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You can configure the CSX7000 in two ways, depending on your goals. Both methods are terminal based--the static management application on the CSX7000 lets you configure the remote-access server and the hardware on the Cubix box. Once you've made the appropriate changes with the static console, you must reboot the box. For other management and configuration tasks, you can use an interactive manager that makes changes to the server on the fly.

Cabletron's static editor is menu-driven, and configurations can take you several layers deep. For example, while configuring users on the CSX7000, we found that it takes no less than four separate menu choices. Adding users to the system quickly became monotonous. The interactive configuration utility is command-line-driven, with menus appearing as commands are entered. The interactive systems are fairly easy to navigate and can be accessed via a telnet session for remote management.

Because the CSX7000 is built atop Cubix hardware, installation of additional hardware is an exercise in patience. We found that it is quite easy to misconfigure the physical resources of the device--to the point that it won't communicate or provide any indication of the error.

Mult i-Tech Systems CommPlete Communications Server
The CommPlete Communications Server was a disappointment because of random hardware problems and a lack of a common management system. CommPlete's performance was average, but its management GUI, the Multi Modem Manager, offered little value other than occasionally showing modem status.

Inside the chassis are four independent DOS-based computers running RASExpress remote-access server and its associated modem hardware. The modem modules are connected to a common backplane and can attach to your network through a central shared hub. We experienced several hardware-related problems, such as fatal errors, when attempting to configure the 13th modem connection. In addition, during our throughput tests, the server stalled when trying to find its devices. Multi-Tech is aware of these boot failures and says they stem from a modem problem; the modem card fails to load and the RASExpress dies on the next modem card load. Multi-Tech says it thought this issue was fixed. However, we received two modem cards that suffered from this problem.

Configuring and managing the CommPlete Communications Server is a chore because of a lack of a common management scheme. Every module is isolated; to initiate change you must attach to servers individually, either through the console port or via telnet. After all the time and energy spent configuring the server, the CommPlete Communications Server yielded average performance.

Advanced Computer Communications Tigris Integrated Access Platform
"Not ready for prime time" is the phrase that best describes this remote-access server. Lacking in management, acceptable throughput and stability, Advanced Computer Communications (ACC)'s Tigris fell to the bottom of this roundup.