ADC Kentrox Announces Broadest Line of Frame Monitoring DSU/CSUs; FrameVision Family Expanded to Include Industry's Only DSU for T3 Speeds

Business Wire, July 20, 1998

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 20, 1998--ADC Kentrox, the Network Access Company(tm), announces major enhancements to its FrameVision(tm) family of frame monitoring DSU/CSUs that now support 56k through T3 speeds.

These enhancements include new devices and powerful software features, including comprehensive local loop monitoring, end-to-end frame relay monitoring, and identification of "top talker" applications on enterprise networks.

"With these product line enhancements, enterprise networks of any size can now deploy frame monitoring equipment. In addition to having the broadest line of frame monitoring access devices, ADC Kentrox offers Frame Relay users the most cost-effective devices for monitoring frame circuits. In terms of downtime on typical T1 Frame Relay service, the cost of monitoring Frame Relay circuits with ADC Kentrox frame monitoring DSU/CSUs is less than the cost of not monitoring," said Clyde Jenkins, General Manager, ADC Kentrox. "The result is that users willhave the information they require to `right-size' their bandwidth and utilize their scarce WAN resources most effectively."

The FrameVision family of DSU/CSUs supports a wide range of applications, from 56/64k, T1/FT1 and E1/FE1 speeds. In addition, large enterprise networks with subscription to T3 Frame Relay services will be able to obtain end-to-end performance monitoring by early 1999 with the release of a frame monitoring DSU for T3.

Comprehensive Monitoring Boosts Performance of Frame Relay Networks

The ability to isolate application performance problems to either the LAN or WAN is extremely important, and can only be done effectively at the network access point. Through a combination of local loop, Frame Relay and enterprise monitoring, FrameVision architecture was designed to identify problems at the local central office, in the Frame Relay service, and with enterprise traffic loading. As a result, network managers can confidently assess the source of application problems for the speediest resolution.

Free with the FrameVision family of frame monitoring DSU/CSUs are two timesaving utilities. The DataSMART(R) Installer for Windows makes configuration quick and easy. After installation this utility allows network managers to diagnose network problems remotely, in-band over the TDM or Frame Relay network. Also included at no charge is a DataSMART Alarms Utility, which works with HP OpenView. The Alarms Utility identifies ADC Kentrox SNMP-manageable devices to continually monitor the network for interface and device errors.

SLA Reporting Options for All Users

A new extension to the FrameVision family is FrameVision Reporter, a low -cost software application for Frame Relay monitoring, created to meet the needs of small- to medium-sized network users. This web-hosted reporting tool is an easy-to-use solution that does not require advanced training to master. Network managers can verify Service Level Agreements (SLAs), isolate performance problems to the LAN or WAN, determine appropriate bandwidth needs and monitor network trends to aid in future capacity planning.

Two new reporting options are also available for enterprise-class networks with larger scale monitoring needs. FrameVision's standards-based, open architecture is specifically integrated with enterprise reporting applications from Concord Communications and DeskTalk Systems. Both Concord Network Health(tm) and DeskTalk TREND(tm) provide service providers and managers of large enterprise networks with automated, performance management reporting tools that include customized reports for the FrameVision frame monitoring DSU/CSUs. DeskTalk and Concord were selected as partners because both vendors' products are widely deployed and standards-based.

"Many large organizations and carriers are looking for enterprise network performance reporting. We designed FrameVision to seamlessly integrate with existing applications, rather than requiring customers to use multiple or proprietary reporting applications," said Olaf Nielsen, senior product line manager for the FrameVision family. "By implementing a single platform, network managers can reduce the cost of management and technical staffing."

Price and Availability

Pricing for the FrameVision E1 DSU/CSU starts at $1,795 (US list) and is available now. The T3 model is priced at $14,995 (US list) and will be available in Q1 1999. The FrameVision Reporter is priced at $995 (US list) and is orderable now, with shipping eight weeks from receipt of order. The Enterprise `top talker' Monitor Option, available in Q1 1999, is priced at $500 (US list). A complimentary preview release of FrameVision Reporter is available on the Web site (www.kentrox.com) for downloading. The Concord Network Health enterprise reporting package is priced at $5,000 and is orderable from ADC Kentrox. Contact DeskTalk for ordering information on the DeskTalk TREND package.

For more information about the FrameVision family of DSU/CSUs and reporting options contact ADC Kentrox at 1-800-733-5511 or visit our Web site at www.kentrox.com.