Table of Contents RISC System/6000 ESCON Control Unit Adapter
TCP/IP Tutorial and Technical Overview

5.16 The IBM Nways Router Family

IBM offers two different multiprotocol routers:

Following is a brief description of both routers and their major functions.

5.16.1 IBM 6611 Network Processor

This router is offered in four different models, 120, 125, 145 and 175. The second digit of the model number represents the number of available slots for network adapter cards. The model 120 is offered in 10 fixed configurations while all others can hold any of the following adapters:

For more details, please refer to IBM 6611 Network Processor Introduction and Planning Guide.

The software support of the 6611 is provided by the preloaded IBM Multiprotocol Network Program 1.3 (MPNP 5648-016). It provides the following major protocol functions:

5.16.1.1 Configuration, Management and Maintenance

The Configuration Program enables you to create a 6611 configuration which defines the interfaces and protocols you want to run. This program runs on the AIX/6000, OS/2 and DOS Windows platform and provides a graphical user interface for easy configuration. After you have finished the configuration the program creates a diskette with the binary files for the 6611.

The System Manager provides menu-driven and command line interfaces to view statistics, perform problem determination, install and update software, access other nodes in the network or make configuration changes.

The SNMP agent includes the following major functions:

The IBM 6611 is fully interoperable with the IBM 2210 and routers from other vendors if they comply with the open standards.

The newest 6611 MIB is available from the anonymous FTP server: ftp://venera.isi.edu/mib on the Internet.

For more details, please refer to IBM Multiprotocol Network Program: User's Guide.

5.16.2 IBM 2210 Nways Multiprotocol Router

This is a low-cost router with very rich functionality for branch office environments which need to be connected to the multiprotocol backbone of an enterprise. All configurations offer at least one LAN and two serial ports. Optionally, there is an ISDN-BRI interface which became available in April 1995 in selected European countries and Japan. The planar board includes processor, memory and interfaces for LAN, WAN and ISDN. The hardware is preconfigured and reconfiguration is not possible. Table - IBM 2210 Model and Connectivity Offerings gives you an overview of the different models and included interfaces. The models with larger memory should be considered for larger networks.


Table: IBM 2210 Model and Connectivity Offerings

The IBM 2210 offers a variety of interfaces and connectivity options:

For more information refer to the IBM Nways 2210 Multiprotocol Router Planning and Setup Guide.

All models are shipped preloaded with IBM's Nways Multiprotocol Routing Network Services program (5765-368). The current version is 1.1.0 which provides the following protocol support:

5.16.2.1 Configuration, Management and Maintenance

The IBM 2210 comes with a configuration program similar to the IBM 6611. It runs on DOS/Windows, OS/2 and AIX platforms. This program aids you in configuring ports and software functions and allows you to make remote configuration changes while the 2210 is operational. All the configuration is done with an easy-to-use graphical user interface.

The SNMP agent includes the following:

The IBM 2210 is fully interoperable with the IBM 6611.

The newest 2210 MIB is available from the anonymous FTP server: ftp://venera.isi.edu/mib on the Internet.

For more details, please refer to IBM Nways Multiprotocol Routing Network Services: Software User's Guide.

The product AIX Router and Bridge Manager/6000 based on NetView for AIX provides a graphical user interface in order to manage both the 6611s and the 2210s in your network.

Table of Contents IBM 8229 Local Area Network Bridge