Scorecard and NetResults: Remote access servers

Network World, 3/23/98

Scorecard

	Performance (40%)	Features (25%)	Manageability (20%)	Installation / Configuration (15%)	Total Score
Versalar 5000 Access Switch/5399 Remote Access Concentrator Module	9 x 0.40 = 3.60	9 x 0.25=2.25	7 x 0.20 = 1.40	7 x 0.15 = 1.05	8.30
Total Control HiPer Access System / EdgeServer Pro Module	7 x 0.40 = 2.80	9 x 0.25 = 2.25	9 x 0.20 = 1.80	5 x 0.15 = 0.75	7.6
Compaq Microcom 6200 Remote Access Concentrator	8 x 0.40 = 3.20	9 x 0.25 = 2.25	7 x 0.20 = 1.40	4 x 0.15 = 0.60	7.45
Max 6000	6 x 0.40 = 2.40	8 x 0.25 = 2.00	7 x 0.20 = 1.40	7 x 0.15 = 1.05	6.85
LanRover Access Switch	3 x 0.40 = 1.20	5 x 0.25 = 1.25	7 x 0.20 = 1.40	9 x 0.15 = 1.35	5.2

Individual category scores are based on a scale of 1-10. Percentages are the weight given each category in determining the total score.

	Pros	Cons
Versalar 5000 Access Switch/5399 Remote Access Concentrator Module Bay Networks, Inc. (408) 495-1900 Web site $24,785 to $284,930	Top rated throughput Clear front panel status display for individual channels Versatile and feature rich Hot swappable cards Highly scalable	Internal authentication limited to single user name and password Requires external server for more advanced authentication Needed vendor assistance to overcome problem causing dropped calls. Chassis takes up a lot of space
Compaq Microcom 6200 Remote Access Concentrator Compaq Computer Corp. (800) 822-8224 Web site $15,000 to $100,000	Solid throughput and performance Redundant power supply. Intelligent management of power and cooling systems Versatile and feature rich Hot swappable cards Very scalable	Plethora of status LEDs can become distracting Installation process needs improvement Chassis requires a lot of space
Total Control HiPer Access System/EdgeServer Pro Module 3Com Corp. (800) 638-3266 Web site $22,000 to $180,000	Supports fully functional Windows NT Server on a board Can run Windows NT applications such as firewalls and Web proxy servers Capacity of 336 simultaneous analog calls, surprising for its physical size Redundant power supply. Hot swappable cards	Download throughput degraded as more clients became active No way to properly shut down the integral Windows NT Server before powering down chassis
Max 6000 Ascend Communications, Inc. (510) 769-6001 Web site $14,000 to $64,000	Easy to configure Feature rich Clearly labeled cable connection points Small, compact design	Dropped calls Cards are not hot swappable Chassis is limited to four WAN ports Single power supply
LanRover Access Switch Shiva Corp. (781) 687-1000 Web site $10,240 to $50,100	Easy to install Front panel LCD makes configuration easy Small, compact design Shared dial out	Dropped calls Limited modularity Lacks robust feature set No redundant power supply Cards are not hot swappable