EMC to Acquire Vmware for $635 Million

EMC Corporation agreed to acquire Vmware, Palo Alto, California-based start-up developing Intel virtualization software, for approximately $635 million in cash. VMware's technology enables multiple operating systems -- including Microsoft Windows, Linux and NetWare -- to run simultaneously and independently on the same Intel-based server or workstation and dynamically move live applications across systems. EMC plans to use the technology to help its customers create a single pool of available storage and computing resources across a heterogeneous...

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Level 3 Expands its Voice Termination Service

Level 3 Communications is significantly expanding the softswitch-based voice termination service it offers to PTTs, inter-exchange carriers and other companies operating in North America and Europe. Wholesale carriers will now be able to hand-off traffic using an IP interface.The service is being expanded through the use of existing IP ports initially installed by Level 3 to support its (3)Flex data networking service, meaning little incremental capital was required to implement the new capability. The IP interface for voice traffic will initially...

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Sprint Signs Expanded Billing Contract with Convergys

Sprint signed a seven-year agreement under which Convergys will provide billing services for business and consumer wireless subscribers. Convergys has provided billing support to Sprint's wireless consumers since 1996. The new contract covers Convergys' "Infinys" portfolio of convergent, pre-integrated software applications and modules. Infinys' convergent capabilities allow communications companies to bill for a multitude of services on a single platform including wireless, wireline, cable, and broadband. Sprint may use Infinys as standalone...

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XO Receives Financial Boost from Global Crossing

XO Communications received $192.0 million, consisting of $164.8 million in cash and $27.2 million of Global Crossing common stock (12-Dec-03 prices), in exchange for the $158.5 million XO Communications paid to acquire approximately 34% of pre-petition senior debt of Global Crossing. XO said the cash payment and shares of common stock were distributed by Global Crossing upon its emergence from bankruptcy and represent the recovery on the investment XO Communications made in its earlier effort to acquire all of the assets of Global Crossing. In...

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Data Connection Announces New Licensing Agreement with Microsoft

Data Connection Limited (DCL) announced that Microsoft has licensed its IP-DLC technology, thereby extending their 15-year old technology partnership. IP-DLC, also known as Enterprise Extender, allows mainframe SNA applications to operate through an IP network. This feature is included in the Beta 2 of Microsoft Host Integration Server 2004, also announced today by Microsoft. http://www.dataconnection....

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3Com Unveils Pervasive Network Security Strategy

3Com announced plans to integrate new layers of security directly into the hardware, software and operational components that define the network. The initiative is aimed at small, medium and large enterprise networks. These security overlays include: Layer 2-7 firewall, virtual private network (VPN), authentication, authorization, intrusion detection system and intrusion prevention systems (IPS), anti-virus, security management, and policy. The security overlays will be integrated across 3Com's networking portfolio. 3Com plans to both develop...

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Cox Launches its First VoIP Service

Cox Communications launched its first VoIP-based cable telephony service in Roanoke, Virginia. The VoIP architecture provides lifeline service, including Enhanced 911 and features such as call waiting, caller ID and voice mail. Cox's self-managed VoIP architecture also supports number portability, thereby enabling customers to switch their existing phone number over to Cox Digital Telephone service.Cox, which already provides circuit-switched based telephony in 11 other markets, said its Digital Telephone subscriptions have grown 40% in 2003 over...

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Brix Offers Service Assurance for Large Enterprise Networks

Brix Networks, a start-up based in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, introduced performance management and service assurance software designed for large enterprise networks. The new "BrixMon" software provides proactive, end-to-end verification of IP-based applications, including VoIP, video, VPN access, and Web services. It provides remote visibility into service performance across the enterprise LAN and WAN, including branch offices, through software-based Brix Verifier Agents or optional hardware Brix Verifiers deployed throughout the network. The...

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SAVVIS and HyperFeed Team on Real-time Financial Apps

SAVVIS Communications is launching a new global network distribution service in partnership with HyperFeed Technologies aimed at the low-latency delivery of real-time financial content. SAVVIS' Data Delivery Utility integrates HyperFeed's Managed Exchange Platform Services (MEPS) and provides end-to-end Service Level Agreements (SLAs). For example, the Data Delivery Utility collects raw data feeds from the major trading venues and data sources in North America including: American Stock Exchange, Archipelago ECN, Chicago Board of Trade, Chicago...

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Netopia Offers 3-D Reach Wi-Fi Kits for DSL and Cable

Netopia introduced two "3-D Reach" Wi-Fi gateway starter kits for use by both cable modem and DSL subscribers. The kits incorporate a Wi-Fi certified 3-D Reach Netopia gateway, Wi-Fi PC Card, and Netopia's WEP Configuration Wizard. Both gateways utilize Netopia's "3-D Reach" technology, which leverages a dual-tuned diversity antenna system to significantly boost the range of the Wi-Fi network without increasing the antenna power. The gateway design also shields the ADSL subsystem from interfering with the radio components. Netopia said its 3D...

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SBC Metro Ethernet Offering Powered By Cisco 7600 Series Routers

Cisco 7600 Series routers will be used for the new SBC Metro Ethernet OPT-E-MAN service announced last week. Cisco said the OPT-E-MAN service will be powered by a Cisco equipment-based edge-to-edge network built on an MPLS core. Financial terms were not disclosed.http://cisco.com/go/7600Last week, SBC Communications announced a major expansion of its metro optical portfolio with the launch of switched Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, and enhanced Storage Area Networking (SAN) services. The new services are aimed at medium and large-sized enterprises,...

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Sonus Enhances its Open Services Architecture

Sonus Networks announced several enhancements to its Open Services Architecture (OSA) designed to enable a new concept of Network Border Switching. Sonus said the latest Release 5.1 of the company's GSX9000 Open Services Switch and Insignus Softswitch eliminates the need for multiple partial solutions by providing basic network border switch functionality, including: Network Address Translation (NAT) and topology hidingAccess control via pinhole firewallDenial of Service (DoS) protectionBandwidth and QoS theft protectionSignaling-based admission...

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Siemens to Resell IP Unity's Media Server

Siemens ICN and IP Unity have signed a Master Reseller Agreement to offer integrated solutions based on the Siemens SURPASS hiQ 8000 Softswitch and the IP Unity Harmony6000 Media Server. This agreement encompasses a broad range of IP messaging, conferencing, Interactive Voice Response and related next-generation communication solutions, to be integrated, distributed and serviced by Siemens. IP Unity's Harmony6000 Media Server delivers high speed, volume media processing and carrier-class IP telephony services like audio/web conferencing, messaging,...

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Agilent Introduces Small Fast Infrared Transceiver

Agilent Technologies announced a small, fast infrared (FIR) transceiver for mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and digital cameras. The fast infrared transceiver supports the IrDA (Infrared Data Association) low power specification and operates at transmission speeds ranging from 9.6 kbps to 4.0 Mbps. The device measures 2.5 mm in height, enabling it to be used in clamshell and ultra-slim handsets. Agilent said the infrared port could be used to off-load data from newer megapixel camera phones or other handheld devices. The...

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Motorola Expands its Canopy Wireless Broadband Portfolio

Motorola is introducing a new 2.4GHz "Canopy" wireless broadband system designed for ISPs and for enterprise and private network operators that may be looking to add capacity to cover larger geographic areas or to extend reach to customers in difficult terrain. The 2.4GHz point-to-point backhaul modules can be used as a low-latency Ethernet bridge between any two networks or between a network and remote user. There is also a 2.4 GHz 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) product available. Motorola said that in international markets where other...

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