Steve, The Series56 modules have significant architectural differences from earlier generation cards. It is not nearly as simple as analog vs. digital. The addition of a packet processing engine (another DSP), SRAM (to buffer I/O), and high clock-speed chips all contribute to the outstanding performance of these new cards. These changes serve to offload processing from the MAX CPU and add muscle to an already dependable platform. But of course, performance comes with a price; more power (and heat). Ascend's current upgrade plan makes it very easy to greatly extend the technical longevity of your infrastructure. And, while there are some density limitations, it is still a very worthwhile move. Regards, //mike Michael Baccala, Sr. Product Manager TNT / Core Products Division Ascend Communications, Inc. 800.800.7759 24 hour pager 510.747.2688 Direct Dial mike@ascend.com ++ Ascend Users Mailing List ++ To unsubscribe: send unsubscribe to ascend-users-request@bungi.com To get FAQ'd: <<A HREF="http://www.shore.net/~dreaming/ascend-faq">http://www.shore.net/~dreaming/ascend-faq</A>> or <<A HREF="ftp://ftp.shore.net/members/dreaming/ascend-faq.txt">ftp://ftp.shore.net/members/dreaming/ascend-faq.txt</A>> </PRE> <!--X-MsgBody-End--> <!--X-Follow-Ups--> <HR> <STRONG>Follow-Ups</STRONG>: <UL> <LI><STRONG><A HREF="msg05437.html">Re: (ASCEND) 56K - Power drain/heat/powersupply issues</A></STRONG></LI> <UL> <LI><EM>From</EM>: Jason Nealis <nealis@babylon.erols.com></LI> </UL> <LI><STRONG><A HREF="msg05435.html">Re: (ASCEND) 56K - Power drain/heat/powersupply issues</A></STRONG></LI> <UL> <LI><EM>From</EM>: Will Pierce <willp@dreamscape.com></LI> </UL> </UL> <!--X-Follow-Ups-End--> <!--X-References--> <!--X-References-End--> <!--X-BotPNI--> <HR> <UL> <LI>Prev by Date: <STRONG><A HREF="msg05425.html">Re: (ASCEND) P75, 56k/voice suddenly doesn't work</A></STRONG> </LI> <LI>Next by Date: <STRONG><A HREF="msg05422.html">(ASCEND) Pipeline 50 & 75 and frame relay...</A></STRONG> </LI> <LI>Prev by thread: <STRONG><A HREF="msg05415.html">Re: (ASCEND) 56K - Power drain/heat/powersupply issues</A></STRONG> </LI> <LI>Next by thread: <STRONG><A HREF="msg05435.html">Re: (ASCEND) 56K - Power drain/heat/powersupply issues</A></STRONG> </LI> <LI>Index(es): <UL> <LI><A HREF="mail139.html#05424"><STRONG>Main</STRONG></A></LI> <LI><A HREF="thrd23.html#05424"><STRONG>Thread</STRONG></A></LI> </UL> </LI> </UL> <!--X-BotPNI-End--> <!--X-User-Footer--> <!--X-User-Footer-End--> </BODY> </HTML>