The Benchmark LAN-T - LAN Trainer - is a versatile laboratory system that supplements courses on computer networks and LANs. Developed by Benchmark Electronic Systems in collaboration with IIT-Madras, the LAN-T exposes users to networking concepts at the physical, MAC, network and transport layers through a carefully designed series of experiments.
Benchmark LAN-T

The LAN-T is a hardware and software based product. Emulation of nodes, topologies, etc., are implemented in a combination of hardware, firmware and software to emulate a real network environment. All the network layers can be implemented in the software. This arrangement gives more freedom to to try out various protocols and layers, in the network, and study their behaviour.

The Benchmark LAN-T is ideal as:
* A single trainer solution for training in various types of networks
* An instrument for structuring training courses in networking
* For facilitating development projects in networks

The LAN-T is particularly suited for:
* Students at B.Tech/B.S. & M.S. levels in engineering/technical institutes (CS & EE)
* Technical training centres in network organisations
* R&D personnel and practicing engineers in research labs and industry

The LAN-T delivers:
* In-depth exposure to networking concepts
* Experimentation through programming in several protocols and network layers

The Benchmark LAN-T has been designed so that its experiments reinforce the theory covered in lectures, while hands-on programming exercises train users to fit into networking positions in industry. Moreover, the Trainer can also be used for projects involving many layers of networking hierarchy. In short, the Benchmark LAN-T's versatility, expandability and cost-effectiveness makes it the perfect solution for all LAN trainer needs. The following will help to illustrate the reasons why...

Wide functionality at a low cost
With just a minimal investment in a single trainer and 2-3 PCs, users can obtain hands-on experience with a wide variety of different network topologies and protocols, including all the popular ones such as CSMA/CD (Ethernet) and token passing (Arcnet, Token Ring).

The trainer features include:

• User configurable data rates
• Generation of bit errors and frame errors between nodes
• Variable network size
• User configurable delays between nodes
• ALOHA, CSMA, CSMA/CD, Token Bus, Token Ring, Star, Stop-and-Wait and various window protocols for reliable data transfer

Scalable and configurable
The Benchmark LAN-T's NEU emulates 6 nodes, which can be configured to Bus, Star or Ring topologies. It also has error generators and delay generators between nodes. Each NIU card emulates 2 independent nodes supporting various MAC layers, on a single PC. The system scales up to emulate larger networks by adding on more NEUs, NIUs and PCs.

The Benchmark LAN-T LAN Trainer consists of a Network Emulator Unit (NEU) with PC plug-in Network Interface Units (NIU) and Windows 98SE and/or Windows 2000 based experiment software. The software contains a series of experiments in the form of stand-alone applications, 'C' source code for the experiments, and a 'C' library to access the NIU. The source code provides better understanding of the experiments, while the library allows users to program new experiments, modify existing experiments, and try out various network layers and protocols.

In short, the Benchmark LAN-T's versatility, expandability and cost-effectiveness makes it the perfect solution for all LAN trainer needs.