BAY Networks has announced BayStack, a range of new stackable solutions featuring integrated routers, switches, hubs and network management capabilities. The BayStack family combines a new Ethernet hub and network management products with BayStack-compatible hubs, and upgraded Access Node (AN) and Access Node Hub (ANH) routers. BayStack provides workgroup environments - such as departmental, client/ server and remote office customers - with a best-in-class stackable product line designed to be integrated and managed as a comprehensive, single solution. BayStack can be configured for as few as eight users and easily upgraded to support hundreds. However, unlike competitive stackable products, BayStack provides customers with a clear migration path for transitioning to high-performance, switched internetworks while preserving current investments. 'The workgroup environment presents many of the same performance and management requirements as larger networks, while also demanding products that are easy to install and easy to use,' said Tom Aucella, Bay Networks' area director for North and Central Asia. 'Like our customers, we believe that issues such as rapid growth, excessive traffic, lack of network control and remote office connectivity are best solved by a flexible solution that combines performance with inter-operability, manageability and investment protection,' he said. 'BayStack spares customers from the inefficient and ineffective task of stringing together disparate, incompatible components or from having to replace whole systems to meet expanding network demands, because it is scalable from small workgroups to high-performance switched internetworks.' The family of products includes the new BayStack 10BASE-T Ethernet Stackable Hub, and the new Optivity Workgroup network management software. Also included are the Ethernet Workgroup Switch, the 100BASE-T Hub, and the upgraded AN and ANH remote access routers. 'By applying the latest Ethernet technologies to deliver highly reliable, low cost-per-port systems, BayStack enables customers to keep pace with the growing demands of their businesses without sacrificing initial investments,' Mr Aucella said. Bay Networks' new Optivity Workgroup network management software provides tools to manage, configure and troubleshoot hubs, routers, switches and other critical network components. Optivity Workgroup comprises the EZ LAN and EZ Internetwork applications, which simplify the management of small networks and workgroups through a comprehensive set of monitoring, diagnostic and configuration applications. Installing EZ Internetwork and EZ LAN together provides an integrated, seamless, common interface for managing both routers and hubs.
