Better, faster, stronger ComNet focuses on accelerated data solutions >BY BETH SNYDER, Switching & Transmission Editor

Whether downloading files from a corporate database, viewing photos on the Internet or browsing the World Wide Web, everyone is tired of waiting. Time is money, so the saying goes, and businesses are losing both.

On the floor this week at ComNet, showgoers can expect to see plenty of equipment designed to move data faster than ever before. Asymmetrical digital subscriber line companies will be showing off new modems and access multiplexers, all set to run data at speeds of at least 1.5 Mb/s over existing copper wires.

In the past six months, traditional data players such as Ascend Communications and U.S. Robotics; new market entrants such as NetSpeed and Diamond Lane; and longtime ADSL vendors such as Amati, Performance and Paradyne have introduced new or improved ADSL equipment in a host of variations and flavors. Most plan to demonstrate their solutions either at the show or in hotel suites nearby.

More recently, companies have been signing partnerships to work together for an ADSL solution. Northern Telecom and Westell Technologies, the ADSL modem manufacturer being used in all the Bell regional holding companies' trials, will exhibit their system.

Another hot topic-and sure to be manifested in equipment at ComNet-is Internet protocol switching. Last week, 3Com, Cascade Communications and IBM said they will work together on an end-to-end IP switching solution (see story below), which they will demonstrate. More than 20 companies have joined Ipsilon Networks on the IP switching bandwagon since last year's ComNet. Toshiba will show its next generation IP switch with asynchronous transfer mode. Ascend will also demonstrate its new IP switch.

Other recent trends and equipment expected in abundance: voice-over-frame relay products, higher port densities on all kinds of access devices and a renewed interest in both local area network and wide area network ATM.