Madge Networks, a worldwide supplier of data, video and voice networking solutions, outperformed the competition in an independent test that compared the market^1s latest 16/4 Token Ring adapters in simulated network conditions. Out of five adapters tested, the Madge Smart 16/4 PCI Ringnode Mk3 (WoL) and Madge Presto Plus PCI adapters came out on top, proving their ability to handle mission-critical traffic over Token Ring networks.
The benchmark tests conducted by The Tolly Group, an independent testing and strategic consulting organisation based in Manasquan, N.J., focused on examining the most up-to-date 16/4 Token Ring PCI adapters from Madge, IBM, 3Com and Olicom and their ability to handle transaction-based LAN traffic patterns common to industries where Token Ring is popular. These include financial corporations, manufacturers, airlines and the government, where use of the LAN is largely transaction-based.
"It^1s no surprise that LAN adapter vendors have delivered near wire-speed performance, especially when handling large file transfers," said Kevin Tolly, president and CEO of The Tolly Group. "So, it becomes imperative that Token Ring adapters provide the most effective performance when handling database transactions, credit approvals, and other business tasks. During our tests, Madge^1s adapters prove they offer higher transaction throughput than other rival products tested."
Using small frame sizes (67-byte and 166-byte), the tests simulated transactions to a Windows NT 4.0 Server and measured the IP throughput of the adapters using standard unmodified scripts from Ganymede Software^1s Chariot network simulation software. The results showed that Madge adapters deliver higher aggregate throughput than competing adapters. The Madge Smart 16/4 PCI Ringnode Mk3 (WoL) adapter processed up to 14.6 per cent more transactions per second than its competitors. The Madge Presto Plus PCI adapter also outperformed the competition, processing between 6.4 and 14.1 per cent more tps than the other adapters in the test.
Furthermore, large file transfers were used to ascertain maximum performance of the adapters. Using 4k frames (the commonest frame size used in Token Ring networks), the tests simulated file transfers to and from a Windows NT 4.0 Server and measured the IP throughput of the adapters. Under uni-directional file transfers, the results show that both Madge adapters utilized 15.7 Mbps of the maximum theoretical bandwidth of 16 Mbps. In addition, the Madge adapters achieved near wire-speed throughput with over 29 Mbps out of a possible 32 Mbps, while handling bidirectional file transfers in a full duplex DTR switched Token Ring environment.
Paul Archer, Token Ring product marketing manager, Madge Networks commented: "Our long established expertise and investment over the years in the development of Token Ring technology means that we are able to manufacture the best possible hardware and cater to the real needs of our customers. This level of understanding and technology leadership is demonstrated by the wholesale success of our adapters against our competitors in these tests conducted by The Tolly Group ."
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