Peter Simpson, Hong Kong
HP Adds ATM, Fast Ethernet to
"Internet Advisor"Hewlett-Packard has upgraded its portable Internet Advisor analyzer to test high-speed ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) networks and Fast Ethernet.
A new light-weight module provides 0C-3c test capabilities, allowing users to capture and decode ATM cell data at full OC-3c lines rates for ATM transmission.
The Internet Advisor is designed to allow users to install, support and maintain ATM, WAN and LAN networks and equipment by providing quick and easy troubleshooting anywhere on the network.
Another added key feature is a Microsoft Windows user interface, which makes it easier for technicians in the field to monitor and diagnose problems with network traffic using the Internet Advisor.
"The enhanced Internet Advisor with the Windows 95 interface is cutting cost and work rate for many Hong Kong companies such as Hongkong Telecom and New World Hutchison," claimed HP spokesperson Albert Tang. He added: "But the most important thing that is going down well with companies is that it is easy to learn how to operate the Advisor."
Wrapping up a week-long demonstration tour of Asia in Hong Kong, business unit manager Rick Pearson of the TMO's Colorado communications operation, demonstrated the modules that have been developed for testing Fast Ethernet and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network connections.
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Fast Ethernet Test Screen |
OC-3C Test Screen |
The new OC-3c module allows users to capture and decode ATM cell data at full OC-3c line rates for ATM transmission. It also offers tools that combine full duplex, full line-rate data capture, statistical analysis, simulation and physical interfacing.
The new device is HP's answer to the growing demands on the bandwidth and the need for faster technologies to help network managers and service providers anticipate network problems and maximize uptime.
"The need for speed is the trend in the industry," Pearson said. "Figures show there are between 30 and 40 million network interface cards sold for connecting devices to a LAN or WAN each year.
"The size of the data files being moved around on those networks is growing all the time. You then realize the importance of faster technologies and the need for HP to keep up with the trend.''
The 60,000 previous units built by HP are already testing technology that is already obsolete, said Pearson, while the company's Fast Ethernet can cope with 100Mbs data transfer compared to Ethernet's through-put ceiling of 10Mbs.
The Advisor can accept modules for testing particular protocols and data transfer services. The modules are about the same size as a hard drive module for a notebook PC and slot into the computer's chassis. The Advisor has a Windows 95 GUI to make it more efficient for technicians on site to monitor and diagnose network traffic problems.
"It can take a lot of drilling and hunting to find the status of a network. This interface allows the technician or network manager to find out what exactly is going on," Pearson said.
Although the Advisor does offer an http analyzer which can be used for some Internet functions, the main function is troubleshooting inter-networking tests.
Pearson claimed the name Inter-networking Analyzer was shortened to Internet Advisor "well before the Internet was big".
The new module is about the size of a paperback book and weighs only 20 ounces, sliding easily into the Advisor.
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