ODS Integrates New Remote Access Communication/Terminal Servers

The ODS 1094-400x-PSA Provides Remote Client Access, Multi-User Host
Access, and Remote Office Access to the Infinity Intelligent Switching Hub
Family

Richardson, Texas--April 24, 1995--Optical Data Systems, Inc. (ODS),
(NASDAQ-NMS:ODSI) the leading provider of intelligent switching hubs,
announced today that a new line of remote communication terminal servers
will be integrated into the Infinity intelligent switching hub family. The
ODS 1094-400x-PSA (Remote Annex 4000 from Xylogics) family provides a
series of communication/terminal servers that add remote access
capabilities to high-performance, multiprotocol enterprise networks. The
1094-400x-PSA product line extends the corporate network so that users can
work in remote locations--at home, in a hotel room or in a remote office
at any time.

Hardware Features

The 1094-RA4002-PSA and 1094-RA4003-PSA integrated communication/terminal
servers support 36 or 72 serial ports respectively. Each port supports
(RS232) asynchronous devices with speeds up to 115.2 Kbps utilizing RJ45
connectors which give local UNIX workstations, terminals, PCs and other
devices access to WAN or high-speed modems to dial up outside connections
such as a remote group of users on another LAN or to connect to a pool of
fax modems to deliver simultaneous fax broadcasts.

Likewise, the 1094-RA400x-PSA allows remote users to use a modem to dial up
one of the same ports to be connected to devices attached to the Infinity
hub or even other LANs inside the hub by attaching to any one of the four
available Infinity Ethernet backplanes (includes self-booting
capabilities). The 1094-RA400x-PSA supports remote access for TCP/IP, IPX,
PPP, SLIP, and Appletalk.

The IP and IPX routing feature provides a cost effective way to connect
remote LANs with analog and ISDN dial-up phone lines. This means that two
remote LANs could dial up each other over ISDN instead of leasing an
expensive T1 line. Shared dial-out support consolidates modems and
telephone lines and facilitates the management of access to outside
information services.

The terminal server features of the 1094-RA400x-PSA let asynchronous
devices connect to multiuser hosts via Telnet, rlogin, LAT, or TN3270
protocol. Unix and VMS operating systems can spool to printers that are
attached to the 1094. UNIX application programs can initiate connections
to serial ports simply by opening UNIX devices, allowing any device with a
serial port access to the network. Protocol translation lets Telnet
devices communicate with LAT devices and vice versa, increasing the
utility of existing equipment.

Transparent Remote Client Access

The 1094-400x-PSA provides users with transparent dial-in access to
Ethernet LANs. Users can access e-mail, databases and file servers
residing on Novell NetWare, TCP/IP and Appletalk LANs as if they were
directly connected to the network. In other words, a user can access two
protocols in the same session without having to disconnect and reconnect
to use a different protocol. FastLink II client software comes with all
models of the 1094-400x-PSA featuring IPX - free of charge. Remote users
running MS-DOS or Microsoft Windows can easily point and click using a
graphical user interface to remotely connect to the LAN. If the connection
unexpectedly disconnects, FastLink II automatically redials and reconnects
the session allowing the user to continue working without interruption.

UNIX users call dial-in to the network using Telnet or any industry
standard IP client software available from manufacturers such as FTP,
NetManage, or Wollongong. Remote Apple users can use a standard
Apple-supplied ARA client. When users dial into the network from a remote
location, the 1094-400x-PSA automatically detects which protocol the user
requires and dynamically configures the port. Network managers do not need
to dedicate ports, servers, or telephone lines for multiprotocol
environments, significantly reducing the cost and complexity of setting up
a remote access solution.

The 1094-400x-PSA can be used for shared dial-out service for individuals
connected to a NetWare LAN or running UNIX who require access to
information services such as the Internet. For users requiring large file
transfers or access to graphic-intensive applications, remote control may
be the remote access method of choice. The 1094-400x-PSA comes with remote
control software satisfying all your remote user needs.

Multi-User Host Access Applications

Host-based applications that run on UNIX, DEC VAX systems and IBM
mainframes remain accessible to the entire enterprise. The 1094-400x-PSA
enables users to access applications on these hosts without having to
install complex protocol stacks or purchase high-end PCs when terminal
emulation can do the job because TCP/IP, DEC LAT and IBM TN3270 are
supported.

Remote Office Access

For remote offices that do not generate enough data traffic to justify a
dedicated leased line, using the 1094-400x-PSA as a dial-up router is a
flexible, cost-effective and centrally managed solution. Branch offices
running NetWare or UNIX can be linked to the corporate network on an "as
needed" basis. The 1094-400x-PSA can automatically establish a dial-up
link to exchange information transparently by routing all packets between
the first LAN and the remote LAN.

Extensive Modem Support

The 1094-400x-PSA supports industry standard V.34 modems with data transfer
rates up to 115 Kbps. The 1094-400x-PSA supports modem pooling and modem
queuing. Modem pooling allows users to share fewer modems minimizing total
hardware investment. If all modems are busy when a remote user dials-in,
then modem queuing puts the user into a "wait queue" until a modem is
free. Remote LAN users benefit from the convenience of dialing one
telephone number to access a wide range of network services. The
1094-400x-PSA also supports external devices such as external ISDN
adapters, X.25 PADs and frame relay devices.

Wide Area Protocol Support

For WAN connections, the 1094-400x-PSA family supports Point-to-Point
Protocol (PPP), Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP), and Compressed
Serial Line Internet Protocol (CSLIP). This gives the network manager the
flexibility to use the protocol best suited for their network
environment.

Configuration and Management

The 1094-400x-PSA can be configured and managed from anywhere on the
network by using the Infinity LanVision hub tool to hotkey to any attached
device. The 1094-400x-PSA can be managed using Telnet, LanVision, or any
SNMP-based management system such as HP OpenView, IBM NetView, and SunNet
Manager.

Security

Security is paramount when extending the network beyond the corporate
office. Authorized remote users can reach all the information they need
while potential intruders are denied access by multi-level security
features.

The 1094-400x-PSA provides a comprehensive set of security features such as
automatic dial-back, multi-level password protection, user authentication,
audit trails, PPP PAP security, NetWare Bindery, Kerberos and support for
third-party authentication applications such as Security Dynamics
SecurID.

Pricing and Availability

Pricing and availability for the 1094-RA4002-PSA starts at $7,668 and
pricing for the 1094-Ra4003-PSA starts at $10,190, depending on the
feature set required. Both products will be available in production
quantities the second week of May '95.

Optical Data Systems, Inc. (ODS)

Optical Data Systems provides intelligent hubs and related computer
networking and internetworking products. ODS' products support the four
industry standards currently in use today Ethernet, Token Ring, Fiber
Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM).
ODS' products--intelligent hubs--integrate user modules, network
management modules, multi-protocol bridges and routers and other accessory
products into complex LAN's, MANs and WANs enabling customers to create an
integrated, highly reliable network infrastructure to support their
heterogeneous computing environment.

Optical Data Systems Inc
1101 E. Arapaho Rd
Richardson, TX 75081
214-301-3811,  fax 214-301-3893

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