X.25 DATA NETWORKING

Series 8000

8325 AND 8525
PACKET SWITCHING EXCHANGES

Open integrated systems

Series 8000 is designed to enable organisations to build and manage private X.25 networks which are both open and integrated. The backbone 8525 packet switch exchange (PSE) and the 8325 compact PSE can be accessed via a range of access products which include the 8160 async PAD, the 8225 switching concentrator, the 8260 async PAD/FRAD, and the 8295 multi-protocol PAD/FRAD. All Series 8000 products have comprehensive management capabilities and can be managed centrally from the DomainView Network Management System.

FEATURES

• Powerful backbone nodal processors
• High packet throughput
• Up to 96 ports (8525) and up to 24 ports (8325)
• Comprehensive resilience for non-stop network operation
• Modular design for simple, cost effective upgrade
• Distributed processing and routing
• High connectivity
• Frame relay support
• Comprehensive X.25/X.75 facility support
• Centralised integrated management

Greater functionality

The 8325 and 8525 support the ITU-T 1980, 1984 and 1988 X.25 standards plus ITU-T 1980 and 1984 X.75. frame relay is also supported as standard. The PSEs support an extensive list of enhancements such as V.54 loop test support, a trace facility to enable the exact path of a specific call to be determined, and an automatic network backup and restore feature.

Flexible network processors

The 8325 and 8525 access and backbone PSEs can have any of their X.25 ports configured as user access ports, inter-node trunks or as internetwork gateways. X.75 and frame relay operation is a simple menu option. In addition to interfacing, the PSEs can accept the Series 8000 integral 8160 async PAD, 8225 switching concentrator, 8260 async PAD/FRAD, and 8295 multi-protocol PAD/FRAD modules. This flexibility allows a wide range of device configurations to be created, from switching PAD/concentrators up to powerful backbone nodes. Please see separate 8000 multi-function access device fact sheets.

Modular and resilient

The 8325 and 8525 have been designed for high reliability and cost efficiency, particularly as a network grows. They accept a series of 4 or 6 port interface modules (the 8325 XSAC, and the 8525 XIM). Each module runs its own copy of the packet processing and routing software and each has its own processor and memory. It operates independently of the others carrying out its' own call processing. Thus the failure of any one module will not result in the loss of more than 4 or 6 ports. The 8525 is powered by multiple loadsharing modular power supply units. Spare units can be added for resilience. Interface modules, PSUs, disk drives and fantrays can all be replaced without taking the system down, contributing to an extremely high MTBF of 51 years for a fully configured system.

Truly high performance

Each of the X.25 interface modules with which the PSEs can be equipped can handle over 200 switched 128 byte data packets per second. This gives an overall throughput figure for the 8325 of over 800 packets per sec (PPS) and for the 8525 of over 3200 PPS.

Flexible compact PSE

The 8325 is a compact PSE which complements the larger 8525. As with the larger unit all the ports can be configured as user access ports, X.25/X.75 gateways or inter-node trunks. The 8325 will also accept the integral PAD cards. This flexibility makes the 8325 an ideal access switch, although the fact that it shares much of the functionality of the 8525 means that it is also an ideal vehicle around which to base smaller networks.

Integral LAN router/gateway

Both units support an integral 8000/Router card to provide access from the X.25 network to any TCP/IP device on a LAN (e.g. workstation, host etc.) or to provide IP routing between LANs across the X.25 network for up to 32 sites. This flexibility allows many complex functions to be combined onto a single, cost effective hardware platform. Please see separate 8000 Router fact sheet for more information.

X.25 to frame relay migration

The 8325 and 8525 PSEs support frame relay as a simple configuration option, this allows them to operate as frame relay access devices (FRADs) in mixed networks.
This important capability provides easy migration for users who choose to move from X.25 to frame relay; it also allows a public X.25 network, for example, to be used as a back-up to frame relay.

Commitment to quality

Series 8000 is designed and manufactured by Case Communications in compliance with BS5750 Part 1 (EN29001) in state of the art production facilities just outside London. The BS5750 standard is only awarded after an extremely rigorous assessment of the company by the independent British Standards Institute. Case Communications has held this approval for over five years; it guarantees the highest levels of test and quality control throughout all stages of design and manufacture.

Management

Management is provided via local and remote asynchronous terminals as well as from the DomainView Network Management System. This provides comprehensive monitoring, control and planning capabilities, together with detailed call accounting and billing facilities.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

These specifications cover 8325 and 8525 X.25/X.75/frame relay functionality. For integral PAD/FRAD/concentrator functionality please refer to the individual fact sheets.

Node

• 8325 Cardframe RFI-tight, desktop or 19" rackmount
• 8525 Cardframe RFI-tight 19" rack mountable cardframe designed for computer room environment
• Available with or without suitable cabinet

Storage

• Dual, high density 3.5" floppy disks
• Automatic software loading and storage of configurations

Power supplies

• Single (8325)
• Up to 5 (8525) modular load sharing PSUs

Processor capacity

• Up to 4 (8325) or 16 (8525) port modules or PAD/concentrator modules
• Dual, error protected packet bus

Throughput

• Over 800 (128 byte) (8325) or 3500 (128 byte) (8525) switched packets per second for a fully configured node

Physical interfaces

• Up to 24 (8325) or 96 (8525) X.25, X.75 or trunk ports
• Variants ITU-T V.24, X.21, V.35, V.36
• Internal or external clocks
• 2.4 to 256kbps internal clock speeds (according to interface and version)
• Aggregate of 256kbps per module

Physical and environment

• Power: 110 or 220V AC ± 20%, supply 45-65 Hz
• Load (8325): 225VA (max) 150 Watts (max)
• Load (8525): 1.2K VA (max) 900 Watts (max)
• Operating temp: +5°C to +35°C
• Storage temp: -10°C to +60°C
• Humidity: 0% to 95% RH, non-condensing

Dimensions

• 8325: 140mm (H) x 435mm (W) 445mm (D) (desk/rackmount unit)
• 8525: 755mm (H) x 440mm (W) 640mm (D) (Excludes cabinet)

Network level interface

• Protocol ITU-T X.25 (1980, 84, 88)
• HDLC/LAP-B (ISO 7776)
• DTE or DCE operation
• Framing modulo 8 or 128
• Protocol ITU-T X.25 (1980, 84, 88) ISO 8208
• ITU-T X.75 (1980, 84)
• DTE or DCE operation
• Win. size 1-7 or 1-127 (default 2)
• Pkt size Full range (16 to 4096)
• Virtual PVCs, one way and two way circuits SVCs in range 0 to 4096 as per X.25. (Up to 256 or 1024 VCs per module depending on type)

Frame relay interface

• Protocol ANSI T1.618/ITU-T Q.922
• ANSI T1.617 Annex D (LMI)
• Operation DTE

Network facilities

• Optional end to end delivery confirmation (D-bit)
• Full Q and M bit support
• Closed user groups, call barring, fast select
• Reverse charging, extended formats, hunt groups
• Flow control and throughput class negotiation
• NUI transfer, NUI & RPOA subscription
• Charging information, call billing
• ITU-T DTE facility transfer (extended addresses etc.)
• Powerful and flexible address translation & manipulation
• Support for any X.121 addressing scheme
• V.54 test support, call trace, diagnostic virtual DTEs
• Auto-rerouting on trunk failure, with auto-restore
• V.24/X.21/TA control for PSTN/ISDN dial links
• Integral asyncronous data broadcast system
• Applications programming interface
• Network data integrity
• Call redirection, call deflection
• Multiple public/private network gateways
• Integral mini-PAD for PAD module manager access
• 'Compound node' wild card routing

View data sheet for 8325 and 8525 packet switching exchanges

For more information on the 8000 series, please contact Marketing