Network Systems Corporation
| Industry | Computer networking hardware |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1974 |
| Founder | James Thornton, Peter D. Jones |
| Defunct | 1995-09-20 |
| Fate | Merged with Storage Technology Corporation |
| Headquarters | Saint Paul, Minnesota (original), later Brooklyn Park, Minnesota , United States |
| Products | HYPERchannel networking system, networking adapters, EN641 Internet Protocol Router, ERS Enterprise Routing Switch, NetSentry software firewall |
Network Systems Corporation (NSC), established in 1974 by James Thornton and Peter D. Jones, was among the pioneers in producing advanced computer networking hardware. Originally located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the firm relocated to Brooklyn Park following its initial delivery of high-speed networking equipment to the NSA. NSC concentrated on creating hardware that linked IBM and Control Data Corporation mainframes to remote peripheral devices and was the developer of the HYPERchannel networking system, which gained adoption by enterprises such as Cray Research and Tektronix. During the late 1980s, NSC enhanced HYPERchannel with TCP/IP compatibility, facilitating connectivity to nascent Internet networks.
History
NSC initially thrived within the mainframe sector; however, the emergence of distributed workstation clusters from vendors like Sun Microsystems and Apollo Computer, alongside internetworking companies including Cisco Systems offering affordable LAN and WAN solutions, transformed the competitive environment. As workstation and networking equipment costs decreased, NSC's proprietary HYPERchannel products encountered rivalry from less expensive, plug-and-play LAN technologies. Additionally, their offerings lacked customer-installable software upgrades and depended on NSC technicians for on-site servicing.
In response to these market shifts, NSC merged with Vitalink Communications Corporation in 1991—a manufacturer known for bridges with a significant presence in LAN markets. Nevertheless, Vitalink's bridge-centric approach was overshadowed by router producers such as Cisco and Wellfleet, who dominated through advanced routing protocols. By 1993, NSC broadened its product range by acquiring Bytex Corp., a Boston-based company specializing in WAN and LAN switching solutions including FDDI, Token Ring, and Ethernet adapters.
Despite these strategic moves, NSC found it challenging to adapt swiftly to evolving industry trends and ultimately merged with Storage Technology Corporation (StorageTek) on September 20, 1995. StorageTek itself was acquired by Sun Microsystems in 2005, which later became part of Oracle Corporation following its purchase in 2009.
Products
- AT10 HyperChannel Coax transceiver
- ACT10 HYPERChannel Coax transceiver
- A110 HYPERchannel Adapter designed for Control Data Corporation systems
- A120 HYPERchannel Adapter compatible with Control Data Cyber 720/730 systems
- A130 HYPERchannel Adapter for Cray low-speed channels (LSP4)
- A140 Sperry Univac adapter
- A160 Burroughs adapter
- A161 Honeywell adapter
- A220 HYPERchannel Adapter tailored for IBM Block Multiplexer Channels
- A240 ICL adapter
- A300 HYPERchannel Adapter intended for UNISYS systems
- A400 HYPERchannel Adapter for VMEbus workstations
- A510 and A515 IBM device support adapters (A515 represents an updated model)
- A710 and AC715 series link adapters (AC715 incorporates ACT10 technology)
- A720 Satellite Adapter
- DX Series HYPERchannel Adapters (second generation) supporting mainframes and minicomputer platforms including IBM, UNISYS, Stratus, Sun, Tandem, DEC
- DXE Series HYPERchannel Adapters (third generation) compatible with similar systems
- EN641 Internet Protocol Router: enabled connectivity between HYPERchannel devices and Ethernet-based TCP/IP networks; operated as an inter-network router utilizing the public-domain gated routing daemon on an embedded BSD Unix platform
- NB130 and NB220 HYPERchannel Cards designed for Cray and IBM streaming-block-multiplexers respectively; configurable with DX Series Adapters
- ERS - Enterprise Routing Switch (Nortel Passport series), evolved from NSC's IP routing technology
- NetSentry - Software Firewall for NSC ERS/Nortel Passport systems based on NSC's BCF (Bridge Control Filter) and PCF (Packet Control Filter) software
This collection of products underscores the company’s emphasis on delivering high-performance networking adapters and routing solutions aimed at mainframe and minicomputer environments, complemented by strategic ventures into IP routing and network security technologies.