@device[x2700]
@make[report]
@heading[X.25 Switch Survey]

The Academic Community has now been using GEC packet switches for a number of
years and it was felt appropriate to conduct a fresh survey into current
X.25 switching products.  The main intention of the survey was to identify
potential suppliers of both large switches (around 100 lines) and of
small switches (around 10 lines) neither of which is satisfactorily
covered by the GEC products.  An initial survey was made of 17 systems
which are currently marketed and a summary of the report, entitled
'X.25 Packet Switch Survey, 1st Stage Report' is available from the JNT.

From the initial survey six manufacturers were picked for a more detailed
examination. They were the existing suppliers GEC and Camtec joined by
Amdahl, Dynatech, Telefile and Telematics. The requirement for large switches
was addressed by GEC, Amdahl and Telematics whilst Camtec, Dynatech and
Telefile were contenders for the small switch requirement.

The final survey report recommended that, subject to a number of conditions,
restricted procurement should be permitted between GEC and Telematics at the
medium to large switch sizes. For switches up to 30 links the report 
recommended a choice between GEC, Camtec and Telefile.

Since the report was given to the JNT, Edinburgh University has purchased
and installed a pilot switch made by Telefile. The purchase was made 
through SEEL who hold the rights to sell to the Academic Community.
This switch has now been running as an integral part of the Edinburgh
University network since the beginning of April.
The overall performance has been very satisfactory
with 25 active links sustaining 100 simultaneous calls.
A few problems have been uncovered during the pilot phase and they are under
investigation.

@flushright[Brian Gilmore
E.R.C.C.]