20 Jul 07 – The FarSync M1P has changed!
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7 Mar 07 – FarSync Flex - a USB Synchronous adapter and a X.25 version
26 Feb 07 – FarSync products for Vista
23 Feb 07 – FarSite today announced it has attained Microsoft Gold Certified Partner status
23 Jan 07 – X.25 Protocol Guide
18 Sep 06 – RoHS (lead free) Compliant products from FarSite
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6 Aug 06 – New NDIS (LAN) Driver released for the FarSync WAN products
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31 Jul 06 – New Windows and Linux Drivers released for the FarSync OEM products
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17 Jul 06 – New release of the FarSync X.25 Driver for Windows
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28 Mar 06 – The FarSync WAN TE1 adapter now supports T1 as well as E1 on Linux
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7 Mar 06 – New range of general purpose resilient TCP to X.25 Gateway appliances
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6 Mar 06 – FarSite release a completely revised and updated version of the FarSync TCP-X25 Gateway
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28 Feb 06 – FarSite's FarSync WAN TE1 card now supports T1 as well as E1 connections on Windows
10 Nov 08: PCI Express 2 port synchronous card, the FarSync T2Ue
7 Nov 08: Version 6.0 of the FarSync adapter test software available
11 Sep 08: FarSync WAN and FarSync OEM product ranges merged into one new product range
11 Jul 08: New release of FarSync X.25 for Linux with XOT and many other features
21 Apr 08: New multi function X.25 Gateway range launched to help users migrate from X.25 to TCP/IP
30 Jan 08: PCI Express 4 port synchronous card the FarSync T4Ue and FarSync X25 T4Ue
21 Aug 07: Update on status of FarSync products operation on Vista
FarSite Communications – Archived News
PCI Express 2 port synchronous card the FarSync T2Ue - 10 Nov 08
FarSite have launched a 2 port synchronous PCI Express card for PCs and Servers.
The 2 port card adds to FarSite's PCI Express adapter range.
The FarSync T2Ue (product code: FS4250) is supplied with support to interoperate with the Windows and Linux TCP/IP stack and also an API. A Developers Toolkit, the FarSync SDK (product code: FS9610) can be used to develop the application to use the API. The product is application level compatible with the FarSync T2U, applications developed for use with the T2U will work with the T2Ue. The full range of cables available for the T2U can also be used with the T2Ue.
See the full details on the FarSync T2Ue page
Contact us for further details.
Version 6.0 of the FarSync adapter test software available - 7 Nov 08
An updated set of test software for the FarSync range of adapters is now available for download.
New Features of Adapter Test Software version 6.0
- Runs on 32 Bit DOS making it compatible with a much wider range of PCs.
- Bootable ISO image for a CDROM available. Now you can use the ISO Image to create your own Bootable test CD making it a snip to quickly test the cards.
- The 6.0 software tests a wider range of features supported by some of the FarSync adapter hardware.
FarSync WAN and FarSync OEM product ranges merged - 11 Sep 08
FarSite have merged the FarSync WAN and FarSync OEM PCI and PCMCIA products into a single product range supporting the features from both product ranges.
The FarSync WAN products which allowed the FarSync Synchronous card products to operate with TCP/IP have been merged with the FarSync OEM products to create a single product range with an API into the card for developers as well supporting operation under TCP/IP. The adapters can be configured to operate with TCP/IP or use the API. By providing both types of functionality in one product this simplifies for our customers the decision on which product to purchase.
The FarSync T4E now includes support for TCP/IP, this was not available before.
The Developers Toolkit has been split out into a separate purchasable FarSync SDK with support for all the FarSync adapters in the one SDK. One SDK is required for each engineer developing software for the FarSync adapter range. As part of the FarSync SDK package FarSite is providing great technical support to customers using the APIs from it's UK and Chinese offices.
See the Old to New product translation list below:
| Old product name | Old product code | New product name | New product code |
|---|---|---|---|
| FarSync WAN T1U | FS8141 | FarSync T1U | FS4140 |
| FarSync WAN T2U | FS8241 | FarSync T2U | FS4240 |
| FarSync WAN T4U | FS8441 | FarSync T4U | FS4440 |
| FarSync WAN TE1 | FS8150 | FarSync TE1 | FS4150 |
| FarSync WAN M1P v2 | FS8133 | FarSync M1P v2 | FS4133 |
| FarSync OEM T1U | FS5140 | FarSync T1U | FS4140 |
| FarSync OEM T2U | FS5240 | FarSync T2U | FS4240 |
| FarSync OEM T4U | FS5440 | FarSync T4U | FS4440 |
| FarSync OEM T4U+Async | FS5441 | FarSync T4U+Async | FS4441 |
| FarSync OEM T4E | FS5444 | FarSync T4E | FS4444 |
| FarSync OEM TE1 | FS5150 | FarSync TE1 | FS4150 |
| FarSync OEM M1P v2 | FS5133 | FarSync M1P v2 | FS4133 |
| FarSync Flex SDK | FS9507 | FarSync SDK | FS9610 |
This brings the above products inline with the FarSync Flex and FarSync T4Ue products which were already combined in this way. The new products are being shipped from the 12th September.
New release of FarSync X.25 for Linux - 11 Jul 08
FarSite have released a new version of the FarSync X25 software for Linux.
The X.25 is now configurable by a GUI, supports 254 connections on each port (previously 254 for each card) and runs faster at higher line speeds. There is an option to support XOT (X.25 over TCP/IP) at the same time as the X.25.
Other new features are: OOB data for D Bit, Interrupts and Resets.
The software is supported on the FarSync Flex USB adapter, 1, 2 and 4 port FarSync Universal PCI cards and also the 4 port T4Ue PCI Express card.
For full details of the FarSync X.25 product range. Download the FarSync X.25 Linux software
New multi function X.25 Gateway range to help users migrate from X.25 to TCP/IP - 21 April 08
FarSite have launched a new range of X.25 Gateway's supporting more functions, more features, easier manageability and all at a lower cost.
The Gateway provides a one stop shop for companies wishing to migrate from X.25 to TCP/IP.
The FarLinX X25 Gateway range consists of 4 gateways supporting from 1 to 8 X.25 lines. All the Gateway's support XOT (X.25 over TCP/IP), TCP/IP to X.25 data conversion and routing and an option to add support for POS protocols.
The Gateway is browser managed with, call and event logging, comprehensive operational statistics, SNMP alerts and resilient dual gateway operation.
The XOT support is new feature and allows users to operate X.25 SVCs and PVCs over TCP/IP. The XOT performance is particularly fast compared with other XOT offerings, allowing large number of connections to be established and cleared quickly. Using the FarLinX X.25 Gateway complete X.25 networks can be replaced by the FarLinX with WAN links running TCP/IP. The Gateway can operate as an 8 line X.25 switch plus XOT.
The Gateway provides connection establishment and data packetization services for general protocols to allow applications sending data over TCP/IP to interface to X.25 connected hosts and also routing facilities to select the appropriate Host from those available and maintains X.25 sessions to the Host as required.
For full details see FarLinX X.25 Gateway.
PCI Express 4 port synchronous cards the FarSync T4Ue and FarSync X25 T4Ue - 30 January 08
FarSite can now supply synchronous PCI express (PCIe) cards for PCs and Servers.
The first products available in the FarSite's new PCIe range are the RoHS compliant FarSync T4Ue and the FarSync X25 T4Ue.
The FarSync T4Ue (product code: FS4450) is supplied with support to interoperate with the Windows and Linux TCP/IP stack and also an API. A Developers Toolkit, the FarSync SDK (product code: FS9610) can be used to develop the application to use the API. The product is application level compatible with the FarSync OEM T4U, applications developed for use with the T4U will work with the T4Ue. The full range of cables available for the T4U can also be used with the T4Ue.
For customers requiring X.25 the FarSync X25 T4Ue (product code: FS6450) is available, this includes the API and the X.25 Developers Toolkit. The product is application level compatible with the FarSync X25 T4U, applications developed for use with the X25 T4U will work with the X25 T4Ue. The full range of cables available for the X25 T4U can also be used with the X25 T4Ue.
The FarSync T4Ue (see the full details on the FarSync T4Ue page) and FarSync X25 T4Ue, the products are in stock and available now.
Contact us for further details.
Update on status of FarSync products operation on Vista - 21 August 07
The majority of the currently released FarSync products will work on 32 bit versions of the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. Please contact us if you require details on any specific product and we will be pleased to advise you.
We can supply some easy to follow guidance notes for use when installing on Vista, see the Support page for guides available from the web site.
Development is well advanced on new releases of software compatible with the both the 64 bit and 32 bit versions of Windows Vista. If you require 64 bit support then contact us, some beta releases are now available.
The FarSync M1P PCMCIA card has changed – 20 July 2007
The FarSync M1P PCMCIA card has changed. Due to the unavailability of certain connector parts, a modified version of the product has now been released. The new FarSync M1P v2 is 100% software compatible with the older version. The only difference is the construction of the connector to the network cable. This has therefore also required a new range of cables for the M1P v2 card. These are electrically the same as the older cables, but with a different connector to the M1P card itself. FarSite still have a supply of the older cables for existing customers, see the table below for full details of the replacement products and the status of previous versions of products where applicable.
| Old Product Name | Old Product Code | Available | New Product Name | New Product Code | Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FarSync OEM M1P | FS5130 | No | FarSync OEM M1P v2 | FS5133 | Yes |
| FarSync X25 M1P | FS6130 | No | FarSync X25 M1P v2 | FS6133 | Yes |
| FarSync WAN M1P | FS8131 | No | FarSync WAN M1P v2 | FS8133 | Yes |
| PCR1 | FS6081 | Yes | QCR1 | FS6085 | Yes |
| PCX1 | FS6082 | Yes | QCX1 | FS6086 | Yes |
| PCV1 | FS6083 | Yes | QCV1 | FS6087 | Yes |
| P530 | FS6084 | Yes | Q530 | FS6088 | Yes |
Customers ordering the older M1P cards using the older product codes will be informed that the replacement products will be supplied instead. Where cables and cards are ordered matching sets of cables and cards will be supplied.
Contact us for further information.
FarSite announce the FarSync Flex, the worlds first USB Synchronous adapter – 7 March 2007
FarSite have developed a USB connected synchronous serial adapter supporting X.21, RS530, V.35, RS449 and RS232C network interfaces operating at serial line speeds up to 2 Mbits/s. The device is believed to be the only USB Synchronous Serial line adapter available. No external power supply is required as the device is powered from the USB connection. USB 2.0 and older USB 1.1 host interfaces are supported.
There are 2 versions of the Flex product, the FarSync Flex and the FarSync Flex X25.
FarSync Flex - Key Features: X.21, RS530, V.35, RS449 and RS232C network interfaces, drivers for Linux and Windows, NDIS and SDCI Windows API, Raw sockets Linux API, TCP/IP over PPP, USB line powered, Toolkit available for using the API, Line signal modes: NRZ, NRZI, FM0 and FM1, Selectable synchronous or asynchronous, 2 Mbits/s, internal and external clocking, USB 2.0 and 1.1.
FarSync Flex X25 - Key Features: All the features of the FarSync Flex plus: X.25 and ISO transport protocol handlers for Windows and Linux, IP over X.25, X.25 Developers Toolkit. Sockets and Java API to the protocol handlers. Full Details.
Orders are being taken now, the first units will be shipped in April 07, contact us for further information.
Status of FarSync products operation on Vista – 26 February 07
Many of the currently released FarSync products will work on 32 bit versions of the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. Please contact us if you require details on any specific product and we will be pleased to advise you. We can supply some additional guidance notes for use when installing.
FarSite is developing new releases of software compatible with the both the 64 bit and 32 bit versions of Windows Vista. If you require 64 bit support then contact us, as a beta release may already be available.
FarSite today announced it has attained Microsoft Gold Certified Partner status – 23 February 07
FarSite is proud to announce that it has achieved Microsoft Gold Certified Partner status, the top tier in the Microsoft Partner Program. FarSite has additionally achieved the OEM Hardware Solution competency in the Microsoft Certified Partner Program, under the device manufacturing specialisation.
The Microsoft Partner Program represents Microsoft's ongoing commitment to the success of its partners worldwide. The program offers a single, integrated partnering framework that recognises partner expertise and rewards the total impact that partners have in the technology marketplace.
The OEM Hardware Solutions Competency is intended for partners that that design and manufacture hardware devices used as computer parts, peripherals or accessories. Partners that attain the OEM Hardware Solutions Competency are recognised for their expertise in delivering high-quality hardware solutions and are provided with information and tools needed to expand their market opportunities and maintain a competitive advantage in the industry.
Microsoft Quote: "Partners that acquire the OEM Hardware Solutions Competency have demonstrated expertise and have a track record of building high-quality hardware solutions that are designed and configured with the Microsoft technologies according to customer needs and supported to ensure customer satisfaction," said Kurt Kolb, vice president of Worldwide System Builder Channel and License Compliance at Microsoft. "These partners are able to closely engage with Microsoft and have access to specialized resources to help them meet and even surpass customer expectations."
FarSite Quote: "We are extremely pleased to have attained Microsoft Gold Certification and the OEM Hardware Solutions competency" said Steve Scott, Director at FarSite Communications in the UK and China. "As customers expand and upgrade their information technology assets, there is a demand for high-quality hardware solutions, optimised to run under a Microsoft environment. FarSite will continue enhancing our hardware products for use on the Microsoft platform including supporting Microsoft Windows Vista in 32 bit and 64 bit modes, allowing our customers to expand their market opportunities and maintain a competitive advantage in their industry."
X.25 Protocol Guide – 23 January 07
Now available on this web site is an X.25 Guide describing the X.25 Protocol and how it compares with the TCP/IP protocol and PSTN networks.
The guide is intended for Developers and Network Managers who are not very familiar with X.25 to quickly learn about the protocol. It should prove a very useful reference resource on the X.25 the protocol and how it is used in today's networks.
The guide covers the X.25 protocol, types and structure of packets , LAPB, types and structure of frames, the physical layer and using the Sockets API to interface to X.25.
RoHS (lead free) Compliant products from FarSite – 18 September 06
FarSite is switching over production to RoHS (lead free) compliance for many of its current products. The following products are planned to be manufactured to RoHS standards:
- FarSync X25 T1U, FarSync X25 T2U, FarSync X25 T4U,
- FarSync OEM T1U, FarSync OEM T2U, FarSync OEM T4U, FarSync OEM T4E, FarSync OEM TE1,
- FarSync DSL-S1, FarSync WAN T1U, FarSync WAN T2U, FarSync WAN T4U, FarSync WAN TE1,
- FarLinX TCP-X25 GP Gateway-1, FarLinX TCP-X25 GP Gateway-2, FarLinX TCP-X25 GP Gateway-4,
- FarLinX TCP-X25 POS Gateway-10, FarLinX TCP-X25 POS Gateway-20, FarLinX TCP-X25 POS Gateway-MAX,
- FarLinX TCP-X25 SMS Router. FarLinX 4 port Expansion card.
Stocks of many of the above products are already available in RoHS form, contact us if you need RoHS compliant product for your requirement. The part numbers for RoHS complaint version will be the same where the product functionality is identical, the switch over will be seamless for most customers.
The following products are not expected to be made to RoHS standards. This is due to the unavailability of certain components used to manufacture the cards in RoHS compliant from.
- FarSync X25 T2P, FarSync X25 T4P, FarSync X25 M1P, FarSync X25 T1P, X.PORT PC2,
- FarSync WAN T2P, FarSync WAN T4P, FarSync WAN M1P,
- FarSync OEM T2P, FarSync OEM T4P, FarSync OEM M1P.
New NDIS (LAN) Driver released for the FarSync WAN products – 6 August 06
The New NDIS (LAN) interface version 4.0.0 supports the FarSync WAN T1U, T2U, T4U, M1P and TE1 cards.
Using the NDIS LAN driver the cards install easily as a plug and play device under Windows 2000, XP or Server 2003 on both single and multiprocessor systems. The interface to the cards is presented as an NDIS (LAN) driver with TCP/IP running over PPP with optional authentication by CHAP or PAP (RFC 1334). Up to 12 adapters can be installed.
The NDIS (LAN) Drivers replace the NDIS WAN Drivers which were previously supplied with the product. These older drivers required the use of Microsoft's RAS or RRAS which were complex to configure.
The NDIS FarSync WAN drivers have been validated by Microsoft as 'Designed for Windows XP'.
Download the FarSync WAN Driver for Windows
Note: Windows NT and the FarSync WAN T2P and T4P are not supported by version 4.0.0 of the FarSync WAN for Windows driver.
New Windows and Linux Drivers released for the FarSync OEM products – 31 July 06
Linux OEM Driver
The new Linux driver version 1.6.3 supports the Raw Sockets API for the FarSync OEM T1U, T2U, T4U, T4E, TE1, T2P and T4P cards
New features of the driver include:
- Partial T4E special feature set support including a huge range of extra internal clock rates generated by the onboard synthesizers; reporting of measured external clock rate and RS530/449 interface type support.
- Support for T1 added on the TE1 card.
- MSB/LSB transmit/receive configuration provided.
Fixes:
- Transmitter underrun in transparent mode problems resolved.
- Spurious buffer completions on all-port open resolved.
Download FarSync OEM Driver
Windows OEM Driver
The new Windows driver version 4.2.2 supports the SDCI API for the FarSync OEM T1U, T2U, T4U, T4E, M1P, TE1, T2P and T4P cards
New features of the driver include:
- The TE1 running in unframed transparent data mode now supported for E1 and T1 operation - this requires hardware revision 0.2 or newer (earlier versions can be updated if required, please contact FarSite for details).
- E1-T1-E1 switching no longer requires a driver restart on TE1.
- Carrier indication added to M1P (DCD for V.24, CTS for X.21).
Fixes:
- LED identify mode now operates correctly on TE1.
- A problem related to interrupt chaining on M1P, which could prevent a downstream device from being serviced, has been fixed.
- The onboard counter/timer is now enabled by default for control signal polling on M1P.
- Handling of receiver overflow in transparent data mode improved.
Download FarSync OEM Driver
New release of the FarSync X.25 Driver for Windows – 17 July 06
The new Windows drivers version 2.0 is now available it supports the FarSync X25 T1U, T2U, T4U and M1P cards
New features of the driver include:
- Sockets API compatible with the industry standard WinSock X.25 API, as defined by the Microsoft WinSock2 protocol-specific Annex for OSI.
- Added PVC Connect option in Sockets API plus Support for Reset requests and Reset notification.
- NUI Subscription support added.
- Increased limits of RR Poll timer.
- Increased NB adapters supported from 4 to 10 (and support for adapter 3 line 3).
- Windows Server 2003 supported.
Fixes:
- Fix driver crash after multiple attempts to activate link on demand.
- Fix driver crash arising from multiple application usage on Multi-processor systems.
- Fix driver crash arising from forced application shutdown.
- Fix driver crash in Transport operation if no adapter 0 line 0 configured.
- Fix to Layer 3 DTE/DCE configuration.
- Fix to IP/X.25 facilities.
- Fix to Sockets Overlapped completion routines.
- Fix to Sockets Overlapped operation in conjunction with M-bit headers.
Note: Windows NT and the FarSync X25 T2P and T4P are not supported by version 2 of the FarSync X.25 for Windows driver
FarSite's FarSync WAN TE1 adapter now supports T1 as well as E1 on Linux – 28 Mar 06
The FarSync WAN TE1 card now supports T1 standards as well as E1 using the drivers supplied for use with Linux
T1 runs with a 193 bit frame. Normally 192 bits are used for user data and 1 bit for framing. So the line rate is 1544kbps, the user rate is 1536kbps and the frame rate is 8KHz.
The driver allows E1, T1 and J1 to be selected. T1 unframed, F4 (aka FT), F12 (aka D3/D4, SF), F24 (aka D5, Fe, ESF) and F72 (aka SLC96) modes are all configurable. Manual long (range) and short (LBO) equalization methods are also selectable.
As is the case with E1, T1 can define the starting timeslot and based on the configured data rate use as many time slots as is required up to the end of the frame.
For further details see the FarSync WAN TE1 T1 / E1 page.
New range of general purpose resilient TCP to X.25 Gateway appliances – 7 Mar 06
The new FarLinX TCP-X25 General Purpose (GP) Gateways provides a reliable means of inter-connecting equipment between TCP/IP and X.25 networks in a compact, rack mountable 1U appliance.
There are 3 models in the range providing scaleable solutions, the entry level FarLinX TCP-X25 GP Gateway-1 features 1 X.25 port and up to 254 connections. The mid range FarLinX TCP-X25 GP Gateway-2 supporting 2 X.25 ports and up to 2048 connections and the top of the range FarLinX TCP-X25 GP Gateway-4 handling 4 X.25 ports and up to 4000 simultaneous virtual connections and 1,000 data packets per second. All the models are remotely configurable.
The Gateway can operate as a general purpose means for connecting a variety of different TCP/IP equipment to X.25 services. Similarly, the Gateway can also inter-connect existing legacy terminals attached to an X.25 network to Host systems with TCP/IP interfaces. An X.25 switch function is also included in the -2 and -4 models.
The product features support for generalised protocols when the X.25 Host system treats the incoming X.25 data as a character stream. It can also convert the data when a header is used to describe the message payload within the TCP connections and remove this header on the X.25 virtual circuits. Data types supported include: RFC1006, Cisco RBP and special character delimiting. Dynamic routing is supported where the Client TCP application determines the X.25 address and call parameters used at the time the connection is established. The Gateway can provide connectivity to several different Host systems at the same time with each can have different data conversion configurations.
The Gateway also supports X.25 Data Switching over TCP, this allows X.25 devices to be interconnected via an IP network without the layer 3 overheads associated with XOT.
Two or more Gateways can be used in a load balanced, resilient configuration that has no single point of failure.
Full details of the new FarLinX TCP-X25 GP Gateway
FarSite release a completely revised and updated version of the general purpose FarSync TCP-X25 GP Gateway software – 6 Mar 06
Version 2.0 of the FarSync TCP-X25 GP Gateway (previously called the FarSync TCP-X25 Gateway) is now shipping. The product has undergone a complete redesign from version 1.0 with a host of new features, these include:
- Simultaneous support for multiple modes of TCP to X.25 data conversion
- new data conversion modes including: RFC1006, Cisco RBP, special character delimiting, X.25 data switching over TCP, customisable data header definition and parity conversion
- Configuration GUI
- Resilience by using multiple Gateways with shared IP address support
- Multi level logging
As well as the new features, compatibility has been maintained with the conversion modes supported in the previous release including the very popular DRPD mode that allows dynamic call routing and allows the application close control of the x.25 call.
Full details of the new FarSync TCP-X25 GP Gateway
FarSite's FarSync WAN TE1 card now supports T1 on Windows – 28 Feb 06
The FarSync WAN TE1 product now supports T1 standards as well as E1 using the drivers supplied for use with Windows 2000, XP and Server 2003.
T1 runs with a 193 bit frame. Normally 192 bits are used for user data and 1 bit for framing. So the line rate is 1544kbps, the user rate is 1536kbps and the frame rate is 8KHz.
The Windows config GUI allows E1, T1 and J1 to be selected. T1 unframed, F4 (aka FT), F12 (aka D3/D4, SF), F24 (aka D5, Fe, ESF) and F72 (aka SLC96) modes are all configurable. Manual long (range) and short (LBO) equalization methods are also selectable.
As is the case with E1, T1 can define the starting timeslot and based on the configured data rate use as many time slots as is required up to the end of the frame.
The Drivers for Linux will be updated to support T1 in the near future.
Contact us for further information.
02-Feb-2012



