---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash SunLink Frame Relay 1.0 SunFLASH Vol 50 #14 February 1993 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- *********************************************************************** * * * - Transparent IP connectivity over public or private Frame Relay * * networks * * * * - High speed data transfer (T1/E1 speeds) * * * * - 1022 point-to-point connections supported per frame relay link * * * * - Multivendor interoperability through support of RFC 1294 * * * * - SunNet(TM) Manager agent for integrated network management * * * * - Supports ANSI, CCITT Frame Relay Standards * * * *********************************************************************** Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation(TM) [SMCC(TM)] announces the SunLink(TM) Frame Relay 1.0 access product. The SunLink Frame Relay access product enables Sun(TM) systems to communicate over a Wide Area Network (WAN) via a Frame Relay packet switching service. The SunLink Frame Relay access product is ideal for customers with remote office locations requiring cost effective, point-to-point communication at high speeds. SunLink Frame Relay 1.0 features transparent Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity over public or private Frame Relay networks and supports cost effective, data tansfer at speeds up to T1/E1. FEATURES AND BENEFITS --------------------- o Transparent IP connectivity Users can easily perform such at high speeds functions as rlogin, telnet NFS(R), or run any X application over a frame relay network at up to 2.048 Mbps o Multiple point to point Users gain access to more connections resources across the wide area network since SunLink Frame Relay supports up to 1022 virtual point-to-point links over each physical frame relay connection o Support for RFC 1294 Users on Sun systems can communicate with other vendor equipment that also supports RFC 1294, such as a CISCO router o SunNet Manager Agent Users can monitor their frame relay connections to achieve better management and control of their networks. The agent performs such statistics as packets sent/received,input/output errors, Forward Explicit Congestion Notification (FECN), and Backward Explicit Congestion Notification (BECN). o Local Management Interface, Users are able to query the Annex D support network to obtain important network status information via support of these two Frame Relay specifications. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ------------------------------------ SPARC(R) system running Solaris(R) 1.x operating environment and either SunLink HSI/S or SunLink MCP. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS --------------------- Q: Briefly, what is Frame Relay technology about? A: Frame Relay is a packet switching protocol, similar to X.25, that is ideal for transmitting bursts of data over wide area networks at high speeds. However, unlike X.25, Frame Relay relies on upper layer protocols such as TCP for error correction/control, and is therefore able to transmit packets of data at a much higher throughput than X.25 can. Many believe that Frame Relay will eventually replace X.25. Q: When will Frame Relay services be available? A: Frame Relay services are available throughout the US today from all major Interexchange Carriers. The Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) have also announced tariffs for Frame Relay. British Telecom and Telekom Finland have announced commercial service in Europe, and many other Value Added Networks (VAN) and PTTs have initiated trials. British Telecom and Telekom Finland are PTTs. VANs are all of those mentioned, both US and European. While Frame Relay services are not as widely available in Europe as they are in the US, this is expected to change over time as competitive forces in Europe increase, driving up the demand for cost effective WAN services like Frame Relay. Q: How does Frame Relay compare to other services? A: Frame Relay is most often compared to switched multimedia data services (SMDS). SMDS is a fast packet technology based on IEEE 802.6 developed by Bellcore. It is a connectionless service that allows users to transmit data at up to 45 Mbps within a Metropolitan Area Network. The RBOCs are now positioning SMDS as a complementary service to Frame Relay that will eventually be incorporated into asycronous transfer mode (ATM). They claim SMDS is more cost effective than Frame Relay for customers with 4 or more sites to interconnect. Most RBOCs have announced SMDS tariffs, but services are currently only available from long distance carriers. The main advantages of Frame Relay over SMDS is that Frame Relay is universally used in the US today, while SMDS is only available from long distance carriers. Frame Relay will also be available in Europe well before SMDS. SMDS supports faster speeds than Frame Relay, and also plans to eventually support other types of media such as video. However, plans are currently underway for Frame Relay to support DS3 speeds. Q: Can SunLink Frame Relay interoperate with equipment from other vendors? A: Yes. Because SunLink Frame Relay conforms to RFC 1294, it should operate with any vendor equipment that supports RFC 1294. RFC 1294 specifies how Frame Relay encapsulates IP packets and exchanges them with various Frame Relay vendor implementations. Q: How many physical connections does SunLink Frame Relay support? A: As per the Frame Relay specification, SunLink Frame Relay supports 1024 Data Link Connection Identifier (DLCIs) for each physical connection to the Frame Relay network. The Frame Relay specifications reserve DLCI 0 and 1023 for management, leaving 1022 for actual data connections. Consequently, SunLink Frame Relay supports up to 1022 virtual point-to-point links over each physical Frame Relay connection. U.S. PRICING AND ORDERING INFORMATION -------------------------------------- The following will appear on the End-User and Reseller Price lists as an addendum: Order List Discount Software Description Number Price Category Support Price =============================================================================== SunLink Frame Relay 1.0 FR-1.0-4-4-21 $1,225 B $35 mmc (media, doc, and RTU) AVAILABILITY ------------ Immediately Specifications are subject to change without notice (c) 1992 Sun Microsystems, Inc. "Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo,SunNet, SunMicrosystems Computer Corporation, SMCC, SunLink, NFS, and Solaris 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. 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. John McLaughlin, SunFlash editor, flash@Sun.COM. (305) 351-4909.