Barr Systems Offers S/390® Host Connectivity with ESCON® Interface

Gainesville,Fla.-Barr Systems, Inc. announced it is offering limited availability of its new ESCON S/390® channel interface products to select customers. This adapter is the first of Barr's new fiber-optic product line, advancing gateway technology by offering S/390 host connectivity via a new ESCON interface. BARR/CHANNEL for SNA Server, or for IBM's Communications Server for Windows NT® emulates a locally attached 3174 cluster controller. It can be used in a variety of applications, putting your server directly on the mainframe's S/390 channel.

The ESCON fiber-optic link, now available on most mainframes, is a standard interconnection method for IBM's Enterprise Systems. With a data rate of 17 Megabytes per second, BARR/CHANNEL with the ESCON interface supports higher speed and reliability than the S/390 parallel Bus and Tag channel. Now gateways can be located near file servers, instead of on the mainframe floor: Barr’s S/390 channel interface allows connection of up to 43 kilometers away from the mainframe with directors, (up to three kilometers without directors) eliminating the need for channel extenders. In keeping with IBM Future Technology, Barr's ESCON interface is disaster-proof, and simple to install and configure. As with the proven BARR/CHANNEL Bus and Tag interface, the server connected via ESCON also can be added and moved without affecting the mainframe.

"We are dedicated to leading the market by providing a full range of solutions for data communication, designing every product to achieve high-performance, simple operation, and superior reliability," said Tony Barr, president of Barr Systems. "Our ESCON interface, with its elegant design, is a perfect example of our corporate ideals.".

BARR/CHANNEL with the ESCON interface will be available for purchase 3Q98 in the U.S. for $9,290. It also will be offered through Barr’s authorized dealers worldwide. Packaging will include PCI fiber-optic adapter board, software drivers, 7-meter (23-foot) fiber-optic cable, online help, and installation manual.

Barr Systems, Inc. leads the industry in design, manufacture, and support of high-performance data communications products. Its PC-based software and hardware products provide solutions to Fortune 1,000 organizations for enterprise-wide connectivity and printing. Incorporated in 1978, Barr Systems celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. The company serves an international customer base that has installed more than 35,000 products. For more information about Barr Systems and its full range of connectivity and high-speed printing solutions, call 800-BARR-SYS, or 352-491-3100, or visit the Barr web site at http://www.barrsys.com.