Plugging Wireless into the Corporate Token Ring

Wireless local area networks can offer several compelling features suitable for a range of situations. These include hard-to-wire buildings, historic structures, and retail or office settings which require constant reconfiguration.

However, wireless networks are only one part of the enterprise network. While many wireless LANs are designed to integrate smoothly into the existing wired Ethernet, much of the corporate world relies on the mostly in-compatible Token Ring architecture.

Persoft, Inc. has introduced the Intersect Concentrator-Token Ring to bring these two worlds together. The product relies on spread spectrum radio frequency communication which provides a good degree of security and reliability.

The Intersect Concentrator-Token Ring allows mobile computers to gain full access to existing 16/4 Mbps Token Ring networks, enabling companies to retain their existing investment.

The Concentrator operates at a throughput rate of 2 Mbps and is compatible with a wide range of network operating systems and protocols including Novell NetWare, Microsoft LAN Manager, IBM LAN Service, SNA, and others.

The Concentrator is also compliant with major Token Ring protocols including IBM source routing, IEEE 802.5, and the Spanning Tree Protocol.

Persoft also announced that it has added support for the industry standard Simple Network Management Protocol to its wireless Intersect Remote Bridge-Ethernet. The Bridge also uses spread spectrum RF to connect Ethernet LANs.

The Intersect Concentrator-Token Ring has been shipping since May, 1994, and is priced at $4995.

Persoft, Inc.
465 Science Drive
P.O. Box 44953
Madison, WI 53744-4953
(608) 273-6000
(608) 273-8227 (fax)