@b[Edinburgh Regional Computing Centre]


@heading[Proposal to the JNT for a
X.25 Packet Switch Survey]


@centre[Brian Gilmore
June 1985]

 The ERCC proposes to do a survey of X.25 packet switch suppliers. The survey
will be in two stages.

@b[Stage 1]

 In Stage 1, a general survey will be done of at least 15 X.25 packet switch
suppliers with the aim of establishing the cost, throughput, connectivity and
management facilites of the various products.  The aim of the survey will
be to produce a short list of a few suppliers for Stage 2.  At the end of
this stage an interim report will be provided to the JNT for their approval
of the short list.

@b[Stage 2]

  A detailed survey will be done of the short listed suppliers with an
indepth examination of each product, evaluating in detail the facilities and
restraints of the factors examined in Stage 1.
The basis of the questions asked in Stage 2 will be the existing JNT
functional specification enhanced in the following ways.
@enumerate[
A higher connectivity PSE (>200 connections)

A small connectivity PSE (about 10 links)

A higher throughput PSE  (>1500 pkts/sec)

The ability to fully manage a multi-nodal network

Requirement to support X.25 (1984) and requests for information on the
possibility of producing various conversion aids such as a YB to X.25(1984)
gateway.
]

The intention of Stage 2 is to produce a report which will indicate those
manufacturers who can produce, support and maintain a suitable range of
packet switches to last the Academic Community for the next five years.

@need[1in]
@b[Effort Required]

  Approximately one man day per supplier will be required for stage 1, a total
of 15 to 20 man days.  Approximately one man week, including a visit to
the supplier, will be required for Stage 2.  Another week will be needed
for the final write up of the report giving  an overall total of 50 man days.

@b[Cost]

 The cost will be @t[#]4500 (inc VAT) for the manpower. An additional @t[#]600 
will be required for visiting the short list manufacturers.

@b[Timescale]

Both parts of the survey would be finished, at the latest, by the  end of
October 1985.  The date for the first report will depend on the reponse by the
manufacturers.