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 infrastructure.


Joe Tucci, EMC President and CEO, said "until now, server and storage virtualization have existed as disparate entities. Today, EMC is accelerating the convergence of these two worlds."http://www.emc.com/http://www.vmware.com/

• Vmware was founded in 1998 and has strategic financing from an investment group headed by Dell Computer Corp. In addition to Dell, this investment group included VERITAS Software, Azure Capital Partners, JPMorgan Partners, and Goldman Sachs Group. Vmware claims some 5,000 corporate customers for its virtualization products.

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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 be available in 14 U.S. cities and four European cities on the Level 3 network by the end of Q1 2004. Level 3 can terminate voice traffic in hundreds of cities across North America.


Level 3 said the new IP interfaces would enable carriers to avoid the high cost of interconnection associated with TDM-based switching. It also enables carriers to offer voice and other services out of region without a significant, up-front capital outlay.


Level 3 Communications first began offering its softswitched-based (3)Voice Termination service in December 1999.
http://www.level3.com

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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 solutions or in combination with existing systems to address its specific billing needs. Financial terms were not disclosed. Convergys did not change its previously discussed 2004 financial guidance.
http://www.convergys.com

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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 addition, XO Communications said it retains the rights to approximately 34% of the proceeds, if any, from the pending lawsuit between Global Crossing's bank group and former Global Crossing officers and directors that seeks $1.7 billion in damages.
http://www.xo.com

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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.com

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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 these capabilities internally and via strategic partnerships with best-of-breed security vendors. As part of the pervasive security rollout, 3Com announced:

• a new software release for its SuperStack 3 Switch 4400 family (that adds Network Login 802.1x support



• a management application that graphically discovers, maps, and displays network links and IP services. Its also supports 802.1x network login, identification of remote authentication dial-in user service (RADIUS) servers and virtual local area network (VLAN) support. Once authenticated, 3Com Network Supervisor Advanced Package can track and identify each user, including which switch they are connected to.

http://www.3com.com

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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 the same period in 2002. The other Cox Digital Telephone markets are San Diego, Orange County, Phoenix, Omaha, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Hampton Roads (Virginia), New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Wichita, and Tucson.
http://www.cox.com

• In its Q3 financial report, Cox listed 900,000 telephone customers, up by 73,000 over Q2 2003.

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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 solution includes automatic test threshold auditing, compliance analysis, real-time and historical reporting capabilities, storage for performance data, and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for integration with various third-party management tools. An optional VoIP test suite provides performance and quality tests for Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), H.323, or Cisco Skinny Client Control Protocol (SCCP) networks. Detailed test results pinpoint key VoIP quality factors, including call setup, media transmission performance, and voice quality.
http://www.brixnet.com

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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 Mercantile Exchange, Island ECN, Montreal Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, New York Board of Trade, New York Mercantile Exchange, NYSE, OPRA, and the Toronto Stock Exchange. These content sources are then dynamically cleansed, normalized, and compressed using HyperFeed technology and delivered to users via SAVVIS' global multicast network. The first North American exchanges will be live on the Data Delivery Utility by the end of 2003, with additional exchanges rolled out globally in the first half of 2004.
http://www.savvis.net

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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 Reach overcomes the coverage limitation often faced by consumers if their gateway is located on a different floor from their PC (for example, the gateway is in an upstairs office when the user is trying to access the Internet from the den downstairs). The gateways also include WEP security features that are auto-configured and enabled by default. Netopia has been shipping the gateways through its service provider accounts. The new Netopia Wi-Fi Starter Kits will now be offered through distributors, eCommerce stores, service providers, and select retail outlets worldwide starting in January 2004.
http://www.netopia.com/3DReach

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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/7600

• Last 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, as well as government, education and medical organizations that need substantial network bandwidth in metropolitan areas. The rollout includes:
  
  
  "OPT-E-MAN" -- a new carrier-class switched metro Ethernet service offered at speeds ranging from 10 Mbps to 1 Gbps. SBC initially is offering it in 14 markets.
  
  "GigaMAN" -- an existing point-to-point Ethernet service that is being enhanced through the availability of Ethernet-over-SONET, which is offered at interface speeds of 100 Mbps or 1 Gbps. SBC described the EoS platform as more robust, scalable and reliable.
  
  "FibreMAN" -- a new fully-managed, point-to-point dedicated storage networking service. It can be used to transfer data to and from off-site storage facilities, such as an Internet data centers, at speeds of 1 or 2 Gbps using the Fibre Channel protocol. The service will be available across the traditional 13-state SBC territory.

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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 hiding



• Access control via pinhole firewall



• Denial of Service (DoS) protection



• Bandwidth and QoS theft protection



• Signaling-based admission control (SIP or H.323)



• SIP and H.323 Proxy, back-to-back and interworking functions

The network border switching capabilities use the Insignus Softswitch to enable carriers to control firewall pinholes and routing with options based on IP addresses as well as call-related information such as calling subscriber, called subscriber, applicable calling plan and others.
Sonus also said its solution is able to resolve the media incompatibilities that can arise in interconnecting IP devices, such as different codecs, different voice packet sizes and protocol incompatibilities (raw fax vs. T.38, DTMF vs. RFC2833). It also provides support for SIP-T, which carriers typically use when peering with another carrier via IP, allowing end-to-end call signaling via embedded ISUP information.
http://www.sonusnet.com

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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, interactive voice response, auto-attendant and prepaid services.
http://www.ip-unity.com

• In October 2003, Siemens Venture Capital made a strategic investment in IP Unity, bringing the company's private capitalization to $70 million. At the time, the company said it had more than 100 Media Server platforms deployed in carrier networks. The customer list includes Cbeyond, Comcast, Level 3 Enhanced Services, and Liberty Media among others. IP Unity is based in Milpitas, California.

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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 transceiver also supports infrared financial management (IrFM) and other data transfers with a link distance of up to 50 cm. The IrFM point-and-pay profile is designed to enable users to perform wireless financial transactions between a mobile device such as a cellular phone or PDA and a point-of-sale terminal or ATM equipped with an IR port. It supports the use of most financial instruments, including credit and debit cards, and provides digital receipts.
http://www.agilent.com

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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 frequencies are limited, the 2.4GHz can become the critical second band to complement solutions in other bands, such as 5.7GHz ISM band or even a licensed band such as 3.5GHz.


The 2.4GHz backhaul modules are offered in four models: a 10 megabit per second (Mbps) model and a 20 Mbps model, with AES models available for each. The 10 Mbps backhaul model operates with a raw data rate of 10 Mbps with an approximate throughput of 6 Mbps and has a maximum range of about 35 miles when reflectors are used. The 20 Mbps backhaul module operates with a raw data rate of 20 Mbps with an approximate throughput of 14 Mbps and has a maximum range of about 35 miles when reflectors are used. In point-to-point or point-to-multipoint configurations, the uplink/downlink ratio is configurable by the operator.
http://www.motorola.com

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