Ungermann-Bass
| File:Ungermann-Bass Logo.svg | |
| Company type | Public Private (1979–1983) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer network products |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Founder | Ralph Ungermann Charlie Bass |
| Defunct | 1997 |
| Fate | liquidated |
| Successor | Newbridge Networks |
| Headquarters | Santa Clara, California |
Ungermann-Bass, Inc., commonly referred to as UB or UB Networks, was an influential entity in the computer networking sector from the late 1970s through the 1990s. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, UB distinguished itself as the first prominent networking company independent of major computer manufacturers. Alongside contemporaries such as 3Com and Sytek, UB played a critical role in establishing Silicon Valley’s networking landscape beginning in 1979. The company was founded by Ralph Ungermann and Charlie Bass, with John Davidson serving as vice president of engineering; Davidson notably contributed to the ARPANET’s Network Control Protocol development. UB’s primary emphasis was on enterprise-level networks that integrated systems from multiple vendors.
Unlike much of the network hardware in the 1980s, which was often proprietary to vendors like IBM’s SNA or DEC’s DECnet, UB prioritized interoperability across diverse platforms. Their early product line utilized the XNS protocol suite, featuring their flagship solution Net/One, before shifting focus to TCP/IP as it became the dominant standard in the late 1980s.
TCP/IP functionality initially served as a key qualification criterion for enterprise contracts. UB supported major technology companies including Apple Inc. and Microsoft, aiding Apple's early development of MacTCP and Microsoft’s initial implementation of Winsock-compatible networking for Windows. These partnerships significantly contributed to broader TCP/IP adoption prior to Apple and Microsoft embedding native Internet protocol support within their operating systems.
In addition, UB offered a broadband Ethernet technology known as 10BROAD36 during the mid-1980s, although it encountered deployment difficulties. The firm was also among the pioneers in delivering Ethernet over twisted pair wiring with its AccessOne product line, which first accommodated pre-standard StarLAN and subsequently adopted the official 10BASE-T specification.
After going public in 1983, UB was acquired by Tandem Computers in 1988. Tandem later divested UB to Newbridge Networks in 1997, which then reduced UB’s Santa Clara presence. Eventually, Newbridge itself was incorporated into the French telecommunications corporation Alcatel-Lucent.