3Com delivers on QoS promises

MARLBOROUGH, MASS. - 3Com last week made good on its pledge to map Ethernet-to-ATM quality of service (QoS) by unveiling new modules for its SuperStack II and CoreBuilder LAN switches.

The modules sport new Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) - called ZipChip 3 and FIRE - that will let users enforce policies for ensuring consistent QoS in mixed Ethernet and ATM networks. The modules were expected (NW, April 12, page 1).

3Com's Ethernet-to-ATM QoS mapping strategy is intended to deliver consistent QoS across different network media, which is vital to voice, data and video convergence. If QoS fluctuates among different media types, the result is poor service that negates the other chief benefits of convergence: reduced equipment and service costs.

3Com rivals FORE Systems and Cisco claim that they too can provide Ethernet-to-ATM QoS mapping, though their implementations may differ from 3Com's.

3Com's ZipChip 3 modules include an OC-3/ OC-12 blade for 3Com's SuperStack II 1100 and 3300 switches, and a 10/100M bit/sec Ethernet card for the company's CoreBuilder 7000HD switch.

The OC-3/ OC-12 module features a single ATM port that is software configurable to operate at either 155M or 622M bit/sec. The module is intended to provide a single uplink from a stack of SuperStack IIs to a 3Com CoreBuilder 9000 ATM backbone switch. Also, multiple uplinks can be installed in a stack for redundancy.

3Com customer Mid America Energy in Des Moines, Iowa, likes the redundancy feature but is a bit baffled with the module's $6,000 price.

"For some customers that pricing is going to be a little steep," says Paul Hutson, senior network analyst at Mid America. "If all they're looking for is an OC-3 connection, they're basically paying for an OC-12."

The 10/100 Ethernet card, dubbed the 7900, sports 36 10/100 copper ports with RJ-45 connectors. It is designed to connect desktops to ATM building, campus and metropolitan-area backbone networks anchored by the CoreBuilder 9000.

The FIRE ASIC-based modules are OC-3 and OC-12 ATM cards for 3Com's CoreBuilder 3500 Layer 3 switch. The modules support either two OC-3 ports or one OC-12 interface. They are designed to route traffic between ATM emulated LANs with or without the Multiprotocol-over-ATM standard.

Missing from 3Com's Ethernet-to-ATM QoS mapping program are ZipChip 3-based Ethernet modules for the CoreBuilder 9000. This would let users connect to the ATM backbone using Ethernet uplinks instead of ATM. 3Com officials say these modules will emerge early next year.

The ZipChip 3 module for the SuperStack II 1100 and 3300 switches costs $6,000 and will be available in July. The 7900 module costs $15,000 and will be available in the fourth quarter. The FIRE modules for the CoreBuilder 3500 cost $10,000 for OC-3 and $12,000 for OC-12. They will be available in August.

3Com: (508) 323-5000