content: <PAGE>
   
                                  ---------------
  
  
                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  
                               WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
  
  
  
                                      FORM 8-K
  
                                   CURRENT REPORT
                          PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                       OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  
  
       DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED):  SEPTEMBER 20, 1998
  
  
                                  ---------------
  
  
                            ASCEND COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
              (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  
  
             DELAWARE                    0-23774                  94-3092033
  (State or other jurisdiction of      (Commission             (I.R.S. Employer)
   incorporation or organization)      File Number)           Identification No.)
  
  
  
          ONE ASCEND PLAZA
       1701 HARBOR BAY PARKWAY        
          ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA                                        94502
  (Address of principal executive offices)                         (Zip Code)
  
  
  
  Registrant's telephone number, including area code:         (510) 769-6001
  
  
                                  Not applicable.
                                  ---------------
           (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
  <PAGE>
   
  Item 5.  Other Events
  
           Ascend Communications, Inc. ("Ascend") announced it has received
           clearance from both US and foreign antitrust regulators for its
           proposed merger with Stratus Computer, Inc. ("Stratus"). On August 3,
           1998, Ascend announced a definitive merger agreement under which it
           will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Stratus in a tax-free
           stock-for-stock exchange. Ascend has received clearance for the
           acquisition from antitrust regulators in Ireland, Sweden and Germany.
           This follows the expiration on September 20, 1998 of the waiting period
           under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (HSR
           Act), applicable to the acquisition, during which neither the Federal
           Trade Commission (FTC) nor the Antitrust Division of the US Department
           of Justice (DOJ) had requested additional information in connection
           with the proposed merger.
  
           The expiration of the HSR Act waiting period and the necessary foreign
           approvals were a precondition under the previously announced merger
           agreement between Ascend and Stratus. This agreement is being submitted
           to the shareholders of Stratus for their approval at a special meeting
           scheduled to be held on October 19, 1998. The companies expect to
           complete the transaction on October 19, 1998, subject to shareholder
           approval and the satisfaction of other customary conditions.
  
  
  Item 7.  Exhibits.
  
           (a) Financial statements of business acquired.
  
               Not Applicable.
  
  
           (b) Pro forma financial information.
  
               Not Applicable.
  
  
           (c) Exhibits.
  
               None.
  
  ______________
  
                                         2
  <PAGE>
   
                                     SIGNATURES
                                          
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
  amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
  by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  
                                      ASCEND COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
  
  
  
  Date:  October 14, 1998             By: /s/ MICHAEL F.G. ASHBY
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Michael F.G. Ashby
                                         Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
                                         Officer and Secretary
                                         (Principal Financial and Accounting
                                         Officer)
  
                                         3
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text: ---------------
  
                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  
                               WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
  
                                      FORM 8-K
  
                                   CURRENT REPORT
                          PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                       OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  
       DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED):  SEPTEMBER 20, 1998
  
                                  ---------------
  
                            ASCEND COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
              (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  
             DELAWARE                    0-23774                  94-3092033
  (State or other jurisdiction of      (Commission             (I.R.S. Employer)
   incorporation or organization)      File Number)           Identification No.)
  
          ONE ASCEND PLAZA
       1701 HARBOR BAY PARKWAY        
          ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA                                        94502
  (Address of principal executive offices)                         (Zip Code)
  
  Registrant's telephone number, including area code:         (510) 769-6001
  
                                  Not applicable.
                                  ---------------
           (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
  Item 5.  Other Events
  
           Ascend Communications, Inc. ("Ascend") announced it has received
           clearance from both US and foreign antitrust regulators for its
           proposed merger with Stratus Computer, Inc. ("Stratus"). On August 3,
           1998, Ascend announced a definitive merger agreement under which it
           will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Stratus in a tax-free
           stock-for-stock exchange. Ascend has received clearance for the
           acquisition from antitrust regulators in Ireland, Sweden and Germany.
           This follows the expiration on September 20, 1998 of the waiting period
           under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (HSR
           Act), applicable to the acquisition, during which neither the Federal
           Trade Commission (FTC) nor the Antitrust Division of the US Department
           of Justice (DOJ) had requested additional information in connection
           with the proposed merger.
  
           The expiration of the HSR Act waiting period and the necessary foreign
           approvals were a precondition under the previously announced merger
           agreement between Ascend and Stratus. This agreement is being submitted
           to the shareholders of Stratus for their approval at a special meeting
           scheduled to be held on October 19, 1998. The companies expect to
           complete the transaction on October 19, 1998, subject to shareholder
           approval and the satisfaction of other customary conditions.
  
  Item 7.  Exhibits.
  
           (a) Financial statements of business acquired.
  
               Not Applicable.
  
           (b) Pro forma financial information.
  
               Not Applicable.
  
           (c) Exhibits.
  
               None.
  
  ______________
  
                                         2
  SIGNATURES
                                          
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
  amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
  by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  
                                      ASCEND COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
  
  Date:  October 14, 1998             By: /s/ MICHAEL F.G. ASHBY
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Michael F.G. Ashby
                                         Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
                                         Officer and Secretary
                                         (Principal Financial and Accounting
                                         Officer)
  
                                         3