Conference netcad::hub_mgnt

    >I believe that when using DECrepeater 90TS's in a DEChub 900 that it
    >can use the flex channel on the top connector and when connecting
    >between 2 repeaters using IRB that it only counts as one hop.  Is this
    >correct ?
	Yes, the TS and FS can use the flex channel to connect to the IRB,
	so you only have 1 repeater hop in the 900. In contrast, any of the
	current 90 modules (90C, 90T, 90FA, 90FL) can only connect to the
	ThinWire in the 900 hub, so you get 2 hops when using those just as
	you would in the 90.    

    >Q:  If these modules are used in a DEChub 90 will they still count as 2
    >repeater hops ?
	In the 90, you still count it as 2 repeater hops because the 90 does
	not have an IRB channel. 
    
    >Q:  Will there be a thinwire version of the above repeater ?
	I am not currently planning a new 90-size ThinWire module.  I only
	have plans today for a MAX-size ThinWire module (DECPM).
    
    >There had also been some talk regarding the assignment of Ethernet
    >ports to LAN segments.  As it stands at the moment only a complete
    >DECrepeater 900TM is able to be assigned to different LAN segments, and
    >then only the whole 32 ports.  Will this change ?  There was talk about
    >the 24 port repeater (DECrepeater 900BM) being able to assign groups of
    >ports to a particular LAN segment, and then at a later stage being able
    >to assign individual ports to LAN segments.  Will this be the case ?
    
	The DECrepeater 900TM is not upgradeable to allow port switching, and
	since the 900GM (note name change) uses the same chips, it has the
	same functionality as the 900TM.  The only way to get port switching	
	capability in Twisted Pair modules is to buy the port switching 
	modules when they are introduced in late Q1/Q2 of next year.

    >Q:  How realsitic are the release dates that are quoted in the ONEhub
    >system spec ?  Can we expect to see new product shipping within the
    >next 1-2 months for those products due for FRS in FEB ?

	I can only speak for the repeaters, but my new ones (900GM, 900FP,
	90FS) that are being announced on Feb 8 will be FRS'ing in April
	with volume availability about a month later.  Please note that
	the 90TS is not being announced at this time and is not expected
	to FCS til June.

Cathy

    
    Repeaters in a 900 connected via Flex channels (Ethernet in HUBwatch
    terms, as opposed to the one Thinwire) always count as only one
    repeater hop for the hub.  This is still true for the new half-height
    repeater(s) that have flex channel capability on the upper connector.
    
    Q:  If these modules are used in a DEChub 90 will they still count as 2
        repeater hops ?
         
    	Yes.
    
    

    Cathy,
    
    Thanks for the answers that you provided.
    
    Q:  Is there any plans to produce a modified DEChub 90 backplane that
    has a flex channel incorporated ?  The 2 repeater count is a big
    hassle, particulary in a situation where DEChubs are being used in a
    collapsed backbone environment.  It is one of the main selling points
    that our opposition uses against us.
    
   Thanks again for your responses.
    
    
    Regards,
    
    
    Reece Boucher

    We keep talking about something between the 90 and 900, but right now
    that's all that we're doing. There are no plans currently in place for
    a product between the two or to modify the current 90.  It's possible
    we may do it in the future, but that would be quite a bit out as it's
    not even part of any plans (that I know of) yet.  Of course, I'm not
    the hub product manager, so there may be more going on here than I know
    about.  Repeaters keep me pretty busy.
    
    Cathy

    
    
    Your assumption of problems with collapsed backbones is based on model
    1 repeater rules. Contact Joe KALI::BURNETT on the new PC based
    configuration tool to do validation with model 2 repeater rules that
    in many cases will show the 4+ repeater cases to be valid.