Abstract

Madge Networks commissioned The Tolly Group to certify the Madge Networks SmartCAU Plus 155-272-04A v. 2.02 as compatible with IBM's LAN Network Manager (LNM) protocol.

This Tolly Group certification report documents the successful IBM LAN Network Manager (LNM) Controlled Access Unit certification of the Madge Networks SmartCAU Plus, model 155-272-04A, version 2.02. Published in October 1994, the evaluation verified interoperability with IBM’s LNM version 1.1 and confirmed that the SmartCAU Plus met the requirements for management compatibility within IBM token-ring environments. The product passed testing and was awarded official LNM certification on June 24, 1994. 

The report explains that the certification program was designed to validate both compatibility and operational behavior within IBM’s proprietary CAU management architecture. Testing focused on whether the Madge device could properly respond to LNM commands, present accurate graphical and profile information, and support the management functions expected of a standards-compliant controlled access unit. The evaluation covered both local and remote management behavior where applicable. On page 2, the test matrix outlines core management functions including CAU detection, reset, graphical display, CAU and LAM profile reporting, wrap-state modification, LAM enable and disable operations, port enable and disable actions, microcode update, CAU registration and deregistration, and adapter removal controls. 

Additional tests shown on page 3 extended the certification to access-control and fault-management scenarios. These included disabling unauthorized or moved adapters, verifying wrap-status reporting for RI, RO, RI/RO, and normal states, performing RI/RO wrap recovery testing, and isolating beaconing faults. The methodology used an LNM workstation, a test station, an IBM 8228 MAU for Ring In/Ring Out functions, and a Network General sniffer to capture frame activity and compare SmartCAU Plus behavior against an IBM 8230 reference CAU. The page 4 diagram illustrates this test bed. 

Overall, the certification establishes that the Madge SmartCAU Plus delivered the management interoperability, control functions, and fault-handling behavior required for integration into IBM token-ring network management environments.