPARC(R) systems with TRI/S installed can act as IP routers between Token Ring LANs and Ethernet LANs. The IP routing capa- bility is part of the SunOS operating system and is independent of the LAN topology used; it also works with FDDI networks. Multiprotocol support Although the TCP/IP interface driver is included with TRI/S, other network applications have been (or are being) developed to use TRI/S as a data link layer. TCP/IP, SNA/APPC, and other protocol stacks can coexist to give users the options of implementing a variety of protocols. Network Management TRI/S supports the MAC-level frames used by IBM LAN Network Manager to monitor a Token Ring LAN. The MAC frames are described in the product brief. Token Ring NDIS Driver Now Available for PC-NFS Additionally, PC-NFS can now access NFS servers on a token ring LAN with TRI/S. The NDIS (Network Driver Interface Specification) driver for PC-NFS v.3.5 has been upgraded to include Token Ring support. This enhanced NDIS driver enables PCs running PC-NFS to work with token ring boards from a variety of manufacturers supporting the NDIS standard, including IBM, Madge and Xircom. The token ring driver kit for PC-NFS is available through Sun's worldwide customer support centers. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Features Benefits ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Supports IEEE 802.5 standard Ensures multivendor interoperability 512KBytes Local RAM, SBus Master Optimized performance Switchable connectivity to 4/16 Token Provides speed flexibility; ring LANs easy migration to high speed Compatible with IBM Source Routing Suns can communicate with nodes on other Token Ring segments Looks like "just another" TCP/IP Transparent to all TCP/IP and ONC interface to SunOS applications Compatible with IBM LAN Network Mgr Centralized LAN management; interoperability via NetView Capable of routing between a Token Cost effective multi-LAN routing; Ring LAN and an Ethernet LAN no dedicated router required Multi-protocol support Other protocols (such as SNA) have the ability to share same TRI/S along with TCP/IP traffic HARDWARE CONSIDERATIONS ----------------------- - SPARCsystem with available SBus slot (must be bus master) and local disk - Boot PROM revision levels 1.X or 2.X - Token Ring adapter cable from TRI/S 9-pin D-connector to multi-station access unit (MSAU). This is not supplied with TRI/S. IBM part number 6339098 or equivalent is required. - A local diskette or CD-ROM drive is required for software in- stallation. Installation from a remote CD or diskette drive is not possible. Note: only one TRI/S board per system is currently supported. SOFTWARE CONSIDERATIONS ----------------------- - SunOS 4.1 or SunOS 4.1.1 - 1.6 MB of disk space U.S. PRICING AND ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS -------------------------------------- The End-User and Reseller price lists will contain the following entries (please see the actual price list for specific product notes): Discount Same Day Description Order# List Price Category Service Price ========================================================================== Token Ring Interface X1004A $1,195 A $10 SBus-based Token Ring Adapter, TCP/IP driver software on CD and 3.5-inch diskette media, and Docs TRI/S Documentation TRI-2.0-X-X-9 $150 A N/A only ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For information send mail to info-sunflash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Archives are on solar.nova.edu and paris.cs.miami.edu. 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. John McLaughlin, SunFlash editor, flash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. (305) 776-7770.