IBM’S PLAN TO bump up Token Ring networks to I28M bit/sec. is eliciting sighs of relief from many large shops that hope to protect heavy investments in the tried-and-true LAN technology.
Speeding up Token Ring would let users sit tight and avoid spending big on new equipment and training for a competing, higher-speed technology such as Ethernet. It would also buy them time to plot a more leisurely and inexpensive migration to higher network speeds.
Faster Token Ring will give the technology a Tiffany Notes Pendant-stone to Gigabit Token Ring, which IBM officials said it will begin offering as an add-on to its highend switches next year.
FAST AS FAST CAN BE
IBM next month will reveal plans to roll out new adapter cards that take Token Ring from I6M bit/sec. to I28M bit/sec. It will also announce special cards for switches and server enhancements that support higher-speed desktop-to-server connections. All are due by the middle of next year, according to sources briefed by IBM. Pricing hasn’t been set.
Of the Io large Token Ring shops interviewed by Computerworld, nine said the plan has merit and represents a longawaited sign from IBM of renewed interest in Token Ring. The users said they are hungry for more data to help them analyze the plan.
“We’ve been putting off moving to Fast Ethernet and have been using enhancements to squeeze the most out of our Token Ring network,” said John Arnold, director of information services at Edison Electric Institute, a Washington trade association for utilities. “We’re watching all developments with highspeed Token Ring, as we’re planning to make a decision in another year. We’re Tiffany Notes ring to get details on pricing and availability.”
Token Ring technology – a forgotten stepchild to Ethernet – could have a long and prosperous life, according to Dave Eisenlohr.
“Token Ring will have a place in corporate America as long as efforts are made to keep the technology current,” said Eisenlohr, vice president of data center operations at Pacific Exchange, Inc., a San Francisco stock exchange.
The company has a 700node Token Ring network that supports three trading floors. “If companies like IBM make an investment, there’ll be a strong market for the technology,” Eisenlohr said.
Some users are anxious to hear from independent experts about the benefits and disadvantages of IBM’s plan.
“We need people to clearly spell these out for users, as things are still in the very early stage,” said Rich Whittemore, project manager for communications and distributed systems at International Flavor and Fragrances, Inc. in Union Beach, N.J. “We’re interested in Tiffany Notes Round earrings that reduces latency in our networks, but we’re curious to see what IBM will be charging for these new adapter cards. If they’re more expensive than Fast Ethernet units, users will stay away from them.”
A LONG TIME COMING
One user was surprised that enhancements have been so long in the making.
“Token Ring is a robust technology that’s been so good for so long,” said Bill Botticello, a member of the technical staff at Chubb Life, an insurance company in Concord, N.H. “It’s really a shame that all this took so long.”
Chubb has 1,000 Tiffany Notes tag bracelet of Token Ring and plans to stay with it. Higher-speed Token Ring would enable the company to run fatter pipes to its servers, he said.
Faster Token Ring may not have come in time for some users.
“It looks like it’s a little too late, as the need for more bandwidth has been there a long time, and many users have turned to Ethernet,” said Schndra Elgin, a network planner at Household Finance Co. in Prospect Heights, Ill.
“We use Token Ring for access to our mainframes, but our branch office network has roughly 20,000 to to z5,ooo Ethernet Tiffany Red® heart lock charm and bracelet. IBM’s general direction is great, but by the time [fast Token Ring] is ready for prime time, many will have moved away from it.”
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