NETGEAR Launches 108 Mbps Wireless ADSL2+ Modem Router

NETGEAR introduced a five-in-one consumer product that combines ADSL2+ modem, router, switch, firewall and 108 Mbps 802.11g Wireless Access Point. The firewall provides stateful packet inspection (SPI) with Intrusion Control featuring Denial of Service protection.



Netgear said it will provide a free firmware soon to upgrade the built-in modem to ADSL2+ of its new 108 Mbps Super Wireless ADSL Modem Router. http://www.netgear.com/

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Linksys Offers 802.11g CompactFlash Card

Linksys, a division of Cisco Systems, introduced a 802.11g CompactFlash (CF) card for PocketPCs and PDAs. The Linksys 802.11g wireless adapter roams seamlessly among multiple 802.11g/b wireless network access points or wireless routers, it also operates in ad hoc mode (without an access point) . List pricing is $99. http://www.linksys.com/

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UTStarcom Introduces an All-IP CDMA Solution

UTStarcom, which in recent months has significantly expanded its presence in the CDMA market through several strategic acquisitions, introduced its MovingMedia 2000 platform, an end-to-end IP-based infrastructure solution for CDMA/CDMA2000 networks.



Whereas traditional CDMA networks consolidate multiple network elements in large switching centers, UTStarcom's MovingMedia 2000 solution uses a packet network to distribute components throughout the network. This lets carriers distribute and share network elements and functions across geographic regions, making it far cheaper to extend base stations and pico cells to remote locations. The distributed architecture results in distributed traffic. Instead of all traffic being backhauled to a central location, traffic is directed to the nearest gateway in the distributed network, so local calls stay in the local area. UTStarcom estimates that wireless operators will be able to significantly reduce the bandwidth and cost of backhauling traffic.



The company will offer MovingMedia 2000 solutions in 450MHz, 800MHz, and 1900MHz frequencies. The portfolio includes the MovingMedia 2000 Sonata SE-IMG, an intelligent, scalable media gateway that translates calls between traditional telephone networks and wireless networks; the MovingMedia 2000 Sonata MSC Server, high-capacity mobile switching center that functions as a next-generation softswitch; the MovingMedia 2000 Sonata SE-SGW (Signaling Gateway), which provides SS7 interworking and performs signaling functions for the MovingMedia.



UTStarcom also plans to introduce three low-cost CDMA handset models in early 2005 that will be interoperable with its MovingMedia 2000 infrastructure solution, as well as other CDMA2000 networks. http://www.utstar.com

• In July, UTStarcom partnered with Qualcomm to provide in-flight wireless CDMA communications aboard an American Airlines commercial aircraft. UTStarcom's MovingMedia 2000 solution enabled passengers using commercially available CDMA mobile phones to connect to the worldwide terrestrial phone network through an air-to-ground satellite link.



• Over the past few months, UTStarcom has created a full-solution CDMA business and product line to complements its wireless PAS portfolio. Its activities have included CDMA and WCDMA licensing from Qualcomm, a development partnership with IPWireless for TDCDMA technology, and strategic acquisitions, including Hyundai Syscomm, TELOS, and now ACC. UTStarcom said it is already the single largest handset provider in China, the largest, and most cost-competitive market in the world. It currently offers more than 30 different handsets, from high-end to low-cost models. The company shipped over 16.5 million units in 2003 and expects to ship between 18 to 20 million in 2004. UTStarcom said the CDMA would extend its position in international markets.



• UTStarcom agreed to acquire Audiovox Communications' handset division for $165.1 million in cash. The Audiovox division provides the company with a recognized CDMA handset brand, fully certified for the U.S. market; access to long-standing supply-chain channels; product marketing expertise; and key relationships with top-tier CDMA operators, particularly in North and South America.

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Big Bear Gains Traction with OC-768 Transponder

Big Bear Networks, a start-up based in Sunnyvale, California, cited growing customer traction for its Kodiak 40/43Gb/s Electro-Optical Transponder, a short-reach OC-768 transponder. Applications include interconnects between SONET/SDH Optical cross-connects, routers, switches and transmission equipment in central office environments. Big Bear said its 43G rate transponders are already use in Inter-Office Facility and metro links, and also in test equipment, gaining the largest market share. The company foresees growth in 2005 as carriers look to 40/43G capability. http://www.bigbearnetworks.com

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Kasenna Unveils RAM-Based Streaming Platform for Triple Play

Kasenna introduced a RAM-based High Performance Streaming (HPS) option for its MediaBase XMP video server platform. The new RAMBase is a 1RU device that supports up to 1000 video streams using four Gigabit Ethernet ports. RAMBase enables hybrid RAM/disk-based streaming clusters. Kasenna said the its integration with its Stream Clustering technology, enables the RAMBase to be deployed as a high-performance cache option extension to any MediaBase server cluster. This would extend the company's existing near-linear scalability for VOD services. RAMBase servers with various storage capacities will ship in Q1 2005. http://www.kasenna.com

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Avici Systems Names ex-AT&T Exec as Interim CEO

Avici Systems appointed Dr. William Leighton, a current member of Avici's Board, to serve as interim Chief Executive replacing Steven Kaufman. Dr. Leighton joined Avici's Board in May of this year upon retirement from AT&T where he spent 27 years at AT&T Labs and Bell Labs. Most recently, Dr. Leighton served as Vice President of Research, and previously as Vice President of Network Development, where he led the design and development of AT&T's IP and data networks and services. http://www.avici.com

• In September, AT&T selected Avici Systems to provide core routing equipment for the extension of its IP/MPLS backbone. Avici has been a supplier of core routing equipment to AT&T since 2000. AT&T, which operates one of the largest IP backbones in the world, plans to accelerate its network transformation by converging services across a single IP/MPLS infrastructure. Financial terms were not disclosed.

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Cisco Unveils Edge, Metro and Core Multiservice Optical Platforms

Cisco Systems introduced new and enhanced solutions for edge, metro and core multiservice optical networks. The rollout includes:

• for the network edge -- the Cisco ONS 15310-CL SONET Multiservice Platform and enhanced Cisco ONS 15302 and Cisco ONS 15305 SDH multiservice customer access platforms. The Cisco ONS 15310-CL, which is a one rack-unit edge platform, enables SONET operators to deploy new services such as private-line and switched-Ethernet services that support link capacity adjustment scheme (LCAS), virtual concatenation (VCAT) and generic framing procedure (GFP). The ONS 15310-CL is interoperable with existing Cisco ONS 15454 SONET MSPP infrastructures. For SDH networks, the enhanced Cisco ONS 15302 and Cisco ONS 15305 platforms also now support private-line and switched-Ethernet services.



• for metro networks -- new Carrier Ethernet functionality and high-density DS-3 solutions are being added to the Cisco ONS 15454 Multiservice Provisioning Platform (MSPP). The enhancements include a new Carrier Ethernet (CE)-Series line card that supports LCAS, VCAT and GFP and new high-density DS-3 line cards.



• for core networks -- Cisco added a new any-service, any-port (ASAP) line card that helps enable software-selectable bandwidth and protocol options for the Cisco ONS 15600 Multiservice Switching Platform (MSSP), in addition to faster broadband switching functionality. The new ASAP line card augments the existing OC-48 and OC-192 interfaces and adds OC-3, OC-12 and GFP-based Gigabit Ethernet bandwidth flexibility to service providers' core networks through small form-factor pluggable (SFP) optics. In addition, a new Cisco ONS 15600 MSSP single-slot cross-connect (SSXC) card is much faster and uses less power than the platform's current cross-connect card. The SSXC enables customers to transparently pass the overhead of SONET/SDH and supports more than 32 two-fiber bidirectional line-switched rings.

http://www.cisco/go/optical

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AMCC Announces Restructuring

Applied Micro Circuits Corporation (AMCC) announced a restructuring of its operations, including a consolidation of facilities and a layoff of approximately 150 people, or about 20 percent of its workforce. As part of its restructuring plan, the company will close its facilities in Israel and will consolidate other facilities. Product development and customer support activities currently based in Israel will be consolidated into other AMCC locations. The restructuring is expected to reduce ongoing operating expenses by approximately six to eight million dollars per quarter in the quarter commencing April 2005. http://www.amcc.com

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Juniper Awarded Largest Share of China Telecom's CN2 Project

Juniper Networks announced that its routing platforms have been awarded the largest share of the contract for China Telecom's next-generation backbone network, which is also known as ChinaNet Next Carrying Network (CN2). The Juniper gear will be deployed exclusively for China Telecom's national core backbone and eight South China provincial backbone networks. Specifically, China Telecom will deploy the T640, T320 and M320 routing platforms with MPLS to support a range of advanced IP services, including VPNs, high-quality IP voice and video streaming. In addition, CN2 will support IPv6 addressing and finer control over network traffic routing, quality of service and third-generation (3G) mobile applications to China Telecom's mobile subscriber base. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.juniper.net

• Last week, Cisco Systems announced that China Telecom had selected it as the primary equipment provider for the business network portion of its next generation IP network, also known as ChinaNet Next Carrying Network or CN2. Cisco said that in the past 6 months, China Telecom has awarded it contracts valued at more than US$100 million.



• In October 2004, China Telecom selected Lucent Technologies for upgrades to its national optical backbone network. Under the project, Lucent will provide its WaveStar OLS 1.6T high-capacity DWDM system to build a transmission network spanning over 2,400 kilometers across China. The contracts were awarded as part of China Telecom's National Transmission Backbone Expansion Project.



• In September 2004, it was announced that China Telecom will deploy Nortel Networks Optical Long Haul 1600 Optical Line Systems to expand its optical backbone networks in the cities of Wuhan, Guangzhou, Changsha, Fuzhou, Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Hefei, Chongqing, and Chengdu. The expansion, scheduled for completion by the end of 2004, will boost transmission capacity to approximately 10 Gbps x 30 wavelengths. In addition, China Telecom's Shanghai Telecom and Zhejiang Telecom branches will use Nortel Networks Services Edge Router (SER) 5500 to expand their data networks.



• In August 2004, Alcatel Shanghai Bell announced a contract to supply 1.3 million Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL) to China Telecom in southern China. The contract covers the deployment of the Alcatel 7300 Advanced Services Access Manager (ASAM) by China Telecom's subsidiaries in 15 provinces and municipalities across southern China such as Shanghai, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi.

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Moonv6 network Advances IPv6 Interoperability

The Moonv6 project, a collaborative effort between the NAv6TF (North American IPv6 Task Force), the UNH-IOL, government agencies and Internet2, completed a new round of interoperability tests aimed at advancing IPv6 testing into new territory.



The latest round of testing, which began at the UNH-IOL on October 30 and wrapped up at the U.S. Defense Department's Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC) in Fort Huachuca, Arizona on November 12, represented the most aggressive multi-vendor test and demonstration of IPv6 products to date, encompassing voice, wireless, firewalls and application-layer connectivity.
Test areas included interoperability in pure IPv6 as well as mixed v6 and IPv4 networks, IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs, VoIP, firewalls and IPsec, dual-stack routing, Internet protocols such as DHCP, DNS and various applications and transition mechanisms.



The Moonv6 network previously tested multi-vendor interoperability and basic Internet protocols and network functionality, QoS, basic Firewall functionality and Mobile IPv6, Domain Name System (DNS) and routing and border protocols Open Shortest Path First OSPF, Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) and Intermediate System-Intermediate System (IS-IS).




Industry participants included Agilent Technologies, AT&T, Check Point Software Technologies, Cisco Systems, Extreme Technologies, Hitachi, Hewlett-Packard, Ixia, Juniper Networks, Lucent Technologies, Nortel, Microsoft, Panasonic, Secure Computing, Spirent, Sun Microsystems and Symantec.



During the tests, the Department of Defense's (DoD's) Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC) used Spirent Communications' test methodology, equipment and engineers to plan and prepare for the future of DoD IPv6 implementation milestones. In this round of testing, the November Test Set determined to what extent current DoD applications and vendor IP implementations, including hardware and software, interoperate when using select IPv6 features in a native IPv6 and dual IPv4/IPv6 environments.



Also during the Moonv6 even, Agilent Technologies demonstrated that its security and content networking-performance tester could validate firewall performance for VoIPv6. Specifically, Agilent's NetworkTester demonstrated the emulation of SIP and H.323 VoIP protocols at the same time as application protocols such as HTTP, SMTP, and POP3, allowing users to simulate IPv6-capable hosts and services running hundreds of thousands of real data transactions and voice calls per second. http://www.moonv6.orghttp://www.iol.unh.edu

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Spirent Hires Former Tellabs Executive

Spirent plc appointed Bill Burns as president of the Service Assurance division of Spirent Communications with immediate effect. Burns was previously Senior Vice President of Global Marketing at Tellabs. Prior to this, he was Senior Vice President Europe, Middle East and Africa for Tellabs, based in the UK, and held several senior sales management and sales engineering positions at the company. http://www.spirentcom.com

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Cox Launches its 5th Cable VoIP Market

Cox Communications announced the availability of Cox Digital Telephone in Southwest Louisiana, its fifth market where it is offering cable VoIP service and its 17th market with phone service. Recently, Cox launched Cox Digital Telephone via VoIP in Tulsa, Okla., Baton Rouge, La., and West Texas. http://www.cox.com

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Qualcomm Announces Single-Chip CDMA2000 1X Solution

QUALCOMM announced two industry design milestones: a single-chip solution for CDMA2000 1X, which integrates a baseband modem, radio transceiver, power management and multimedia engines; and the first CDMA2000 1X radio transceiver -- a component of this single-chip -- a radioOne solution that combines radio receiver and transmitter functionalities into a single design using RF CMOS process technology. The innovations will bring basic data and multimedia capabilities to entry-level wireless handsets. QUALCOMM's CDMA2000 1X single-chip solution is expected to sample in the first quarter of calendar 2006. http://www.qualcomm.com

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RADCOM Introduces 3G Video Analyzer

RADCOM introduced a 3G Video Analyzer that can be used to evaluate the quality of the video service delivered by cellular phones operating on various interfaces. The 3G Video Analyzer provides an analysis of video service from the user plane to the core network and physical connection. The company said its product allows wireless device manufacturers and network operators to monitor and troubleshoot high-quality video sessions such as video teleconferencing, video streaming, video-on-demand and interactive video. Specifically, it isolates problems, such as long video setup duration, that cause poor quality video characterized by jerkiness, incorrect audio, blank picture transmission and poor lip synchronization. It functions on various connections such as UMTS and CDMA networks, analyzing video over IP using different IP multimedia signaling protocols. In addition, it synchronizes multiple video playback of MPEG4 and H.263 sessions of all video participants in a single view. http://www.radcom-inc.com

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Lockheed Martin Completes Coalition Multinational Network in Iraq

Lockheed Martin has completed installation of the satellite-based Coalition Multinational Network (CMN) in Iraq. CMN provides satellite-based, bandwidth on-demand services, with high quality voice capabilities and secure broadband data communications for coalition military forces.



Lockheed Martin said the advanced technology utilized in CMN permits direct terminal-to- terminal connectivity using only a single satellite hop, reducing satellite delay by 50%. http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

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LSI Logic Introduces "Z.Voice" VoIP Solutions

LSI Logic launched its line of "Z.Voice" VoIP solutions, including licensable processor cores, standard DSP products, off-the-shelf industry compliant vocoders, bundled device/software packages and reference designs.



LSI's lineup is aimed at low-cost VoIP products supporting from two to 32-channels of voice. Target applications include voice-over-WiFi in cell phones and cordless phones, voice ports in DSL and cable modems, residential gateways and SOHO routers.



The Z.Voice products support a range of vocoders, including G.711, G.729, G.729A/B and G.723.1. http://www.zsp.com/

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