Networks telecom '99: show preview

Networks telecom is with us again, but with so many stands to choose from, where do you start? To help with this dilemma, we give you a run-down of some of the major events and where to find them.

Yet again, the curry capital of Britain hosts the country's biggest networking show, and a host of vendors attempt to fill our pockets with disposable pens.

The Networks telecom show, sponsored by Network News, runs from 29 June until 3 July. The networks part of the show is in four halls at Birmingham's NEC - halls 17, 18, 19 and 20 (see our floorplan, page 66). The telecoms (CTI) show is in hall 6.

But how does the average attendee go about getting the most out of a three-day experience which, if you are not very careful, can turn into an interminable trudge?

The main priority has to be to take an extra bag to fill with as many freebies as you can carry. You can then deposit the lot at the local second-hand shop for instant self-gratification. Also, just like Baden Powell used to say: "Be prepared".

And to overcome the uneasy feeling that every seemingly well-meaning and mild-mannered salesperson is, in fact, after your blood, you need to ensure that you know what you are interested in before you arrive.

Although the sheer size of the show makes it impossible to get to grips with what every stand will be doing, the following should give you an idea of some of the technologies on offer.

Redundancy on the cards

Redundancy is a major issue, and one that influences a network manager's product choice to a great extent. Performance Technologies will be launching its Nebula 8000 at the show, and you can check out a demonstration of the product at stand 17T101.

In simple terms, the product is two 100/1000 Ethernet backbone switches joined together into a 19in rack format. If one fails, traffic is automatically diverted over to the other while the faulty one is repaired.

Many people, including Network News, have predicted that wireless networking will really take off in the near future. It's still not happened yet, but the sector continues to gather momentum.

ASK Communication Systems will be advancing the cause by demonstrating what it claims to be the fastest wireless system on the market today, at over 8Mbps true throughput. Although many vendors may well contest this, you can check it out for yourself on stand 20C38.

Last year a major theme was Gigabit. Terabit hasn't quite made it to Birmingham, but it certainly isn't far away! BATM will have its Terabit-speed Photonic switch on display - you can check this out on stand 20H81 - but unfortunately the switch will not actually be put through its paces at the show.

All the modules necessary for the successful transmission of 1Tbps of data will be on display, though, and the only way this can feasibly be done is through using light to direct the data - hugely impressive stuff.

Although some vendors are beginning to venture into the world of Terabit speeds, Gigabit has still not reached its full maturity. Foundry Networks is doing its best to help it along, however.

On stand 18Q54 Foundry will be demonstrating Gigabit speeds over copper, a technology that will really bring Gigabit into mainstream use. Copper, of course, is not as expensive as fibre.

The products on show include an eight-port Gigabit-over-copper module for the BigIron router, and Gigabit-over-copper uplinks for the FastIron, NetIron, and TurboIron.

And this is where the fighting could start, as Hewlett-Packard is also demonstrating its Gigabit-over-copper solution on stands 17U60 and 19M60.

Let's just hope that everything goes smoothly and that there's no blood left on the carpet tiles!

More ways to skin a cat

There is, however, more than one way to skin a cat, and bandwidth management can be just as successful in the quest for greater speeds than simply throwing more bandwidth onto your Lan.

Packeteer will be demonstrating the newest version of its bandwidth management solution, PacketShaper 4.0. Additions include the ability to automatically identify Citrix traffic, Clarent VoIP traffic and Microsoft Exchange traffic.

Check them out on stand 19M121.

Fibre, notwithstanding its cost, has a definite future in the backbones of our Lans and Mans (metropolitan area networks). Nbase-Xyplex will be previewing its fibre driver family, NC316, which it claims will double data throughput and increase distances up to 110km over single-mode fibre.

As well as this, the company claims that it will exhibit a "unique breakthrough in Gigabit Ethernet" by increasing the transmission distance over multi-mode fibre to 2km. Check them out on stand 17T90.

One company that hasn't displayed at the show before is Intel. Following the buy-out of Shiva, however, the processor giant will be exhibiting a host of products. The company claims that it can now offer a true end-to-end networking solution for any size of business.

You can find Intel and Shiva on stands 18N70 and 19J100.

On the subject of Intel, the signs are that eight-way processor technology is finally coming of age. Together with Fujitsu Computers, Intel will be demonstrating an eight-way Xeon server, complete with the eagerly awaited Profusion chipset. This will be demonstrated on the Intel stand.

Now, Apple has had a good year - the heavily promoted iMac has proven to be a huge success and many a dull x386 will be replaced by the uncompromising Apple flagship product. Citrix, however, will be using one of the colourful little critters for an altogether different reason.

The idea is to demonstrate its recently launched MetaFrame 1.8a software for Microsoft Windows 2000 Server. And, yes, the iMac will take centre stage by providing access to the server. You can catch this demo on stand 20B70.

Voice over IP making noise

We have managed to get this far without mentioning Voice over IP, and for a networks and telecoms show this must be something of a record. Siemens, however, will be demonstrating its migration strategy for the Realitis DX and Hicom 300E range of products.

Siemens claims that it will offer IP applications that enable users to integrate data, voice, image and text into a single network environment.

The company will also be launching HiNet (pictured left), its SME offering.

You can catch Siemens on stand 17S70.

Cisco will centre its display on a Network Design Clinic. Visitors will be able to take advantage of the free advice on how best to design their network. As well as this, it will come as no surprise to learn that the company will also be demonstrating its VoIP solution.

You will be able to make a call to any number in the UK over its data network - all of this fun stuff is happening on stand 17W80.

Along similar lines, Alcatel will be demonstrating what it calls Transparent Conversion. This, in simple terms, integrates voice and data with minimum disruption to your Lan. The 4400 PCX (Private Communications Exchange) will also be on show.

Packet Engines, a company Alcatel has recently acquired, will be demonstrating the conversion of video, voice and data in a Gigabit Ethernet environment.

All this is going on at stand 20A20.

Last, but by no means least, Lucent will be providing the first live demonstration of its INDeX ISDN-based communications platform. The voice compression technology allows you to make seven voice calls for the price of one by sending compressed voice down an ordinary ISDN line. You can find Lucent on stand 20F50.

For reasons of time and space, this has been but a whistle-stop tour of the delights of the Networks telecom show. Just wandering around among the stands you are pretty sure you want to visit will doubtless reveal many more interesting titbits.

Just make sure that you drink plenty of coffee, fulfil your curry quota and do your duty in the bar every night. Following these basic survival principles should ensure that the days fly by in no time - and you get something valuable out of the show.

COME AND SEE US

Network News will be at the show - come and see us at stand numbers D70 and D80 in hall 20.

Also, don't forget to pick up a copy of our Show Daily newspaper which will give you up-to-the-minute news on what's happening at the show.