Yes, another ATM switch but an interesting cast of companies

[David Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>]

For Release 9:00 a.m.(EDT)  

Editorial Contacts:
                            Ben Barker
                            Bolt Beranek and Newman, Inc.
                            (617) 873-3462

                            Suzan Woods
                            Ungermann-Bass, Inc.
                            (408) 562-7958


LightStream* 2010 ATM PLATFORM COMBINES WAN AND LAN                 
                  CAPABILITIES

CAMBRIDGE, MA, August 10, 1993 -- The first of a new family 
of enterprise backbone ATM switches that are designed to 
offer integrated WAN and LAN capabilities was announced today 
by Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc. (BBN) and Ungermann-Bass, 
Inc. (UB) on behalf of LightStream Corporation, a joint 
venture planned by BBN and UB to develop and market 
networking products based on ATM technology.

The LightStream 2010 ATM switch is the first enterprise 
backbone ATM product with an architecture designed from the 
outset to efficiently support the functions of both a wide 
area bandwidth manager and a multiprotocol bridge/router.  
With two gigabits per second switching capacity, it can be 
used to build high-performance enterprise backbones for 
buildings, campuses and wide area networks. 
 
"The LightStream switch will allow network users to protect 
their investment in existing equipment, while allowing for 
growth in network capacity," said Stephen R. Levy, Chairman 
and CEO of BBN.  "It will afford a smooth migration from 
current networks to ATM-based networks -- something network 
users have been demanding.  With tight integration of LAN and 
WAN capabilities on a single ATM platform, this product will 
allow users to migrate to a true Total Area Network that will 
be simpler to manage and grow."

ATM for Today's Networks

"Unlike other ATM products announced to date, the LightStream 
switch is designed to be used in today's networks to solve 
today's problems, without requiring customers to discard 
their existing equipment or networking facilities," said Dr. 
W. B. Barker, senior vice president of BBN, who is leading 
the formation of LightStream Corporation.  "While using this 
product to solve the current problems of network 
infrastructure such as traffic congestion, users will be able 
to lay a foundation for the growth and applications of 
tomorrow's networks.

"Furthermore, through use of sophisticated network control 
algorithms, the LightStream switch can use expensive leased 
lines more efficiently than other networking equipment, while 
ensuring that each application receives the quality of 
service that it requires.  Coupled with the simplification of 
network infrastructure afforded by integrating WAN and LAN 
functions, this can dramatically reduce overall network 
operating costs," concluded Barker. 

The LightStream 2010 ATM switch has a fully modular design 
with a variety of multi-port line cards for various 
functions.  All common components of the unit can be 
configured with optional redundancy, and are easily removable 
and hot-swappable to provide for maximum up-time and 
serviceability.   The product will be managed via standard 
SNMP network management systems, including HP OpenView, 
SunNet Manager, as well as Ungermann-Bass' NetDirector.

Interface modules to be supported in the first release 
include a 2-port module supporting line speeds of T3/E3 (45 
Mbps/34 Mbps), and an 8-port module supporting line speeds 
from 56 Kbps to T1/E1 (1.5 Mbps/2.0 Mbps).  Services 
supported on the 2-port module include ATM User-Network 
Interface (UNI), and interswitch trunking.  The 8-port module 
supports Frame Relay access, Frame Forwarding for X.25, HDLC 
and SNA/SDLC protocols, and interswitch trunking.

Native LAN interfaces supporting bridging and multiprotocol 
routing along with support for OC-3 speeds will be added to 
the platform for availability by mid-1994.  This will allow 
users to interconnect their LANs over an ATM network 
without additional bridge/routers or special ATM interfaces.  
Support for constant-bit-rate voice and video is expected to 
be available around the end of 1994 to allow users to 
consolidate data, voice and video traffic on one backbone.

Distribution

The new product is planned to be marketed by LightStream 
Corporation and its founding companies, BBN and UB.  The 
companies are actively seeking additional distributors and 
end-users.  BBN intends to sell the LightStream product 
in conjunction with its network systems activities. 

Ungermann-Bass plans to market the LightStream product under 
the name EagleSwitch.  The product will support UB's 
innovative Virtual Network Architecture (VNA) technology, 
providing customers with the ability to create and 
manage an almost unlimited number of virtual LAN segments 
across an enterprise.

"With EagleSwitch providing high performance ATM switching 
for the backbone, and DragonSwitch for Ethernet providing 
dedicated 10 Mbps switching to each desktop, Ungermann-Bass 
will be able to provide its users a cost-effective and 
scalable networking solution for the entire enterprise," said 
Wayne F. Benoit, executive vice president of Ungermann-Bass.  
"Moreover, with EagleSwitch and DragonSwitch both supporting 
VNA, users would be able to create virtual workgroups across 
the enterprise, regardless of geographic distances."

Pricing and Availability

The price of the LightStream 2010 switch will start at 
$25,000 in the US.  Availability of the product is expected 
to be in early Fall this year.

A letter of intent between BBN and UB to form a new company, 
to be named LightStream Corporation, was announced on July 
28, 1993.  BBN would own 80% of the company and UB would own 
20%.  The company is planned to be located in Massachusetts.

Headquartered in Cambridge, MA, Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc. 
(NYSE:BBN) concentrates on creating and applying advanced 
networking and software technologies. BBN conducts its 
business in three areas:  building systems, including 
communications networks and undersea sensor systems; 
developing and marketing products, including network products 
and data analysis software; and performing contract research 
and development in computer, communications and acoustics 
technologies.

Ungermann-Bass is a supplier of intelligent hubs and network 
management software.  The company also provides a range of 
integration services including consulting, training and 
technical advice to build and support enterprise networks 
worldwide.  Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, 
Ungermann-Bass is a wholly-owned and independently operated 
subsidiary of Tandem Computers (NYSE:TDM).



LightStream is a trademark of BBN.  Ungermann-Bass, 
NetDirector and DragonSwitch are registered trademarks and 
EagleSwitch is a trademark of Ungermann-Bass.  All other 
product names are trademarks of their respective companies.