The Gateway

Volume 1, Number 4

Software Services and System Solutions for the Enterprise

Welcome to The Gateway, a monthly newsletter highlighting products, services, customers, and partners of The S4 Group, Inc. The purpose of this monthly newsletter is to provide information on Enterprise Management technology and the integration of non-It systems into enterprise environments.

The S4 Group and Metrobility deliver winning solution

Metrobility Optical Systems and The S4 Group partner on Duke Power Project

Metrobility Optical Systems is an ISO 9001:2000 registered company based in Merrimack, New Hampshire USA.  Metrobility Optical Systems is an innovative, next generation optical networking company focusing on delivering optical access and connectivity through the power of Ethernet and fiber optics to deliver network connectivity solutions. Previously known as Lancast, the Company brings vast experience in electrical-to-optical technology. Metrobility delivers highly reliable Ethernet connections for mission-critical enterprises and broadband metro access.  These fiber connectivity products provide a flexible, scalable, and manageable alternative to a "fork lift" upgrade when increased speed and distance extension (e.g., a campus environment, or a metropolitan network) require fiber optics.

"There are very few solutions for the industrial market that focus on the delivery of enhanced diagnostics in the Ethernet space", said Steven Curtis, VP of worldwide sales, of Metrobility.  "Offering an integrated solution with our partner, The S4 Group, greatly enhances our solution in a very dynamic market".

Click here to find out how Metrobility and The S4 Group are working together.

Profiles for RuggedCom, American Power Conversion, Compaq, and More

New Device Profiles Now Available for SOG v 3.0

 Several new device profiles have been added to the download section of the S4 Group’s website.  Included are profiles for several major Ethernet switches and other SNMP devices.  All of the new profiles where developed in-house by The S4 Group.  These device profiles have been rigorously checked for errors in The S4 Group’s lab and field tested at customer sites.

Have a device that needs a profile?  Contact Steve Jones for further information on custom profile development.

Flexibility and expandability give Ethernet longevity!

Happy Anniversary Ethernet!

May 22 was the 30th anniversary of Ethernet, an industry networking standard, developed by Bob Metcalfe at Xerox PARC. Over the last 30 years, the Ethernet standard has become the network technology of choice for homes, small business, and enterprises — around 85 percent of the world's LANs utilize the Ethernet standard.  The original Ethernet (10 Mbit/s) required a maximum of 1.2 milliseconds for the transmission of a 1518 byte packet.   Today, using Gigabit Ethernet, transmission time can be reduced to 12 microseconds.  Even with these improvements, Ethernet continues to evolve and expand in scope. The possibilities for 10 Gigabit Ethernet are today already under consideration with 1.2 microseconds transmission time.

Ethernet's application to industrial networks has revolutionized manufacturing and process control systems.  The S4 Group, Inc. has developed Device Profiles for many of the popular Industrial Ethernet switches and offers associated integration services.  Like a networked office, a networked factory increases in efficiency, productivity, and flexibility.  Ethernet based networks will make "smart buildings" a reality in the near future.  Improvements in quality of service and real-time data have caused many solution providers to consider Ethernet over proprietary solutions.

Ethernet is a time-tested technology in wide use and is the first choice for today's control networks.  Look forward to a faster, yet backward compatible, Ethernet with improved real-time capabilities.  The standardization of Industrial Ethernet hardware and software, ease of integration with existing systems, expandability, and compatibility with Windows NT give give this standard an edge over anything else on the market.

 Please send comments or submissions to:

The S4 Group, Inc.

585 - 24th Street, Suite 106

Ogden, UT

84401

Phone:

(801) 621 1970

E-mail:

nsjones@thes4group.com

www.thes4group.com

About The Gateway

The Gateway will be distributed on a monthly basis. You can view previous issues, news items and press releases at S4 Group News.

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