---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash Fiber Distributed Data Interface/SBus(FDDI/S) SunFLASH Vol 35 #22 November 1991 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ******************************************************************************* * * * Product Highlights: * * * * - Provides single attach connection conforming to ANSI FDDI network * * standard * * * * - Low cost FDDI solution - extends FDDI capability to desktop systems * * * * - Single SBus board connects to an available SBus slot in any SPARCsystem * * including SPARCServer product family * * * * - Includes SunNet Manager proxy agent for SMT 6.2 for easy FDDI network * * management * * * * - Built-in test, power-up, and extended diagnostic features * * * ******************************************************************************* Introduction ------------ The following product was announced this by SunConnect, a business of Sun Microsystems, Inc. SMCC will be carrying this product per the pricing and ordering information attached. The Fiber Distributed Data Interface/SBus (FDDI/S interface) is part of the Sun family of standard network products designed to expand connectivity through the implementation of industry standard communication protocols. Adhering to the FDDI standard, FDDI/S is a network interface that provides 100 Mb/s LAN-based connectivity typically in environments where a replacement for Ethernet is sought. Over the next few years, a growing percentage of the SMCC user community will migrate to this standard when Ethernet speed becomes a bottleneck. The FDDI/S interface consists of a single-slot SBus printed circuit board assembly, driver software, and network monitoring utilities. Together, these components allow any SPARCsystem to connect to an FDDI LAN for high network availability and throughput. The FDDI Standard ----------------- FDDI is a multivendor local area network(LAN) standard developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). It offers an industry-standard solution for organizations that need flexible, robust, high performance networks. In an effort to standardize the high-speed networking market, 100 Mb/s FDDI features timed-token protocol. It is available in a single-attach star configuration or dual ring topology for high-availability. The FDDI LAN technology moves large amounts of data. FDDI represents a tenfold increase in speed over the IEEE 802.3 standard (Ethernet), and even a greater increase in speed over the 4Mb/s IEEE 802.5 (Token Ring) standard. Ethernet and Token Ring will continue to be used in many application environments. FDDI can coexist and complement current LAN standards. Any Sun server or deskside workstation that supports FDDI can act as a router between an Ethernet and/or Token Ring subnet and an FDDI network, through the bundled routing software in SunOS. Fiber LANs ---------- FDDI has the capability to handle traffic problems associated with saturated backbones and limited bandwidth. As the number of users increase over large geographic areas, more powerful computers apply increased network loads, and client/server intensive applications are deployed, the need for futuristic cabling is imperative. Fiber provides a means to handle todays and tomorrows LAN congestion and performance problems. The FDDI/S supports single mode, 62.5 micron fiber optic cable as defined by the ANSI standard. The use of FDDI/S interfaces and fiber cable provides organizations the necessary migration path towards efficient high speed LANs. PRODUCT FEATURES ---------------- Single Attach Station(SAS) Configurations ----------------------------------------- The FDDI/S interface is a single attach station that requires the use of an FDDI concentrator for connectivity to large rings. Two systems can form a point-to-point connection without a concentrator. FDDI concentrators are sold with a varying number of ports (4 to 32 ports) to connect SAS devices with a single fiber cable. Sun does not supply FDDI concentrators. SAS only connect to the primary fiber ring and usually have access to the dual ring through a concentrator. To prevent a defective SAS device from disrupting the ring, fault control is provided through the concentrator. SAS is a reliable, cost-effective method of connecting to an FDDI network. An alternate SAS configuration for critical systems is called redundant single attach station (RSAS). To eliminate the possibility of a single point of failure for critical systems such as servers. two FDDI/S cards can be used in a system. Each FDDI/S interface is connected to a different concentrator providing a backup path for continual system access. FDDI/S Board Assembly --------------------- The FDDI/S interface can be used in SBus-based Sun workstations and server. It provides access to 100 Mb/s fiber optic LANs. The FDDI/S interface connects to the SBus through a custom ASIC chip. The DMA provides fast and efficient data transfer across the bus. FDDI/S includes a Media Access Controller (MAC) to enable increased system throughput onto FDDI networks. FDDI/S Driver Software ---------------------- The FDDI/S software consists of system-level code to interface with the SBus FDDI interface. The FDDI/S software is tightly integrated into Sun's complete software environment, providing a single-vendor networking solution. The FDDI/S interface works seamlessly with other SunConnect products and services such as SunLink OSI, TCP/IP and UDP/IP protocols, and the industry-standard Network File System (NFS). The FDDI/S interface software fits below the link layer. TCP/IP and OSI protocols work over the FDDI/S interface as they do with Ethernet. SMT 6.2 Support --------------- FDDI/S supports Station Management(SMT) revision 6.2 as specified by the ANSI X3T9.5 FDDI SMT standard. Network Management with SunNet Manager Proxy Agent -------------------------------------------------- SunNet(TM) Manager is Sun's network management system that provides user and resource management/monitoring tools, and a network management platform for heterogeneous distributed networks. SunNet Manager is an open and extensible network management platform that can support de facto standard network management protocols. The FDDI/S proxy agent facilitates the collection of FDDI network management information from FDDI nodes running SMT 6.2 for display at the SunNet Manager console. Transparency to TCP/IP and ONC Applications ------------------------------------------- All TCP/IP-based applications work over FDDI/S just as they do with Ethernet or Token Ring. This includes all bundled TCP/IP services (SMTP, FTP, TFTP, TELNET, etc) and user written TCP/IP applications using sockets or other TCP/IP-based APIs. No relinking or recompilation is required. Similarly, all applications of the ONC open systems distributed computing environment using the TCP or UDP transports will work over FDDI/S. Hardware Requirements --------------------- SPARCsystem with available SBus slot 62.5 micron fiber optic cable 3rd-party-supplied SAS concentrator, available through SMCC CSS Professional Services. Software Requirements --------------------- SunOS 4.1 or SunOS 4.1.1 Documentation ------------- Each FDDI/S product includes the following set of release specific documents: - FDDI/S Product Notes - FDDI/S Installation and Administration Guide U.S. PRICING AND INFORMATON --------------------------- THE FOLLOWING APPEARS ON BOTH THE END USER AND RESELLER PRICE LISTS. (Please see the actual price list for specific product notes): Order List Discount Same Day Description Number Price Category Service Price ====================================================================== FDDI single attach X1003A $2,995 A $20 SBus interface card, driver software on CD & 3.5" disk media, and Docs NOTE: Service price above is hardware-only. Software support is $10/month. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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.