@make[report]
@flushleft[EDINBURGH REGIONAL COMPUTING CENTRE]
@flushleft[COMMUNICATIONS GROUP]
@majorheading[X.25 Packet Switch Survey]
@heading[1st Stage Report]
@section[General]
A total of twenty four manufacturers have been approached to determine what
X.25 packet switch equipment they sold and to do a brief examination into
whether the equipment would be suitable for use in the Academic Community.

Of particular interest was those manufacturers who could provide equipment
of greater connectivity than the existing GEC 4190 and those who sell very
small switches.
@section[Products]
The following systems we found to be currently marketed:
@begin[verbatim]
         Amdahl:       BBN:         BT:       Camtec:      DCA:
         Dynatech:     GEC:         IPAC:     Memotec:     Motorola:
         Northern Telecom:          Plessey:  SESA:        STC:
         Telefile:    Telematics:   Thorn-Ericsson.
@end[verbatim]

The following companies were approached but do not offer a distinct Pswitch
at this time:
@begin[verbatim]
         CASE:         Logica:                Timplex (PADs only):
         Jaguar:       Gandalf (PADs only):   Norse Data.
@end[verbatim]
In addition to the above list XTEC, currently selling PADs, aim to sell a
switch shortly but no details can be obtained yet.  IAL (part of STC/ICL)
sell a switch but it is made by Telematics.
@section[Basis of Comparison]
The basis of comparison for the alternativd systems has been the JNT spec,
expanded to include a switch with 10 ports (one at 48 kb/s) and a switch
of 100 ports (8 at 48 kb/s).  The prices which have been obtained are for
one-off systems and the throughput figure has been adjusted where necessary
to use the same meaning as in the JNT specification.
@section[Results]
For each of the available products a summary of the main features of each
follows this text.  In addition to these summaries two tables have been
included, the first shows the approximate cost of eacy system and the
second gives a one line comment on the product.  A summary has not been
prepared for either GEC or Camtec as it was felt that their products were
well known.
@section[Confidentiality]
The only confidential details in this report is the specific cost of the
Telematics product which was quoted by ICL.
@section[Short List]
Apart from GEC and Camtec who will be used as a 'benchmark' to guage the
other products it is recommended that the following are investigated in
more detail:-
@begin[enumerate]
Telematics: as they produce an attractive product in all parts of the
size spectrum.

Thorn-Ericsson: as an alternative large switch.

Dynatech: as a main-line supplier of small switches.

Telefile: as an alternative small to medium switch.
@end[enumerate]
@newpage
@majorheading[Summary]
@flushleft[
Amdahl    :  Cost too high and doubts over inter-working capabilities.

BBN       :  Addressing problems and seperate NOC required.

BT        :  Packet rate is very low.

DCA       :  Restriction in number of virtual calls/links.

Dynatech  :  Proposed for short listing.

IPAC      :  Only 9.6 kb/s lines supported.

Memotec   :  Configuration is too restrictive.

Motorola  :  Cost per line is very expensive

Northern
  Telecom :  Basic cost of a switch is too high.

Plessey   :  Performance doesn't reach the JNT spec.

SESA      :  No information received.

SIEMANS   :  Difficult to inter-work with.

STC       :  Initial cost is too high.

Telefile  :  Proposed for short listing.

Telematics:  Proposed for short listing.

Thorn
 -Ericsson:  Proposed for short listing.
]