The D90 Range of interface modules

Features
Modular architecture
Total flexibility
Based on ISO standard Eurocard
3U modules fit in 19 inch rack
Mix and Match modules
Economical and Expandable
Simple to configure
LED indicators
Built in diagnostic system
Range of protocols and terminal emulations

Modular
All modules in the D90 range are based on the ISO standard Eurocard format and can be mounted in a standard 19" subrack. Different types of module can be mixed within a rack to construct Protocol converters, Gateways, Bridges, Routers as well as many other specialised connectivity solutions to legacy problems. Applications include: Controlling and monitoring all the major road junction traffic lights in a large city; Servicing banks of local ATM machines and connecting them to the corporate WAN; Interfacing TCP based back office systems to legacy 2780/3780 dialup modem banks; Streaming UDP to synchronous satellite uplinks.

General Specification
Each subrack comes complete with a heavy duty power supply that can support up to 14 D90 interface modules. The subrack will fit into a standard 3U (162mm) height cabinet. Each module has a width of 6HP (30mm) and is fitted with one or more standard connectors for connection to computer and terminal equipment. The front panel of each module is fitted with LEDs which indicate system status as well as error conditions detected by the built in diagnostic system. All components of the D90 system conform to our high quality standards.

Economical and Expandable
The special design features of the D90 range mean that you can buy just what you need. No need to buy another box if you already have a data comms cabinet with spare space. You can start with the minimum and add more as your requirements grow. If you do decide to take another route, you will not have bought a lot of surplus equipment you never use.

Modular Hardware Architecture
A range of D90 interface modules has already been designed to address the most common connectivity problems. These include single synchronous, asynchronous, dual asynchronous, LAN and X25 modules. Lucidata's in-house state of the art design facilities allow us to produce new module designs in a matter of weeks. So if we haven't got it , and you need it, we can make it!

Simple Configuration
No switches or complicated instructions. The optional Diplomat Network Monitor module enables simple re-configuration of all the modules present. At power up this module automatically initialises all the other modules from configuration data held in the battery backed memory. By plugging in a standard asynchronous terminal or PC, the current configuration is presented and can be altered using the simple built in menus. Any changes to the configuration are stored in battery backed RAM for the next automatic restart.

Parameters that can be altered include transmit and receive speeds, parity and word length. Internal or external clocks may be selected and signals such as DCD, DTR and RTS can be monitored or controlled on each port. Application specific parameters, such as poll address and port mapping, can also be altered using the Network Monitor.

Protocols and Emulations
Within each D90 interface module is an EPROM containing all the necessary software for a particular protocol, emulation, code conversion or other communication task. A range of protocols is available now - and more are under development. Currently available protocols include TCP/IP, Ethernet, IBM 2780, 3780, 3270, Bull VIP and ICL CO3. A selection of terminal profiles from our library can also be included in the firmware to enable similar presentations to be made on a wide variety of terminals.

Technical Support
The D90 range is designed and manufactured in the UK by Lucidata using the latest CAD/CAM facilities to ensure a very high quality product. Because we have control over every aspect of our products, we can offer a high degree of technical support and flexibility. Many of our clients have special requirements and we are always happy to accommodate them. For more information please contact us at our address.

The D90-IB8 Module for IBM 2780/3780 BSC Protocols
The D90-IB8 module is one of a family of mix and match products that slot into the D90 protocol convertor range. It enables connectivity between systems running variants of the IBM 2780/3780 protocols and devices handling simple asynchronous data streams. It typically provides the bridge between legacy equipment and the modern PC, Unix or Network environments.

Features
The D90-IB8 has been designed to be flexible to address the many ingenious applications of the basic IBM 2780/3780 protocol that have developed over the years. With many years experience of user applications Lucidata has a deep insight into what features are most needed by users.
Support for ASCII, EBCDIC and Binary transfers is improved by providing user selectable filtering on the data stream and choice of format conversions for line control, for example. Record length can be rigidly enforced or can be controlled by the user. You can even dynamically switch between 2780 and 3780 while the D90-IB8 is servicing a dial-up modem. In fact the user has total control over the D90-IB8 through the asynchronous port giving a high level of security in a switched environment. The User Guide provides over 20 pages of technical information to enable the system integrator to really get the most out of the facilities offered by the product.

Installation
All units are preconfigured before they leave our factory so installation is very easy. The asynchronous port is 100% pin for pin compatible with the PC's COM port and a simple cable is all that is required to connect to a modem or mainframe. Full cable details are provided.

The D90 Network Monitor Module (DNM)
This module is used to re-configure other modules present in the rack via software control. It is fitted with a D25 female connector which can be connected directly to an asynchronous terminal or PC. The current configuration of all the modules is presented with simple menus to enable various parameters to be changed - data rate, parity, echo, cluster address, poll address etc. The DNM can also gather statistical information from the modules that collect them as well as perform diagnostic tests during normal operation. A DNM is essential for configuring the rack where the D90 equipment forms a node within a much larger network. If this module is not present, the configuration parameters default to factory set values.

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The D90 Serial Synchronous Module (SS1)
This module is fitted with a single channel synchronous interface. It is used to connect to typical synchronous mainframe ports running the full range of Diplomat supported protocols. It can be configured to use its own internal programmable clock or to use an external clock. When fitted with a D25 male connector it is configured as a DTE and when fitted with a D25 female connector it is configured as a DCE. The SS1 is normally fitted with communications protocol emulation firmware, such as model IB7 which supports the IBM2780/3780 BSC protocols for dial-up or ATM support. All communications parameters are configured using the Diplomat Network Monitor if one is installed.

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The D90 Dual Serial Asynchronous Module (SA2)
This module is fitted with dual asynchronous channels and forms the main asynchronous terminal interface module. It is also used in stand alone mode as a single channel asynchronous protocol converter. In normal operation, these modules are slaves to a network connection or host connection module. They can also be controlled and configured via the Diplomat Network Monitor if one is installed. The two D9 female connectors are configured as DCE and are directly compatible with the standard COM1: pin-out of the IBM PC. They are normally fitted with terminal emulation firmware.

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The D90-LAN Module
The D90-LAN module is fitted with a standard RJ45 jack for connection to a 10BaseT network using UTP cabling. It can optionally be supplied with a 10Base2 coaxial connector. The type of connection is determined automatically by the firmware. In conjunction with a Diplomat Network Monitor fitted with the appropriate LAN control option it can operate as a node in many different network configurations. At its simplest level of operation it provides the network transport mechanism used by the D90 to distribute its protocol and emulation facilities geographically. Standard protocol stacks supported include TCP/IP, UDP, ICMP and ISO 8073. These require the installation of the appropriate LAN control option. Two or more D90-LAN modules in a single rack allow the construction of simple Bridges and Routers.

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Features
Remote Switching
Simple Control
Instant Switching
3U modules fit in 19 inch rack
Flexibility

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The D90 Intelligent Data Switch (IDS)
The D90-IDS enables groups of user ports to be switched instantly from one system to a backup system. Essential for critical systems where large numbers of users require immediate recourse to a backup system in the event of a network failure.
The controlling data channel can be connected either locally or remotely to a PC, terminal or Network Management System. User lines and services are connected to the IDS via standard RJ45 sockets. The signals that are on the RJ45 pins can be anything from DC to 150Mbps. The Intelligent Data Switch can act as a remotely configurable patch panel for most purposes, switching users between services without even opening the cabinet!
Switching is controlled by simple commands. These can be manually entered from a keyboard or generated by a higher level Network Management System. A simple PC-based control program is provided, together with its source code to get you up and running in no time at all.
User ports can be switched all at once, in groups of 8 or on an individual basis. Or for a foolproof switchover to the fallback system one "panic" button will do it all.
Each IDS module controls 8 user lines. A 19" subrack can hold two IDS modules. The subracks can be daisy-chained together allowing a single data channel to control the routing of up to 2040 data cables on an individual or bank switched basis.
The D90 Intelligent Data Switch is designed to handle bandwidths from basic telephone to digital data in excess of 100 Mbps.
IDS modules can also be combined in a rack with any of the other modules in the D90 range such as Ethernet, X25, Synchronous (Bull VIP, IBM3270, ICL CO3 etc.) or Diplomat Network Monitor (DNM) modules.
D90-IDS modules can be used to build complex switching networks enabling you to give your users a choice of services with the security of centralised control.

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