RBOC Uses Short Haul For Mid-Atlantic Data Network

RBOC Uses Short Haul for Mid-Atlantic Data Network

When Bell Atlantic (a Regional Bell Operating Company) was installing a 7-state mid-atlantic data network for their internal use, they ran into a problem.

The background

Bell Atlantic wanted to connect their facilities together so that users would be able to connect to any other user or a myriad of applications anywhere within the region. They wanted to access databases, files and a host of other information that could have resided in any of the Bell facilities.

They were able to bring to bear their expertise in WANs. They installed a large network that included several AT&T Virtual Circuit Switches (VCS) capable of supporting over 32,000 users. The VCS switches were connected together using T-1 circuits.

The problem!

At the central site, in Virginia, the VCS switch was located on the 8th floor of the building, while some of the users (300 of them), were located on the 5th and 12th floors. And everybody knows about the distance limitations of RS-232.

The solution!

Patton Short Range Modems. By utilizing existing building wiring, Bell Atlantic has installed the Patton Model 1000S on all PCs and at the communications center. This was the most economical way to have their users connected to the central data point for switching into the data network! Now any user can connect to any other user, server or database.

Here's how it works in Virginia

Data is sent from the user's PC COM port, over the Model 1000Ss to the central site rack. The data is transferred from the central site rack over to the VCS switch which reads the address and connects to the desired location. For flexibility, Bell Atlantic has installed patch panels on each side of the 1000S rack allowing technicians to quickly move connections either on the DTE side within the building or the DCE side to the virtual switch. This is especially helpful in implementing moves, additions and other changes with the hundreds of personnel within the building.

This case study should give you ideas for increasing your sales of short range modems.