16NETBUILDER SOFTWARE VERSION 11.1 RELEASE NOTES

the two edge devices are both physically attached to the same ATM network fabric, then the edge devices should be able to communicate directly with each other, bypassing one or more intermediate routers in the data path.

Multiprotocol Over ATM (MPOA) is used to bypass the intermediate routers. It allows the edge devices to resolve their ATM address and setup the short-cut connections between each other. MPOA consists of the MPOA server (co-located with routers) and the MPOA client (co-located with edge devices). The NETBuilder

IIbridge/router serves as an MPOA server, which provides the information required by MPOA clients (edge devices) to setup the short-cut connections.

Token Ring in Fast Ethernet (TIFE)

Token Ring in Fast Ethernet (TIFE) is a method for tunneling token ring frames, including source route information, through a Fast Ethernet network. For customers with an existing token ring infrastructure, TIFE provides a gradual migration path to an Ethernet LAN, preserving the investment in capital equipment and source route sensitive applications. For the NETBuilder bridge/router, TIFE provides a means to support token ring media without requiring a token ring interface. In addition, the 802.1Q VLAN support required for TIFE allows the routing protocols to access Ethernet and Fast Ethernet VLANs. (VLAN over FDDI or token ring is not supported with this release.)

Network Management This release adds the following new network management features.

Features

ASCII Boot

The ASCII LoadConfigs feature on the NETBuilder bridge/router has been expanded to provide a way for an ASCII text file to be executed automatically when the router is booted. Along with this new functionality, a new Transcend® Network Application Tool (available Fall 1998) called NETBuilder Configurator, will provide an easy mechanism for setting up multiple routers to use the ASCII boot feature. NETBuilder Configurator will provide a straightforward spreadsheet GUI interface for you to build and deploy ASCII text files based on custom made templates.

The ASCII boot feature simplifies the management of a network allowing you to mange the configuration of your own router with a single ASCII text configuration file.

56/64K CSU/DSU External Loopback

OfficeConnect NETBuilder and SuperStack II SI NETBuilder bridge/router platforms with a CSU/DSU option installed have a new remote loopback capability. The remote loopback functions include Remote CSU Loopback and Remote DSU Loopback. The Remote Loopback can be started/terminated via SNMP. The Remote initiated Local V54 loopback has the same functionality as the existing V54 Loopback from the console.

NETBuilder Web Link Improvements

The NETBuilder Web Link application has been improved to include the following enhancements:

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3Com 11.1 manual Token Ring in Fast Ethernet Tife, Features Ascii Boot, 56/64K CSU/DSU External Loopback