Elematics Secures $10 Million for Its Multi-Carrier, Multi-Vendor Control Plane

Elematics, a start-up based in Beaverton, Oregon, secured $10 million in Series B financing for its multi-carrier, multi-vendor control plane software. The Elematic's platform is designed to provide a common signaling and control mechanism across multiple vendors' photonic, optical, transport, and legacy network equipment. The new funding will be used to extend the capabilities of the system, as well as for current and future customer trials with Tier 1 and Tier 2 telecommunication carriers. The round was led by Warburg Pincus, Elematics' largest investor, and included contributions from the management team. The total financing raised by the company to date is more than $25 million.
http://www.elematics.com

• In November 2002, Elematics introduced its Intelligent Network Control Plane, which enables real-time control and provisioning of transport services across both on-network resources and off-network resources of multiple carrier networks. When deployed in an existing transport network, the Intelligent Network Control Plane creates a common GMPLS-based control plane that consolidates management, signaling, and provisioning across multiple domains, analyzes and optimizes collective network resources, and presents a common interface to OSS applications, as well as to individual network elements. By providing a common signaling and control mechanism across multiple vendors' new and established transport network equipment, the Elematics' Intelligent Network Control Plane facilitates the discovery and inventory of network elements and services, real-time provisioning, end-to-end connectivity, and unified communication between the complete (optical and electrical) transport network and northbound OSS applications. The platform is compatible with legacy and next generation equipment and integrates with existing management applications. Elematics said its new control plane architecture could help carriers cut their ongoing operational expenses (OPEX) and do more with their existing systems.



• Elematics (formerly QOptics) was founded in late 2000 by Clive Cook, Alex Mashinsky and Jeff Parness.

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FCC Meets this Week to Decide Unbundling Obligations of Incumbent Carriers

The FCC is scheduled to meet on Thursday, 13-February-2003 to decide unbundling obligations of Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (ILECs) and to set an appropriate framework for broadband access to the Internet over wireline facilities. FCC Commissioners are expected to vote on new rules that significantly alter the terms under which ILECs make elements of their networks available on an unbundled basis to their competitors. The Bell companies are urging the FCC to remove switching from the list of required unbundled elements and to transition all competition away from the UNE-P model. Competitive local service providers, especially AT&T, warn that such landmark policy changes would stifle competition.

Also on the FCC agenda for Thursday are possible revisions to current rules regarding Ultra-Wideband transmission systems, and new rules concerning non-discrimination on the basis of disability for FCC programs and activities.

The meeting will be webcast live beginning at 9:30 am EST from the FCC's Audio/Video Events web page.
http://www.fcc.gov/realaudio

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BellSouth - Sprint Case Heads to Arbitration

A judge let stand the temporary restraining order preventing Sprint from hiring Gary Forsee as its new CEO. Forsee is currently vice chairman -- domestic operations of BellSouth. In ruling, the judge agreed with BellSouth that Forsee has highly confidential proprietary and trade secret information. The case is headed to arbitration within the next 30 days.
http://www.bellsouth.com

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Ixia Integrates RadView's WebLOAD for e-Business Stress Testing

Ixia has integrated RadView's WebLOAD software into its traffic and transaction generation platform. The joint solution can be used to validate the behavior of high performing e-business applications in a realistic network environment.
http://www.ixiacom.com

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Agilent Debuts Network Troubleshooting Center Console

Agilent Technologies introduced a Network Troubleshooting Center (NTC) console designed to consolidate real-time, test data across all major applications (voice, mobile, and data) for all critical LAN and WAN technologies. Agilent's NTC provides a combination of tactical information, with expert-level, at-a-glance checks of the entire WAN/LAN for remote troubleshooting of data, voice and mobile problems. The consolidated data console would make it possible to correlate network health and troubleshooting information from multiple network analyzer and legacy network elements. It would also make it possible to troubleshoot from the application level to the protocol level over any LAN/WAN interface. Agilent's NTC is being used by Deutsche Telekom's IP Network Customer Care Center.
http://www.agilent.com/comms/networktroubleshootingcenter

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Internet Photonics and Aurora Partner on MSO Network Upgrades

Internet Photonics will resell Aurora Networks' complete line of transmission systems designed for advanced HFC, fiber deep and FTTH networks. Likewise, Aurora has been given rights to sell Internet Photonics family of Optical Ethernet and DWDM transport products. Internet Photonics, a start-up based in Shrewsbury, New Jersey and Marlborough, Massachusetts, offers an optical Ethernet transport architecture, as well as video multiplexing and conversion gateways for supporting Video On Demand (VOD) and High-Definition Television (HDTV) over an optical Ethernet transport network. Aurora Networks, a start-up based in Santa Clara, California, offers an optical transport platform optimized for the deployment of passive hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) networks.
http://www.internetphotonics.com
http://www.aurora.com

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Clarinet Offers Infrared-to-WLAN Switch for PDAs

Clarinet Systems introduced a switch that enables PDA users to uplink data from a Palm Handheld or Pocket PC to an 802.11 network using the device's built-in infrared port. The switch eliminates the need for end users to purchase expansive and power-hungry 802.11b add-on cards for their PDAs. Clarinet is initially targeting the medical field where doctors and nurses use PDAs for data input. Other applications could include public hot-spots or campus installations.
http://www.clarinetsys.com

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Ubicom Expands Line of 802.11a/b/g Processors

Ubicom introduced two new wireless network processors for 802.11a/b/g. The first device offers greater processing power (160 MHz) thanUbicom's existing IP2022 product (120 MHz), while the second device is a feature-specific low-cost variation of the processor. By increasing the clock speed of the IP2022 processor, Ubicom said it has advanced both TCP and UDP performance by as much as 33%.
http://www.ubicom.com

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TELOS, Colubris and Adjungo Collaborate on Coverged Cellular and WLAN

TELOS Technology, Colubris Networks and Adjungo Networks are collaborating on an IP system that integrates enterprise WLANs and cellular networks. Wireless enterprise subscribers use the same cellular handset (as in the public wireless networks) within their wireless enterprise network to access additional PBX/Centrex type voice features. Cellular radios are deployed in the enterprise IP network to provide radio coverage and capacity wherever required. The architecture is comprised of an IP-based cellular core and access network from TELOS Technology; secure WLAN solutions for enterprises and public hot spots from Colubris Networks; and SIM/Virtual SIM security, mobility and management solutions from Adjungo Networks.
http://www.colubris.com
http://www.adjungonet.com

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Riverstone Networks Announces City Contracts in China

Riverstone Networks announced contracts to supply its RS routers and MPLS technology to eight cities and districts in central China. The equipment will be used to provide the foundation for each city's network and enable the delivery of advanced video and data services as outlined by the Digital Broadcasting Expert Group of China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT). Jingmen, located in Hubei Province, is deploying Riverstone's RS 8600 and RS 3000 routers in a metropolitan ring to bring public and private network access to more than three million people in the five counties and cities under its administration. Hechuan, located in Chongqing municipality, is deploying Riverstone's RS 8600 and RS 3000 routers to build an MPLS-enabled network that brings streaming video and data services to the city's 1.5 million residents. Deployment sites include additional locations in Chongqing municipality as well as in Hubei province. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.riverstonenetworks.com

• Riverstone Networks has recently announced several other major contracts in China, including: Shanxi Railcom, a subsidiary of China Railcom; China Netcom; the province of Anhui's education network; and Shanxi Cable (a provincial cable operator).

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Starent Raises $23 Million for its Mobile IP Gateway

Starent Networks, a start-up based in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, closed $23 million in third round financing for its intelligent mobile infrastructure solutions. Starent's ST16 Intelligent Mobile Gateway sits between a mobile network and a core IP network. The gateway can be used to provision data, voice and integrated voice and data services. Previous investors Matrix Partners, North Bridge Venture Partners and Highland Capital Partners participated in this round. In addition, Samsung Electronics joined as a strategic investor.
http://www.starentnetworks.com

• In November 2001, Samsung Electronics selected Starent's Intelligent Mobile Gateway platform as a key element for their CDMA2000 network offerings.



• Starent Networks was founded in August 2000 and is led by Ashraf Dahod, whose previous companies include Applitek (later renamed LANCity), acquired by Bay Networks in 1996, Sigma Network Systems, acquired by SMC in 1992 and NetCore Systems, acquired by Tellabs in 1999.

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Cisco Offers Open-API for its MDS 9000 SAN Switches

Cisco Systems will offer an open API (application platform interface) program to allow independent software vendors with SAN management and storage resource management applications to integrate with the Cisco MDS 9000 Family of Multilayer Directors and Fabric Switches. This open-API includes a software developer's kit (SDK) that provides access to the SNMP management information base (MIBs), including SNMP v2 for discovery and monitoring and SNMP v3 for secured configuration and access control.
http://www.cisco.com

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Alcatel Partners with IPWireless for TD-CDMA (TDD) Mobile Access

Alcatel formed a strategic partnership with IP Wireless, a start-up specializing in TD-CDMA (TDD) mobile broadband technology. The TDD solution, which will support Alcatel's portfolio of UMTS/3G and WLAN networks and services, is aimed at mobile operators wishing to complement their GSM/GPRS and WCDMA services with enhanced TDD coverage in dense business areas.
http://www.alcatel.com
http://www.ipwireless.com

• IPWireless' non-line-of-sight technology uses signal processing techniques to support data rates of up to 3 Mbps (1.5Mbps in a 5MHz channel) to users' laptops or PCs via a PC Card (PCMCIA). IP Wireless is a start-up headquartered in San Bruno, California with R&D and sales facilities in the UK.

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FlexLight Introduces Standards-based Gigabit PON

FlexLight Networks, a start-up based in Atlanta with R&D in Israel, released a gigabit PON product compliant with the ITU's recently approved standards for GPON (Recommendations G.984.1 and G.984.2). FlexLight's Optimate product accepts and carries Fast Ethernet (10/100 Mbps) and T1/E1 circuits from each customer location over the FlexLight PON access network in their native format. It also supports VLAN switching. Carrier trials are underway in Europe and Asia.
http://www.flexlight-networks.com

• In January, the ITU announced an agreement on two new standards for Gigabit-capable Passive Optical Networks (G-PONs). Both standards cover symmetrical and asymmetrical (upstream/downstream) systems.



• ITU Recommendation G.984.1 describes the general characteristics of a gigabit-capable PON system such as architecture, bit rates, reach, signal transfer delay, split ratio protection and security.



• ITU Recommendation G.984.2 describes a flexible optical fiber access network capable of supporting the bandwidth requirements of business and residential services. It covers systems with nominal line rates of 1.25 Gbps and 2.5 Gbps in the downstream (Central Office to customer) direction and 155 Mbps, 622 Mbps, 1.5 Gbps and 2.5 Gbps in the upstream (customer to Central Office) direction. This represents approximately twice the capability of the previous release of the standards (G.983.4 and G.983.5).

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ICG Deploys VoicePipe IP Telephony with VocalData

ICG Communications, a national, facilities-based service provider headquartered in Denver, is rolling out an IP voice and data service using VocalData's IP telephony platform. ICG's VoicePipe bundles business telephone service, long-distance and high-speed Internet access and features a web portal where users can configure dozens of call features. ICG offers its services in 30 major metro markets.
http://www.icgcom.com
http://www.vocaldata.com

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Cisco and Yahoo! Team on Networking Solutions for Small Businesses

Cisco Systems is teaming with Yahoo! to offer industry-specific networking solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. The Cisco Solution Center on the Yahoo! Small Business site will offer industry specific content and solutions geared for the following types of businesses: financial services, healthcare, professional services, public sector, education, hospitality, manufacturing, retail, transportation and wholesale.http://smallbusiness.yahoo.comhttp://ciscosolutioncenter.com

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Narus Launches Family of OSS/BSS Products

Narus introduced five new OSS products based on its IP network usage and mediation technology:

• Narus MobileSight, for wireless voice and data services including Wi-Fi. It is in production deployment with KDDI in Japan and T-Mobile;


• Narus Prepaid Data, for prepaid data services. It has been selected by a major pan-European mobile operator;


• Narus Broadband, for broadband, cable, and satellite services. It is in deployment at one of the largest US cable operators and one of Europe's largest cable operators,


• Narus Backbone, for Internet backbone service providers. It is currently in use by Cable & Wireless and Wil-Tel


• Narus Surveillance, for government monitoring of networks for national security purposes. The product is already in deployment for lawful national security purposes at one of the world's largest network service providers.

The products are available in configurations called "ServiceSets" that include all the associated collection capabilities, business logic, and outputs to help deploy specific services.
http://www.narus.com

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Nortel Announces Advanced Business Connectivity Framework

Nortel Networks introduced an Advanced Business Connectivity framework aimed at moving networking beyond the conveyance of data. The framework would add a layer of application intelligence to drive a greater return on existing server and network investments. It would also advance the vision of increased productivity, options and convergence. The company said its Advanced Business Connectivity suite of products would be based on its "Security in the DNA" principles of built-in redundancy, automatic fail-over capabilities and commonality of platforms. The first products announced as part of the Advanced Business Connectivity initiative include:

• Alteon Application Switch 2424, which relies on an enhanced architecture that includes high-performance distributed processing resources as well as new, application-specific processors.
  Alteon Application Switch 2424-SSL, which adds SSL processing and SSL VPN integrated security applications to the Alteon 2424.


• the Passport 8600 equipped with an SSL acceleration module, which accelerates secure business transactions and confidential data by offloading SSL processing from local servers without imposing delays on other traffic in the same data path. Each 8661 SSL Acceleration module can process 3,000 SSL transactions per second and 64,000 concurrent sessions with 260 megabits per second of bulk encryption throughput.


• the Passport 1600 Routing Switch portfolio, which provides Layer 3 aggregation and wiring closet connectivity for medium-sized businesses


• the BayStack 380-24F, which is equipped with all gigabit fiber ports, provides Layer 2 aggregation.

http://www.nortelnetworks.com

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Calient Networks Chosen for Optiputer Project

Calient Networks will supply an all-optical switching system for the "OptIPuter" research project underway by the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology (Cal-(IT)2) and the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). The Calient switches will be installed at the StarLight site in Chicago and the NetherLight site in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Calient's DiamondWave all-photonic platform scales to 256x256 ports in non-blocking fashion and supports advanced lambda control strategies. It will be used to prototype multi-Gigabit LambdaGrids with a 128x128 platform at StarLight, and a 64x64 platform at NetherLight. Both sites interconnect numerous 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps national and international backbone trunks. Calient's platform uses a single-crystal silicon 3D MEMS design.
http://www.calient.net

• The OptIPuter project, which is funded by a $13.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation, will use an optical networking grid to support data-intensive scientific research and collaboration, especially in earth and biomedical sciences. The OptIPuter will leverage Grid middleware and multiple wavelengths of light to provide a better means of accessing and processing large, remote databases. http://www.calit2.net/news/2002/9-25-optiputer.html http://www.science.uva.nl/research/air/



• In November 2002, Chiaro Networks said it would supply its Enstara optical routing platform for the project. Chiaro said its platform employs several innovative technologies such as nanosecond optical packet switching, centralized switch fabric scheduling, and the use of programmable network processors.

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Lucent Ships Ethernet-over-SONET Platforms

Lucent Technologies named three customers for its new Ethernet-over-SONET platform: Cavalier Telephone, Everest Connections and Toronto Hydro Telecom. Lucent's Metropolis product family includes the DMX Access Multiplexer for central office and large enterprise applications, the DMXpress for customer premises applications, and a new DMXtend box for enterprise and loop access applications. All three systems provide metro Ethernet over SONET (EoS) using Generic Framing Procedure (GFP) and Virtual Concatenation technology. Cavalier Telephone, a full-service facilities based telephone company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, is deploying GigE packet rings in its mid-Atlantic telecommunications network. Everest Connections, a Kansas City-based broadband service provider offering digital cable television, local and long distance telephone service and high-speed Internet access, is using the DMX and DMXpres for business Ethernet services and to carry T1 voice trunks into its 5ESS switches. Toronto Hydro Telecom is using Lucent's Ethernet-over-SONET for a metro network that aims to link major office buildings in Toronto. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.lucent.com

• In January, Lucent announced that China's Jiangsu Unicom had selected its Metropolis Ethernet/SDH metro access multiplexer and Metropolis ADM MultiService Mux for deployment in five cities across Jiangsu province. The optical backbone will be used to connect wireless base stations and mobile switching centers to long-distance networks.

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Tellabs 5500 NGX Integrates Cross-Connect, Transport and Data

Tellabs introduced its new 5500 NGX next-generation cross-connect featuring support for dense, high-speed optical transport and management of any traffic type, including wideband, broadband and data. The Tellabs 5500 NGX system combines the integrated optical and data bandwidth management features of the Tellabs 6400 transport switch with the Tellabs 5500 digital cross-connect system. More than 4,000 of the Tellabs 5500 system are installed worldwide. Tellabs said that by combining digital cross-connect, next-generation add-drop multiplexers (ADM) and broadband cross-connect functionality into a single managed element, the new platform could deliver up to a 70% CAPEX savings. Lab trials are expected in Q2 and commercial availability is slated for Q3.
http://www.tellabs.com

• The Tellabs 6400 transport switch is a metro edge device that integrates highly-scalable VT/STS (virtual tributary/synchronous transport signal) and M13 cross-connect technology, SONET transport and highly efficient data transport for Ethernet and IP traffic.

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