This came up before:
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Why PM3, not Remote Annex 6300?
>Anybody have a comparison between the Remote Annex 6300 & the PM3? The
>RA6300 is being pushed here, but I would prefer a PM3. Basically, I'm
>looking for ammo. ;) Thanks!
Off hand the RA6300 uses Microcomm analog modems and a codec - it is
not an all digital solution. Which means the signal path isn't as clean,
you have higher power consumption, and more heat. It doesn't run ComOS,
which IMHO is a superior OS for a comm server. It doesn't support RADIUS -
Xylo's planned RADIUS support is basically using their existing ACP system
to proxy to a RADIUS server, not native support in the Annex. So you
won't have the features in RADIUS 2.0, and you'll have to learn another
security system. The user interface is very different from the PM, so
you might have some adjustment - although it is UNIX like so maybe not
too bad.
I'll try to look up more later.
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RA6300 vs PM-3
1. RA6300 is single PRI, PM-3 is 1 or 2 PRI in one chassis that is SMALLER
than the RA 6300.
2. PM-3 has built in CSU - it is an option on RA6300.
3. We support more ISDN switch types (not really an issue in US)
4. RA6300 has the same code bloat as other Annex units - uses 2 486
processors and 8 Megs to handle 1 PRI. We do 2 PRIs with 1 486 and 4 Megs
and don't breath hard.
5. We will support 33.6 V.34+ calls, they do 28.8 V.34
6. I don't see any provision for data compression on ISDN - we have a
daughter card coming out that will do compression.
7. TCP/IP and IPX are standard on all of our units, with the RA6300 you
have TCP/IP only or the 'Enterprise' set which is everything (for more
money, of course)
8. We use DSPs for a full digital path, they have microcom analog modem
cards.
9. OSPF is in beta now for the Livingston product family - are they doing
it? (Serious question, it isn't mentioned.) They do RIPv2, we don't to
be fair.
10. With the 8 and 10 DSP cards you have more flexibility in configuring
the unit.
11. With the PM you get integral support for the industry standard - RADIUS.
12. The PM-3 lets you use in.pmd and ChoiceNet. (RA6300 has rtelnet -
no where near the ioctl control - and filters defined via ACP security)
13. The PM-3 will support (if not at first ship, soon thereafter) multilink
PPP *across chassis* using the ethernet. You will be able to bond channels
from seperate boxes. I searched for it but couldn't find mention of
multi-chassis support on the RA6300.
14. The PM-3 will be software upgradable for channelized dialins - the
RA6300 is not, you need the RA6100 - which doesn't do ISDN. Free upgrade
of course.
15. The PRI/T1/E1 ports on the PM-3 can also be used for full T1/E1 WAN
links with PPP or Frame-Relay, Frac-T1/E1, or Channelized T1/E1 leased
lines (again note, channelized dialin is later). I see no indication the
RA6300 supports this.
16. The PM3 power supply autodetects AFAIK, the RA6300 is ordered with
different supplies.
17. And the 24 modem IP only RA6300 lists for $24,995. A 24 modem, 1 PRI
PM3 lists for $17300. I don't know if Xylo has ISP prices, but the ISP
price for the same pM-3 is $9,517. A dual PRI, 48 modem PM-3 lists for
$30650 and ISP price is $16,861 Oh, and don't forget you need to buy
the UNIX software for Xylo boxes individually, it is not included.
18. Livingston provides free life time software upgrades and free lifetime
technical support - neither are free with Xylogics.
Need more, I can do more research....
Of course, the RA6300 does have that cool dynamic ribbon device look...
It begs for a Coke label slapped on the front.
I got my RA6300 info from
<http://www.xylogics.com:80/prod/price/pl-full-70196.htm>
<http://www.xylogics.com:80/prod/data/pages/6300.htm>
<http://www.xylogics.com:80/prod/data/pages/6300-spec.htm>
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RA6300 vs PM-3 update
After my post on the RA6300 I was contacted by someone from Xylo (for those
who don't know, I used to work there) with some updates and corrections.
So in the interest of fairness:
I forgot about Xylo's tstty system. It provides support similiar to in.pmd
with the low level iotcl support rtelnet lacks.
The RA6300 has more switch types now, the web page is a release of code
out of date and the latest release added more.
Release 13.1 of the OS is out as of today, and that includes a system
whereby ACP security can call a RADIUS server. (The annex calls ACP which
proxies to RADIUS.)
There is a software upgrade for the RA6300 that will allow channelized
dialins.
Release 13.2, due in November, will do software data compression. There
is also a hardware option coming.
Multi chassis MP is in development for Release 13.2.
You can use the PRI port for WAN routing - it can do T1/Frac-T1/Channelized
T1. PPP only currently, frame relay is in development.
-MZ
-- Livingston Enterprises - Chair, Department of Interstitial Affairs Phone: 800-458-9966 510-426-0770 FAX: 510-426-8951 megazone@livingston.com For support requests: support@livingston.com <http://www.livingston.com/> Snail mail: 6920 Koll Center Parkway #220, Pleasanton, CA 94566 See me in person: Internet Expo, Boston, MA, October 16-17, Booth 422 ;-)