XLNT plugs ATM module into gigabit switch

San Diego

XLNT, Inc. is planning to build a module for its Gigabit Ethernet switch chassis by year-end that will let customers add ATM links to their existing FDDI and Gigabit Ethernet networks.

The two-port 155M bit/sec ATM module also will support the ATM Forum's LAN Emulation specification, which allows applications to run among ATM networks and various LANs.

The module will plug into XLNT's Millennium 4000 chassis, of which the company has sold $500,000 worth since its rollout last fall. The five-slot switch was the company's inaugural commercial product, funded largely through an infusion of venture capital collected by XLNT in 1996.

XLNT began nine years ago as an engineering firm, designing the Catalyst 1200 for Crescendo Communications, which later was bought by Cisco Systems, Inc. XLNT also made FDDI cards for Bay Networks, Inc. and Newbridge Networks, Inc.

The company's current strategy is to help the huge installed base of FDDI customers migrate to Gigabit Ethernet, ATM and other network technologies without tossing away their FDDI investments. Some 6,000 U.S. businesses have FDDI back-bones installed, according to Bob Peyser, XLNT's director of product management.

The Millennium 4000's strength lies in its ability to make Gigabit Ethernet look like FDDI in terms of fault tolerance and failover characteristics, Peyser said. XLNT is trying to offer the same characteristics for ATM through its new module.

One analyst said XLNT's approach to integrated ATM, FDDI and Gigabit Ethernet networks is reasonable, but he said it remains to be seen whether the company has enough clout to compete against much larger rivals.

"Do they have the correct channels, the correct marketing, [and] all the other issues to move products?" asked Craig Johnson, an analyst at Dataquest, Inc., a San Jose, Calif., market research firm.

The ATM module will cost $9,995. The company charges $5,995 for the 4000 chassis.

XLNT: (619) 487-9320