Summary form only given, as follows. The author presented Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's motivation for pursuing the development of a LAN (local area network) with the capability of providing gigabit/second channels to individual offices. This includes high-speed file transfer, distributed computing, and vision-limited scientific visualization. Architectural tradeoffs between shared media and space division circuit switching were considered. The results of efforts to work with industry to develop a prototype gigabit/second fiber channel based circuit switching LAN were presented. Finally, an assessment of the future of the present gigabit/second standards activities was made and the possibilities and challenges of wavelength division multiplexing were examined.>

The author discusses the recent phone system upgrade at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. It is noted that it makes economic sense to completely rewire the site with a modern nodal distribution system. Each office is being wired so that it can have its own twisted pair Ethernet connection. 62.5- mu m multiple fibers are being installed also, from the building distribution frame (or wiring closets) to individual offices.>