Looking toward the future of computer networking, we see that the need for increased interconnectivity will require continual growth in speed and features. Today there are several successful LANs competing in the 100 Mbps arena. Now we are considering the next generation of network. Ideally, users need a solution that provides the necessary bandwidth and connectivity while preserving their investments in hardware and software. This paper will present an architecturally different design for a new more effective LAN. The new architecture will provide a convenient solution to the need for higher total network capacity by interconnecting multiple FDDI networks (and/or network segments). The underlying network architecture is based on the FDDI protocols, which is an attractive feature for those who have invested resources in FDDI. Scalability is a required feature for any future network design and is addressed in detail by this architecture. This alternative next-generation networking solution has been presented to the ANSI standards committee X3T12 as a possible FDDI follow-on standard (FFOL).
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