ODS Introduces Versatile, High-Speed Fiber Optic Ethernet Switch at ComNet
Expo

The 1094-16EFLF to support 10Base--FL, fast Ethernet and FDDI

Washington, DC -- January 24, 1995 -- Today, Optical Data Systems, Inc.
(ODS), (NASDAQ-NMS:ODSI) introduced the 1094-16EFLF fiber optic Ethernet
switch at the ComNet Conference and Exposition in Washington, D.C. The
Ethernet switch will be on display in the ODS booth #1064. The 1094-16EFLF
is a high-performance 10BaseFL Ethernet switch that subdivides existing
Ethernet networks, to increase the-. bandwidth available to workstations.
It supports 10BaseFL Ethernet, both versions of fast Ethernet (100 Mbps)
and Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) for efficient access to high
performance file servers or connection to campus backbones.

The 1094-16EFLF module can be switched between any ODS Infinity hub
backplane, it also includes sixteen Ethernet 10BaseFL user ports with ST
or SMA connectors and two option slots for Ethernet, FDDI or fast
Ethernet. Each Ethernet port is capable of connecting to a separate fiber
optic Ethernet network and can switch packets between Ethernet Local Area
Networks (LANS) and higher speed LANS.

The one option slots accept optional feature modules. Each feature module
provides one or more high speed ports for FDDI, fast Ethernet, other LANS,
Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN) technologies.

Switch Capacity

The 1094-16EFLF conforms to the transparent bridging standard, IEEE 802.1
d, providing filtering or redirection of specific addresses, protection
against bad frames and fragments and spanning tree selection.

The total forwarding capacity of the 1094-16EFLF is 150,000 packets power
per second for short packets, and 100 Mbps for long packets.

Switching Management

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is used to manage the
1094-16EFLF, Switch management conforms to the Internet Engineering Task
Force (IETF) bridge management standard, RFC 1493.

Any configuration that is valid for a standard multiport transparent bridge
is valid for the 1094-16EFLF. Network administrators can apply knowledge
gained from managing standard bridges to the 1094-6EFLF. Third party
management applications that have embedded knowledge of the standard
bridge management information base (MIB), RFC 1493, can be used with the
1094-16EFLF.

The standard MIB reads ports and switch statistics and specifies special
filtering or routing for individual destination addresses. Additional
management capability is possible by incorporating ODS MIB extensions into
the management station.

Mission-Critical Applications

The IEEE 802.1d Spanning Tree Protocol provides support for
mission-critical configurations. In mission-critical configurations, two
ports of the 1094-16EFLF, or two ports of different 1094's, are connected
to a single LAN to create the redundancy needed for fault tolerance. The
Spanning Tree Protocol prevents data traffic from circulating endlessly in
closed loops created by these connections.

Even in deliberately non-redundant networks, the Spanning Tree Protocol
prevents disastrous traffic loops when bridges are connected accidentally
to form physical loops.

Other Features

Other features for the 1094-16EFLF are:

* EEPROM (flash) storage of switch software to permit field upgrades
* High speed (115 Kbps) RS232 port enables you to load software,
  update firmware, and monitor operation of the switch
* Comprehensive indicator lamps that display the status of the switch
  and individual ports
* Automated self-tests that run when you power on the switch
* Ongoing operation tests on connected equipment to assess network
  integrity

Installation Options

The 1094-16EFLF functions as a free-standing installation or a module in
any of the ODS Infinity or ODS Infinity Microhubs. One feature ODS offers
that is unique to the stand alone installation is a redundant power
supply.

Availability and Pricing

The 1094-16EFLF will begin shipping in volume quantities on January 24.
Twelve versions of the 1094-16EFLF will be available. Prices range from
$19,400 to $25,420

Corporate Position

One of the main advantages of the 1094-16EFLF is the way it combines
Ethernet for economical workstation connections and FDDI for high-speed
connections," said Robert Hoskins, Product Marketing Manager, ODS. He
added, "Depending on the requirements of the individual workstations on a
network, you can create work groups that share an Ethernet segment, or
connect workstations directly to a 1094-16EFLF port so they can benefit
from the full 10 Mbps capacity of an unshared Ethernet segment, an
important consideration if you are working in an image intensive
environment like CAD/CAM and your data is stored on a file server."

Optical Data Systems Inc.

Optical Data Systems provides intelligent hubs and related computer
networking and internetworking products. ODS' products support the four
industry standards currently in use today: Ethernet, Token Ring, Fiber
Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) as well as the newer Asynchronous
Transfer Mode (ATM). ODS' products-intelligent hubs-integrate user
modules, network management modules, multi-protocol bridges and routers
and other accessory products into complex LANs, MANs and WANs enabling
customers to create an integrated, highly reliable network infrastructure
to support their heterogeneous computing environment.

Optical Data Systems
1101 East Arapaho Rd
Richardson, TX 75081
214-301-3911,  fax 214-301-3893

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