* Ok, they have a cute Java based puzzle on their web - see
<http://www.shiva.com/remote/access_switch/index.html> However, they
went with NS frames, I hope they provide pages for the frame-impared.
* Both the Shiva and the PM-3 support PRI dialin, and
T1/frac-T1/channelized-T1 leased lines for WAN support. It looks like
the Shiva does channelized dialins too, that will be a software
upgrade on the PM-3.
* PM-3 includes CSU/DSU - optional on Shiva.
* Same protocol support - except the Shiva also does ARAP and NetBUI.
Two protocols we have decided not to support. Appletalk over PPP is a
possibility.
* I see no mention of multi-chassis multi-link PPP.
* The Shiva does have more extensive dialout capabilities when used on
a Novell or Appletalk LAN.
* Both units support similar switch types.
* Shiva prices range from $23K to $63K I got that from a press
release as they don't seem to list prices. I can't compare prices
because I don't have configurations to do a break down. Assuming I
got it below (4 PRI/T1/E1 lines and 72 modems) you can get the same
with 2 PM-3s for $50,900 *list*. With a full load of 96 modems for T1
they would be $61,300 or $71,500 with 120 modems. The same
configurations at ISP pricing are $27,998, $33,722, and $39,326
repspectively. The starting list price for a PM-3 is $6,950 for a 1
PRI with no modems, a 2 PRI unit is $9,950. ($3,823 and $5,473
respectively at ISP pricing.) So it looks like the bottom of the two
price curves are radically different, I'd like to know what the $23K
unit includes.
* I can't believe it, but they don't seem to say how many T1/E1/PRI
lines you can put in a box. They just say "designed for over 100
users". It looks like there are 11 slots, 2 of them used by the main
CPU card and the network card. Now, that leaves 9 slots. If you put
1 dual T1/PRI card in you have a max of 48 lines. So you need 4 slots
for modems (12 to a slot). Leaving 4 slots unused. In Europe it
would be 60 lines, so 5 modem cards, 3 unused. If you go with 2 dual
T1/E1/PRI cards you have 96 lines, and 7 open slots - which means only
84 modems! That's a short age of 12 modems. Or a shortage of 36
modems in Europe. Not a balanced design - too much room or not
enough. I suppose you could put it at a POP with 3 dialin lines and
one used for WAN links - to be fair. Looking at their illustration it
looks like their high speed MVIP BUS only covers 7 slots, with the PCI
BUS covering all 11, and the Control Bus 8 slots. Hmm, looks to me
like there are only 8 slots for WAN cards and modems. So 72 modems
maximum - the same 96 lines but 72 modems issue as the Ascend MAX.
Worse for Europe - 120 lines but 72 modems. (Anyone have one of these
who can comment?)
* Physically the unit is larger than the PM-3.
* Where we produce extremely high performace with efficient,
streamlined code, Shiva is using expensive processors. A 68060 on the
routing engine, a 68040 on each 12 modem card(!), and a 68020 on each
T1/E1/PRI card. That adds up to a lot of processors in each box, and
CPUs are not inexpensive.
Data from:
<http://www.shiva.com/remote/access_switch/index.html> - all
subsections.