IS managers can do better than SnapLAN

*IS managers can do better than SnapLAN: low price-per-port offset by low port densities, hardware shortfalls. (Fibermux Corp's snappable hub) (PC Week Netweek) (Brief Article)
PC Week August 29, 1994 v11 n34 pN12(1)
PC Week August 29, 1994 v11 n34 pN12(1)

IS managers can do better than SnapLAN: low price-per-port
offset by low port densities, hardware shortfalls. (Fibermux
Corp's snappable hub) (PC Week Netweek) (Brief Article)

by Blakeley, Michael

Full Text
Network managers will like Fibermux Corp.'s new low-cost "snappable"
hub for its per-managed-port price of less than $100, as well as its
ability to integrate Token-Ring and Ethernet in the same hub. However,
the $9,885 SnapLAN hub solution suffers from low port densities and
hardware deficiencies that make it unsuitable for large numbers of
users or for missioncritical applications.

PC Week Labs tested a remote-office configuration of the SnapLAN hub.
Our configuration included the $6,495 Wellfleet Communications Inc.
router module with two WAN ports, one Token-Ring interface, one
Ethernet interface, the $1,205 SNMP management module with eight
10BaseT Ethernet ports, the $680 eight-port 10BaseT module, the
$1,180 16-port 10BaseT module, and the $295 power-supply module.

SnapLAN's major distinguishing feature is its ability to quickly slide
new hubs onto a stack, resulting in lower rollout costs than other
stackable hubs. However, this feature was marred by SnapLAN's inability
to hot-swap. When we removed the stack terminator to add a new
module, the network on the stack went down.

Fibermux touts SnapLAN's support of Token-Ring and Ethernet in the
same stack, which most stackable hubs don't support. However, IS
administrators seeking these features should consider chassis hubs,
which also offer multiple networking media, as well as hot-swappable
modules.

Another of SnapLAN's hardware-based shortcomings limits it to four
devices per stack (plus the power supply). With the Wellfleet router
module and the management module, remote offices are limited to 40
nodes. Typical stackable hubs, such as those from Hewlett-Packard Co.
and 3Com Corp., can easily support 100 nodes.

Fibermux is planning to beef up the power supply to overcome this
limitation, according to company officials. SnapLAN would then be
stackable beyond four modules, making it capable of implementation in
larger offices.

If load-sharing redundant power supplies were added, the SnapLAN hub
might also become suitable for mission-critical applications.

SnapLAN supports SNMP management. Fibermux's Lightwatch
management application for HP's OpenView is available for SunOS and
Windows platforms. A stand-alone version also runs on SunOS, as does a
version for SunNet Manager.

Fibermux, of Chatsworth, Calif., can be reached at (818) 709-6000.

Type: Hardware Review
Evaluation

Company: ADC Fibermux Corp.

Product: ADC Fibermux SnapLAN (LAN hub/MAU)

Topic: LAN Hub/MAU
Evaluation
Low Cost
Modularity

Record# 16 226 264