X.25 DATA NETWORKING

Series 8000

T.GATE ROUTER

IP Router and X.25 to Telnet Gateway

Typical T.Gate installation

The Series 8000 router provides a flexible and cost-effective method for full interworking between TCP/IP LAN and X.25 WAN users. In a single unit it combines powerful router and gateway support for TCP/IP. Both operations can be carried out simultaneously, if required. Up to 32 connections can be supported in total. Once installed, the router becomes an integral component of the packet switch exchange (PSE) in which it resides. The integrated router brings great benefits to a network in terms of cost, resilience and manageability.

Comprehensive management facilities can be accessed from both the local and wide area network.

Features

• Integral TCP/IP gateway and router for Series 8000
• Flexible and cost-effective
• Supports full TCP/IP routing from one TCP/IP LAN to another across an X.25 wide area network.
• Interworks with other TCP/IP routers over X.25 (eg. Cisco)
• Supports up to 32 remote LANs
• Gateway provides full interworking between TCP/IP and Telnet devices on the LAN and 'Triple X' devices on the X.25 network.
• Automatic network learn
• Available in 8325 & 8525 packet switch exchanges (PSEs)

Open integrated systems

Series 8000 is designed to enable organisations to build and manage private X.25 networks which are both open and integrated. A backbone network of 8525 or 8325 packet switching exchanges can be accessed via a wide range of access devices which include: the 8100S, 8210 & 8310 multi-function access units, the 8225 switch/concentrator, the 8160, 8260 and 8295 PADs, and now the integral TCP/IP router and gateway

Flexible routing

The 8000 router provides full routing support for TCP/IP users across an X.25 Wide Area Network (WAN). Up to 32 remote LANs are supported from a single router.

Operations supported include:

• Remote login (Telnet)
• File transfer (FTP)
• Network file system (NFS)
• Remote processing
• Remote printing

The 8000 router automatically propagates routing information to neighbouring routers, both on the LAN and WAN, using the routing neighbouring routers, both on the LAN and WAN, using the routing information protocol (RIP) standard. Any protocol using IP is supported (eg. TCP, UDP, NFS).

Intelligent routing

The 8000 router is designed to provide totally transparent support for IP traffic across X.25. LAN users can be totally unaware that their data is being routed across an X.25 network. RIP automatically determines the shortest network path to the destination, this feature is automatically performed every 5 mins so user data will always take the fastest route, if links have failed then RIP will detect this and alter its routing tables accordingly. Alternatively, static routes can be pre-configured to minimise network traffic, this could be used across public networks where usage charges may be high.

Interworks with other TCP/IP routers

The 8000 router has implemented encapsulation of TCP/IP over X.25 in accordance with RFC 877. This means that it will interwork with routers from other vendors in the same network eg. a Cisco router could be located at a central site with the 8000 router providing flexible and cost effective remote LAN access. Both products can be managed from Case's centralised management system.

TCP/IP gateway operation

The Series 8000 router's gateway support allows asynchronous users of the X.25 network (eg. attached via Triple-X Pads such as the 8160) to access the TCP/IP terminal service on an Ethernet LAN eg. a Unix host. For example, PAD-attached terminals may access a UNIX host on the LAN and initiate 'remote' prints to a local printer.

Conversely, TCP/IP users attached to an Ethernet LAN can access Triplex services on the X.25 wide area network. This allows LAN users to access applications residing on host systems in the wide area, including the public data network.

Dual Session support on gateway

Each gateway user can make up to two simultaneous connections, either to the same, or different, hosts. The user can then hot-key between each session with configurable key strokes.

Simultaneous router and gateway operation

The 8000 router supports any combination of LAN and WAN users up to a maximum of 32 connections. Absolute performance will be shared between the router and gateway functions, if operating simultaneously.

Powerful on-board manager facility

The in-built manager is command driven with menu assistance,which suits both the expert who can issue 'short-cut' commands, and the novice who can follow the menus and use the built-in help facilities. Configuration is clearly presented and easily edited via forms. A variety of different terminal types can be used by the manager, plus 4 manager-defined types. Manager services include configuration of operational parameters, monitoring of operation, control of user sessions and the logging of events. All configuration is held locally on disc and automatically loaded during power-up.

Statistics collection and reporting

Comprehensive statistics are collected such as datagrams transmitted and received, UDP counts, RIP counts for requests and responses, error counters etc.

Statistics are also provided for individual gateway sessions, detailing source and destination, packets transmitted and received etc.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

System

• 68020-based Card for 8325 PSE.
• 68020-based Module for 8425 & 8525 PSEs ( Min. of Version 8 required). 4Mb RAM.

User features

• Up to 32 simultaneous connections
• Connections: seamless or 2-stage via router menu
• Hotkeying: up to 2 sessions
• Configurable hot keys
• Configurable user messages
• User passwords
• User access to session status information

Ethernet interface options

• Standard: (10Base5) 15 way AUI connector on card

Protocol specifications

• IP:RFC 791
• TCP:RFC 793
• RIP:RFC 1058
• ARP:RFC 826
• Telnet:RFC 854,856-8
• PAD :CCITT(1984) X.29, X.3 (subset)
• X.25 WAN:CCITT(1980,84,88)
• X.25 (via 8325 or 8525)

Unit management

• Command and menu-driven, and form-filling
• On-line help facility
• Password protected
• Inactivity time-out on log-ons
• Statistics (Ethernet): MAC frames, CRC errors, long frames, IP datagrams

Statistics (for each session)

• Characters, packets, retransmitted packets, flow control state, etc.
• Local access: by async terminal via LAN or by async terminal on 8325 compact PSE.
• Remote access: by async terminal (via PAD and X.25) or by NMS remote log-on.

Manager terminal type

• VT100, CIPHER2605, IBM3101, ADM3A plus four manager-defined.
• Configuration load and dump
• Event reporting
• Unit restart
• Remote log-on to unit manager

View data sheet for Series 8000 T.Gate Router

For more information on the 8000 series, please contact Marketing