LattisNet

LattisNet was a family of computer networking hardware and software products built and sold by SynOptics (also rebranded by Western Digital) during the 80-90s. Examples are the 1000, 2500 and 3000 series of "LattisHub" Ethernet concentrators/hubs.

Ethernet variant

Before the final, standard version of what is known today as the 10Base-T protocol, there were many different methods and standards for running Ethernet over twisted-pair cabling at 10 Mbit/s. Many companies designed products based on their own specifications; usually these products were not compatible with those of other families, or the final 10Base-T protocol. LattisNet is the name applied to SynOptics' Ethernet variant, which is similar to the final 10Base-T protocol except that it has slightly different voltage and signal characteristics [http://groups.google.ca/groups?selm=-hRjrAMLBh107h%40wacss.anixter.com] . It is now well defunct due to the ubiquity, compatibility and low price of standard Ethernet.

Ethernet compatibility

LattisNet and Ethernet, by their standards, are not designed to be plug-in compatible; though there have been some cases, mostly due to very liberal equipment and excellent cabling conditions, of equipment of one type functioning after being simply plugged into that of the other, this is unlikely and not guaranteed to be reliable. The easiest way to interconnect these systems is by attaching the correct transceiver to the AUI port of the equipment that is to be connected; for example, to connect a PC or hub with an AUI port to a standard 10Base-T Network, attach a 10Base-T transceiver; to connect it to a LattisNet network attach a LattisNet transceiver. Another option is to use one of the SynOptics hubs that can take modules to interface to both types of networks.

Note that, of the SynOptics hubs, the 2500 series was only compatible with LattisNet twisted-pair Ethernet; the 1000 and 3000 series could take both, and concurrently, modules for LattisNet and standard 10Base-T. In the 1000 series, the 505 modules are LattisNet and the 508 modules are 10base-T. A method to identify the type of 3000-series modules is noted here: [http://groups.google.ca/groups?selm=1991Feb6.202058.3700%40amd.com] .

The 3com Etherlink II TP card, a very old 8-bit ISA card, is switchable between the Lattisnet, 10BaseT and AT&T StarLAN twisted-pair Ethernet standards; it is the only device known to be able to do this.

Trivia

*"Lattis" or "Lættis" is a Norwegian youth vernacular term meaning "hilarity" or "laughing". For this reason, the hubs are considered collector's items by some Norwegians.

References

Ethernet / 10Base-T / LattisNet usenet discussions:
* [http://groups.google.ca/groups?threadm=1991Feb6.202058.3700%40amd.com]
* [http://groups.google.ca/groups?threadm=1993Feb23.074843.1656%40grebyn.com]
* [http://groups.google.ca/groups?threadm=THOMASG.1580.730404622%40epx.cis.umn.edu]
* [http://groups.google.ca/groups?threadm=38i96g%24mrd%40huxley.anu.edu.au]