Many network switches and routers manufactured before 1997 are not Y2K compliant. The problem lies in the onboard real-time clock and operating system software. Many clocks and operating systems register dates using two digits. Networked applications that rely on time stamping and other scheduled processes can be disrupted if the network devices between clients and servers cannot register the correct date.
Libraries with switches and routers should check the purchase date. If purchased before 1997, the manufacturer should be contacted to determine Y2K compliance. The manufacturer may not have tested many of its older products for '12K conformity. That is the case with Bay Networks, Cabletron, Cisco, Nortel, and 3Com. They consider any product manufactured and sold before January 1, 1997 as obsolete. Some manufacturers will offer a trade-in toward a new product.
Even products manufactured after January 1, 1997 may require software or microcode patches to bring them into compliance. Users need to consult the manufacturers' Web sites to determine which products require such upgrades.
