My Product Line needs a new Story. Label: Stuff you stick to the front of your box for product identification.
Label Swapping: The process of swapping a "router" label with a "switch" label on a box. Label swapping typically requires an engineer or two but an entire marketing dept. Label Information Base: A database containing all the labels so far used in the industry, so that a new one may be selected by a company entering the fray. Taken labels include "IP switching", "Cell Switch Router", "Tag switching", etc. DLCI: Dual-Label Communications Instrument - Term indicating products from some companies optimistically jumping onto the IP switching bandwagon, based on software additions to their existing ATM switch products. Such products may be used for both IP switching and for ATM, and they may be cleverly designed to have the shortcomings of both ATM and IP switching. Flow: The influx of employees leaving a big corporation to join an IP switching start-up. Stream: The aggregate of many flows; many employees leaving many big corporations in droves to join many IP switching start-ups. Layer 2: OSI has defined three MPLS layers (see [Stallings97]): Layer 3 is the marketing hype. Layer 2 is the hand-waving logic to prop up the marketing hype. Layer 1 is the set of dubious performance numbers supporting layer 2. Some IP switching products also rely on a layer 0, which is the glib dismissal of anything ATM. Layer 3: See above. VC: Very Confounding - indicating arguments in favor of standardizing MPLS. Shortcut VC: A VC argument which skips unnecessary details such as performance results and directly jumps to the conclusion that MPLS is the salvation. Loop: A circular strategy whereby a vendor uses doubts on conventional router performance to sell IP switching products and skepticism about IP switching to sell more of its conventional routers. Loop detection: A stroke of luck whereby some customers manage to detect aforementioned loops. Loop prevention: A drastic step whereby some customers stick to SNA over frame-relay to avoid the whole nasty business altogether. MPLS domain: The marketing section in a company in charge of selling MPLS to the media and customers. VP: Vice President. MPLS node: Office of the VP (Marketing), responsible for MPLS products. Stack: Steadily accumulating drafts and white papers on IP switching. LDP: Let's Do Packets - New slogan for ATM vendors. LSR: Low-Selling Router - A device being converted to an "IP switch" by a router vendor. NHS: Not High Speed - An argument for MPLS in which policy and TOS-based routing capabilities are touted when forwarding performance is questioned. NHC: Not Highly Capable - An argument against MPLS by companies which don't have an MPLS-type product. Bala Rajagopalan NEC USA, C&C Research Labs 4 Independence Way Princeton, NJ 08540 U.S.A Ph:+1-609-951-2969 Fax:+1-609-951-2499 Email:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=45706&t=45706 -------------------------------------------------- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
