The TP4/III was a completely new technology based on 16-bit microprocessors (68000) the existing TP4/II switches (6502) were 8-bit microprocessors which were slow and out of date in 1989.
Jim Hamrick was very keen to sell us these new switches and as you can see in the email below there were plans to setup training courses for BT People. However at exactly the same time as this email BT announced its intension to buy Tymnet from McDonnell Douglas (see this page) this put us in direct competition with Telenet and scuppered these plans.
To: M.BAKER (TJT106)
From: B.ATTWOOD (TJT223) Delivered: Thu 3-Aug-89 15:01 BST Sys 10085 (70)
Subject: TELEMAIL 2/8/89
Mail Id: IPM-10085-890803-135280692
Posted: Wed, Aug 2, 1989 7:45 AM GMT Msg: FGIJ-2307-4550
From: PSS.NOG
To: RBOND
CC: JHAMRICK, DCROKER, PTL.ENG, PSS.NOG, PSS
Subj: TP4/III TRAINING COURSE - PROPOSAL
Message No 160/9/BSB
Roy
I am looking at the possibility of arranging for Telenet to provide a
training course on the new switch in the UK. This is more practical
than sending 12-15 people over to the States and allows us to continue to
function operationally.
It would be useful to combine the training with hands-on experience, and I see
this coming from the TP4/III BT is obtaining on loan from yourselves, with the
chance perhaps of visiting Basingstoke if PTL have similar hardware.
I see the course taking up to two weeks, probably made up of separate
modules such that individuals may need attend only on part of the
2 week period to address their specific areas of interest.
Initial thoughts on the content are,
1 Installation
- practices
- procedures
- standards
2 Hardware
- archtitecture
- config options
- functionality eg backup redundancy operation
- maintenance practices
- spares
- support
3 Network Management
- TDT
- alarms
- stats
- billing collection
- loading, static and dynamic
4 Configuration
5 Performance
- packet throughput
- call setups
- congestion mechanisms
6 Dimensioning
I am seeking input from other BT managers to refine this list.
I see the course taking place around the end of September, subject to Telenet/
PTL agreement and the installation of the evaluation TP4/III.
Please can you a) seek a quotation from Telenet for such a course in the UK,
b) advise me whether they can meet the timescale.
c) let me know whether PTL have any TP4/III hardware at
Basingstoke which may be used to advantage.
Regards
Bryan Barker
Action?
|
To: K.PATEL (TJT302)
Cc: B.PUNCHARD (TJT079)
Cc: M.BAKER (TJT106)
Cc: B.BARKER (TJT124)
From: B.BARKER (TJT124) Delivered: Mon 22-Jan-90 9:55 GMT Sys 10085 (15)
Subject: RECOVERY OF TP4/III FROM BAYNARD HOUSE
Mail Id: IPM-10085-900122-089351152
Kishore,
Thanks for the copy of Roy Bond's letter dated
16 January 1990 advising us of his intention to recover
the TP4/III supplied to BT for evaluation.
My only comment to the letter is that we will provide what
assistance is necessary to carry out the recovery.
I note that Roy is to give 24 hours notice to Barry Punchard
of the removal. I am copying this GOLD to Barry so that he is
aware of this and to prepare to receive a call from PTL in
this connection.
Regards
Bryan |
If we had bought these switches I'm sure we would have ended up finding all the bugs for them (by trying out on our customers) as we always did. However I think it was far better technology than Tymnet engines and far better than what came out of subsequent BT procurement exercises which came up with some wacky choices.
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